Macro almost did me!

[Jollymon]

I came home from work and found my forest of long feather almost bleached. I had been putting off thinning it out, as my tank was doing very well. This is a sumpless 30 with a Remora Pro/ Mag 3. Yesterday it was vivid green. This stuff can get you in trouble fast! I pulled all the nasty out and left a few sprigs in that looked good. Tank is lightly stocked at this time. I will look into getting a fuge this weekend (and watching it closely!) :shock:

[Pineapple House]

A couple reasons this could happen:


My first guess, would be that there is a parasetic snail living in the coral. Rapa Rapa snails are known for burrowing into leather corals. The Rapa rapa snail, is from the group Coralliophilidae. Look for any holes in it, and check it good, there might be one of these snails eating off your leather. They will slowly suck the life out of the coral, until there is nothing left. Heres a pic I found of one:
http://www.saltreef.com/images/bigth-tskiller02.jpg



One of your water parimeters went off the scale in the last day or so. Check ammonia, nitrite, copper, alk, and calcium. Those are known for affecting leathers. Nitrate doesn't have much of a affect on the coral, but high amounts of it can be harfull.

Did you recently add any corals to the tank? Leathers are known for secreting a toxic substance for corals that are too close to eachother. This toxin can easily kill a coral over 9 inches away from it. This is a defence, that the coral might be taking over its area. Leathers are known for there swaying "hands" that move around with the current.

Another reason, would be that something is bothering it teribly. Did you add any new fish to the tank?

Those were just some reasons that it might be acting up. Hope it gets better!

PH =)

[Jollymon]

Thanks Pineapple House, but I was referring to the Macro Algae Caulerpa Mexicana. I have a sumpless system and was growing it in tank. My corals and my cherub angelfish look good. Parameters are within range. Macroalgae do this if not pruned on a regular basis. I am thinking about a hang on refugium to grow it in, so I can prune it without disturbing the main tank. :)

[Pineapple House]

opps! Sorry about that. I didn't read the 'macro' part :oops: Well, I guess my post still has some use, in case someone's leather is having problems :)

PH =)

[Zack]

Hey jollyman
i was looking into those and found one at drfoter and smith. Anyway they were a great deal. I decided to just use a regular sump or I should sy a refugima. I like the extra com,fert haveing that extra tank whatever you do good luck :D

[EastCoastClams]

Jollymon,

Maybe look into getting some chaetomorph algae. If you are using this for nutrient export it is the absolute best in my opinion. It grows fast and does not go sexual.

here is a pic.

http://pages.zdnet.com/holeinone1972/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/spaghettimacro.jpg.w300h124.jpg

[Irisservice]

EastCoastClams
Where can i get some chaetomorph algae?

[Jollymon]

I have heard that people have good luck with the chaetomorph variety. The long feather I have came on a colony of zoos. Just started to take over, as I don't have any herbivorous fish. I like the look of it in small quantities. Growing any macro in the display is kind of a PIA! Looking to maybe add a refugium. Still undecided on that.

[BigE]

That chaetomorph algae sounds pretty good. If anyone knows where to get some I'd be eternally greatfull.

[BigE]

I just read an article I found (on RC) stating the chaetomorph algae is also known as Spagetti algae and is for sale on http://www.ffexpress.com[/url]