Leather Coral "sick"?

[mrs.som]

Hi Guys,
I'm worried about my leather coral...it hasn't extended its polyps in at least two weeks. It did shed a layer today, but I'm just concerned that it has been so long since it's looked like it does in my avatar. Is it possible it is responding to the new bulbs I put in? I replaced both of the bulbs about 3 weeks ago, forgetting you aren't supposed to do them all at once. As far as I can tell, the water parameters are the same, except for the fact I introduced a bag of Fluval phosphate, nitrite and nitrate filter material about 3 weeks ago as well. I don't have a phosphate test kit but the nitrates are down by half of what they were. I wouldn't think lower phosphates and nitrates would cause this but...?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[XSiVE]

looks like it's a little bleached out to me, it could be the pic but if thats the case it is probably because of the new more intense bulbs.. I suggest cutting back the amount they are on per day for a bit.

[mrs.som]

Originally Posted by XSiVE

looks like it's a little bleached out to me, it could be the pic but if thats the case it is probably because of the new more intense bulbs.. I suggest cutting back the amount they are on per day for a bit.

Ok, I will do that. Yes, it does look like that in real life, "pale" or bleached as you say. I would put one of the old bulbs back, but I don't like unscrewing and rescrewing the light cover too much, I'm afraid I'll break something. Right now the actinic are on for 10 hrs and the whites for 8 hours. Would 8 and 6 be better then or should I reduce it even more?

Thanks!

[XSiVE]

definitely don't put the old bulbs back, that will lead to algae issues. 6/8 is probably a good place to start.. If it's lightened in color then it's going to take some time to rebuild its zooxanthele population. Im no expert on soft corals so I don't know how long it will take to heal but id guess it will be fine if you give it some time.

[mrs.som]

Originally Posted by XSiVE

definitely don't put the old bulbs back, that will lead to algae issues. 6/8 is probably a good place to start.. If it's lightened in color then it's going to take some time to rebuild its zooxanthele population. Im no expert on soft corals so I don't know how long it will take to heal but id guess it will be fine if you give it some time.

Wow, I just wiki-ed "Zooxanthele" and now I feel bad. Looks like my eagerness for new bulbs resulted in a genocide Hopefully the light reduction will help. Thanks again for the help!

[rmalone]

Eh, you just shocked it a bit, move it to a spot with a touch more shade and it should come back around.

[mrs.som]

Originally Posted by rmalone

Eh, you just shocked it a bit, move it to a spot with a touch more shade and it should come back around.

Ok, sounds like a good idea...thanks everyone!

[jimsflies]

It'll likely be ok. Leathers are pretty tough but can be temperamental and "shut down" like that for awhile. Usually when they perk up, it's almost like they are shedding.

If you feel your lights are too intense try putting a couple layers of screen over that area of the tank till it acclimates. We have a nice featured article about this very subject.

[mrs.som]

Originally Posted by jimsflies

It'll likely be ok. Leathers are pretty tough but can be temperamental and "shut down" like that for awhile. Usually when they perk up, it's almost like they are shedding.

If you feel your lights are too intense try putting a couple layers of screen over that area of the tank till it acclimates. We have a nice featured article about this very subject.

Thanks for the input Jim! Unfortunately I do not have any screen around and no moola to purchase any. What I ended up doing though was reduce the light hours and pushed the coral's rock into the sand so it is now about an inch further away from the lights than it was before. Hopefully that helps.

[schminksbro]

While it is possible that you light shocked the coral it is very common for leathers to shut down and "shed" as Jim said. The rid themselves of debris and open up nicer than ever. In some cases they can shut down for extended periods of time but almost always reopen. As long as you don't see tissue recession just be patient.