Finger leather shrunk and not opening...

[John A!10]

The title basically says it. Here are my params:
Salinity: 1.025
Phosphate: 0.10
Nitrite and ammoni:0
Alk:8
Calcium:380
Nitrate: 0 (I’m getting a new test kit, as this one is almost out) readings could be wrong.
magnesium:1410
Ph:8.1

It shed a week ago so I don’t think it’s that. It opened up and then slowly started closing again. It gets medium lighting, and medium high flow.

 

[Bossman]

Looks like a devil's hand? Mine shrinks up now and again. As well as my other leathers. Not always a rhyme or reason. I wouldn't worry yet.

 

[John A!10]

Looks like a devil's hand? Mine shrinks up now and again. As well as my other leathers. Not always a rhyme or reason. I wouldn't worry yet.

When should I start worrying? It’s been two days since fully open and it was shedding for a whole week before that. (Closed)

 

[DeniseAndy]

Honestly, I had one that closed up for over a month. It was mad at me. I kept messing in the tank on and off. AS long as you do not see decay or black skin, you should be fine. Leathers like a bit of food in the water column. The tank looks young, so maybe do some broadcast feeds with coral frenzy type foods.
Give it time.

 

[MohrReefs]

Probably low nitrates if the test is accurate. What brand do you use to test?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Shedding may be occurring and causing this. First recourse-
Take a turkey baster and give the leather gentle bursts of water. Assure the following below are met. With a few zero readings, by chance are you using API test kits ?
Location, they do best at mid tank in path of water flow.
Temp 77-79
salinity 1.024 - 1.025
ph 8.0-8.3
ammonia < .03
Nitrate < .04
Phosphate < .04

 

[John A!10]

Honestly, I had one that closed up for over a month. It was mad at me. I kept messing in the tank on and off. AS long as you do not see decay or black skin, you should be fine. Leathers like a bit of food in the water column. The tank looks young, so maybe do some broadcast feeds with coral frenzy type foods.
Give it time.

Phytoplankton?

 

[John A!10]

Probably low nitrates if the test is accurate. What brand do you use to test?

API. Usually it’s accurate. I am at the last drops now so not sure if it’s accurate.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Sure. Phyto, zoo, rotifers, any of the small foods for corals. They also like it when you blow off rocks and sand disturbance. Not like a hurricane, just a bit here and there. Clams like it too. Stir up the nutrients a bit.

 

[John A!10]

Shedding may be occurring and causing this. First recourse-
Take a turkey baster and give the leather gentle bursts of water. Assure the following below are met. With a few zero readings, by chance are you using API test kits ?
Location, they do best at mid tank in path of water flow.
Temp 77-79
salinity 1.024 - 1.025
ph 8.0-8.3
ammonia < .03
Nitrate < .04
Phosphate < .04

I know my phosphate is high. I’m running gfo. It shed last week, so I don’t think it’s shedding again.

 

[John A!10]

How could I raise my nitrates? I feel like my chaeto has been doing a good job with phosphate but also eating up all the nitrates. Should I feed more? Or cut half of my chaeto?

 

[DeniseAndy]

Increase feedings will work, harvesting chaeto is good to do weekly. Just depends on what you have in there. Balance is key.

 

[John A!10]

As far as the leather goes what could be causing this? The low nitrates?

 

[DeniseAndy]

Maybe you looked at it wrong. Seriously, they are that finicky at times. They will respond quickly to changes in the water chemistry. They also tolerate a lot of change. They are very hardy corals generally. I bet in about 2 weeks it will be full polyp out and fine. Granted, this is if your water stays stable, get some food in there and the light is about mid levelish and the flow is good.

 

[DeniseAndy]

For now, test the water at different times of the day.

Breathe in, hold, breathe out. Then smile. You are caring for living creatures that most people do not even comprehend. Well done!

 

[John A!10]

For now, test the water at different times of the day.

Breathe in, hold, breathe out. Then smile. You are caring for living creatures that most people do not even comprehend. Well done!

Thanks. I will do my best to stay on top of testing as much as possible.

 

[vetteguy53081]

GFO may very well be affecting it as ferris Oxide is very strong

 

[John A!10]

GFO may very well be affecting it as ferris Oxide is very strong

Using very little. I’ll remove it today.

 

[John A!10]

Still nothing should I do a water change? My gsp and Xenia are fine.

 

[John A!10]

Help! It’s shriveling up now should I move it to an area with was flow and light?