Cynarina issues

[Alittlefishy]

I have a great brain, but lately it has been acting weird. I've had it since mid-Feb, and it is fully expanded everyday. I started out feeding it every other day, and in the last month have weened it to once a week with no drop in results. I always feed a small piece of jumbo krill. I went on vacation last week for 6 days, and returned to find the brain closed up tight. I have 2 fish in the tank: a 6-line that is a pest when I feed the brain, and a bi-color blenny that I just got 2 weeks ago. Since my return, the brain eats, but does not fully expand. I have noticed that the blenny tends to pick at the brain after feeding. Has anyone else had a bi-color mess with their corals? He doesn't seem to bother any of the others. In the meantime, I have built a cage out of lighting grate that I put around the brain with room for it to expand. I did get the brain to puff up yesterday after feeding, but he deflated a short time later. Any ideas to return my cynarina to her former glory?

[ckusnierek]

tank specs?
size
lighting
filtration
how old?

All these will help....
Did it start around the same time you got the blenny?
It could be picking algea from the base of the brain and upsetting it?

[ckusnierek]

Is I see you have a Aquapod 24.
is that with the PC or MH lighting?

If PC you may be in trouble long term. that brain probally requires more light than just 64W in a 17.5" deep tank. If you do have the PC's that could explain soo much extension. It's just trying to eat (light)

IMO there are only a few corals (suns etc.) that "need" feeding to survive and thrive. all they really need is light..and a proper enviroment

[Alittlefishy]

The pod is upgraded to a 96Watt corallife 50/50 bulb. The filtration is a magnum 250HOT with carbon only. This setup was planned to be permanent, but I have happened upon a deal for a 75RR setup with 6xT-5 lighting. I should be getting that either in Jun or Jul. Today things seem to be better though. As I said before, I made a cage around the brain in an attempt to keep the fish from picking at it. It seems to be working. My brain was open about 75% all day long. I did feed a combo of Reef Fuel/DT's Phyto/Kent ZooPlex/Cyclopseeze the evening since it had it's tentacles out and mouth partially open. I think the problems stemmed from a combination of lack of feeding, being picked at by the blenny, and maybe even a little water quality issues during my vacation. I've done (2) 4 gal water changes with my new RO system and the usual kent salt since I've been home. Hopefully I can get this brain back to it's full glory.