My leather coral question?

[Harold Edwards]

This leather coral use to open up more, Is it getting to much light? The top of the coral is about 8" from the water surface and the light is about 10" above the water, lighting is one bulb 250w metal halide. The coral Is directly under the light. If I move it farther from the light will it open more?

[fsn77]

That could be too much light for it, especially if it wasn't under MH lighting before you got it. Did you start it out further from the light when you first put it in your tank, or just place it there from the beginning? It's it's been there all along, it's probably struggling to adjust to the more intense light. I'd suggest trying to acclimate it more to your lighting -- move it lower in the tank for a week or so and see if it improves, then gradually move it up a little higher in the tank each week until it ends up where you want it (as long as it continues to open up at each level).

[Flamehawk365]

I think the lighting is too bright and I think its too close to the top of the tank.

[Harold Edwards]

It has always been in that spot, I will move it down and see what happens.
When i bought it, It was in a 300 gallon tank with mh lighting but on the bottom.
What kind of flow would you recommend?
Thanks for the feedback

[fsn77]

Since it was on the bottom in the previous tank with MH, I think your lighting is too bright for it, at least without being slowly acclimated to that position. If you slowly let it adjust to your lighting, starting from the bottom and moving it up, it could still be possible for you to have it in that spot. Trial and error will really be the only definite way to determine how high up it can be moved and be happy.

Moderate flow works well for most leathers. The flow should be enough to prevent any detritus from settling on it and aid in removing any mucus it tries to shed.

[coralfarm123]

I agree flow if the key for the health of leathers. If you acclimated to the light it should not be the issue.

[Harold Edwards]

Thanks I just moved it to the buttom. will see what happens.

[sukie80]

Nice piece - keep us updated on progress.

[Harold Edwards]

Here is a new picture of the leather. The leather was moved to the bottom of the tank and it started to look worse, so I moved it back up to the same height that it was at first and about 10" to the right in the tank. what could be wrong with it?

[Harold Edwards]

anyone!

[Harold Edwards]

Hello

[widefx]

Well this is what I would do.
The lighting is not to much for you leather. Mine is up towards the top of the tank under 400w 14k bulbs.
I would give it some more flow.
Also there are times where mine will look bad for about a week or 2 then it sheds it skin then looks great again. During this time I blow it with a turkey baster a couple time a day.

Is it possible what I see on the same rock is a small aptasia if it is leathers dont handle there sting very well.

[lachrimae]

what are your water parameters?

how much flow do you have?

[Harold Edwards]

widefx I do not have any aptasia, Thanks for the feedback
here is my parameters Nitrate-0, nitrite-0, Ammonia-0, PH-8.1, Calcium-450, Alkalinity-4.0meq/L, mag-1325
I have plenty of flow in my tank, i have a mag 9.5 on a wave maker. and this is a 46 bowfront.

[bllfish]

Just leave it alone for a few weeks. It should be fine. I agree with the flow comments and widefx.

[lachrimae]

Agreed, based upon your parameters/flow, it should get better if you don't move it around anymore.
I have a Sinularia Flexibis that looked like crap for about a month before improving and it's one of the healthiest looking corals in my tank now (a year later)...

[Harold Edwards]

Thanks to all