Grumpy leather coral

Discussion in 'Soft Corals' started by catchprj, Apr 23, 2011.

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  1. catchprj

    catchprj Astrea Snail

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    How long would you expect a new leather coral to sulk when moved to a new tank? I purchased a leather coral 2 days ago, and on the first day it opened up and looked fantastic, but next couple of days have seen it halve in size and not extend any polyps. Is this normal?
     
    catchprj, Apr 23, 2011
    catchprj, Apr 23, 2011
    #1

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  2. leighton1245

    leighton1245 Horrid Stonefish

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    It takes a bit for polyps to fully come out but for half size what color is it and is it droopy? A picture might help out some.
     
    leighton1245, Apr 23, 2011
    leighton1245, Apr 23, 2011
    #2
  3. catchprj

    catchprj Astrea Snail

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    It's not droopy, just all clenched up.
    Here is a picture about 1 hour after putting it in my tank (about 2pm 22/4):
    [​IMG]
    And just now (1:30pm, 24/4)
    [​IMG]
     
    catchprj, Apr 23, 2011
    catchprj, Apr 23, 2011
    #3
  4. leighton1245

    leighton1245 Horrid Stonefish

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    what kind of flow is it in and where did you place it in the tank?
     
    leighton1245, Apr 23, 2011
    leighton1245, Apr 23, 2011
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  5. catchprj

    catchprj Astrea Snail

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    It is in medium flow. I guess medium is subjective. I have a 12,000LPH vibration pump in a 250L tank. The pump is not directed at the leather coral but the whole coral wobbles a little in the flow. It is about 30cm from the surface of a 55cm deep tank. Lighting is 150W CF 6,500K + 44W CF 20,000K.
     
    catchprj, Apr 23, 2011
    catchprj, Apr 23, 2011
    #5
  6. leighton1245

    leighton1245 Horrid Stonefish

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    I know that my leather likes to be about half way up in my tank. I have also found that if you move them to high the will open up real wide and if they are to low they will close up. IMO that looks like what your is doing the flow sounds correct. You might try to move it up some and see how it likes it.
     
    leighton1245, Apr 23, 2011
    leighton1245, Apr 23, 2011
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  7. catchprj

    catchprj Astrea Snail

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    By the way, this is a leather isn't it? It was sold to me as a 'soft finger coral'.
     
    catchprj, Apr 23, 2011
    catchprj, Apr 23, 2011
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  8. JJL

    JJL Purple Tang

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    Yes it is a finger leather coral. Give it more flow then give it some time,and see how it goes.
    Good Luck :)
    JJL
     
    JJL, Apr 23, 2011
    JJL, Apr 23, 2011
    #8
  9. catchprj

    catchprj Astrea Snail

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    So things haven't got any better. The leather hasn't changed since I took the previous photo 4 days ago. Looking at it this afternoon it had a bit of fuzzy algae growing on it so I did what JJL suggested and moved it to an area of higher flow. In the last 3 hours it has started to become less rigid. It is now leaning away from the flow and beginning to bend slightly.
    I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong (if anything). Should I be worried?
     
    catchprj, Apr 28, 2011
    catchprj, Apr 28, 2011
    #9
  10. leighton1245

    leighton1245 Horrid Stonefish

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    Just to get a better grasp on where its at in your tank can you post a full tank shot ill attach a pic of mine where its located.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    This is some of what it should look like just so you know. I hope it helps
     
    leighton1245, Apr 28, 2011
    leighton1245, Apr 28, 2011
    #10