Flow question for a new toadstool

[TehBrainz]

Hello!

So I got a new toadstool leather right before Christmas and it has been slowly getting used to my tank. Had it on the sand for awhile and then moved it up until it grabbed hold of my rock.

I've been watching it expand more and more each day as it's settled and become happy with its new home. The last couple days I've noticed it has been lifting up on one side, is this a flow issue? Too much hitting the right? It doesn't ever seem to retract polyps and at night it slowly settles back down.

Second question is can these release toxins that could affect other coral? I've had noticeable polyp retraction and shrinking on a paly just under and to the left of it (visible in last picture?

Thank you!

 

[VermontReefs]

Following

 

[TehBrainz]

Ok so now I'm wondering if its a reaction to lighting and not the flow...

My blues av been on for about an hour an the flow is the same at the moment (they slow for night cycles based on overall lighting)

Toadstool is back on the rock.

Could this mean the lighting is too intense or not intense enough or is this just what they do? This is obviously my first leather hahah

 

[jassermd]

Toadstools are quite hardy! They will tolerate a lot more than most other corals.
Mine has grown from 4 in frag to a 10in platter in a yr...
They prefer nutrient rich water and moderate flow. Lighting can vary and they will tolerate low-moderate (100 par) to mod-high (200-250 par) lighting. Flow is not as concerning with this coral as it won't tear any flesh or otherwise.
Your toadstool looks really happy. If you're concerned about the side flipping up, you can relocate it. It really won't make much of a difference. They will slowly acclimate to nearly most lighting and most flow.
Of note, toadstools are extremely temperamental. They will close up and retract polyps for weeks on end for the least expected reason. They will also close up when they shed, which can take several days to weeks. Don't fret... as long as your water parameters are within range, you really don't have much to worry about.

 

[TehBrainz]

Toadstools are quite hardy! They will tolerate a lot more than most other corals.
Mine has grown from 4 in frag to a 10in platter in a yr...
They prefer nutrient rich water and moderate flow. Lighting can vary and they will tolerate low-moderate (100 par) to mod-high (200-250 par) lighting. Flow is not as concerning with this coral as it won't tear any flesh or otherwise.
Your toadstool looks really happy. If you're concerned about the side flipping up, you can relocate it. It really won't make much of a difference. They will slowly acclimate to nearly most lighting and most flow.
Of note, toadstools are extremely temperamental. They will close up and retract polyps for weeks on end for the least expected reason. They will also close up when they shed, which can take several days to weeks. Don't fret... as long as your water parameters are within range, you really don't have much to worry about.

Ok, awesome reply! I've never had something that can change this quickly with it standing up or shriveled down when a crab moves across and ticks it off.

Regarding toxicity, do you continuously run carbon or worry about that at all? It seems hit or miss with my quick research. But I do have some palys that have seemingly taken a turn since the introductuon of it to the tank. Correlation isn't causation, but it seems pretty coincidental.

 

[rhostam]

As others have said, they are hardy and will adapt. Don’t move around too much. Let them get settled.

As for question two, yes, the release turpenes that inhibit growth of corals in the immediate vicinity. They close and open up periodically to shed their waxy coating to keep detritus from settling and also while growing.

Place them downstream from other corals is helpful. SPS are notoriously sensitive to the terpenes. I’ve noticed my softies look frumpy sometimes. Carbon will help soak up the chemicals. Changing it out usually corrects the frumpiness.

 

[MaxTremors]

Toadstools like quite a bit of flow and light, I’m guessing it’s reaching toward the light instead of getting blown up by the flow. IME, a firmly attached toadstool likes near SPS level flow (turbulent, random, indirect flow). The tentacles should be waving in the flow.

 

[TehBrainz]

As others have said, they are hardy and will adapt. Don’t move around too much. Let them get settled.

As for question two, yes, the release turpenes that inhibit growth of corals in the immediate vicinity. They close and open up periodically to shed their waxy coating to keep detritus from settling and also while growing.

Place them downstream from other corals is helpful. SPS are notoriously sensitive to the terpenes. I’ve noticed my softies look frumpy sometimes. Carbon will help soak up the chemicals. Changing it out usually corrects the frumpiness.

Is there any way to measure the turpenes or just an empirical method with changing out carbon? I've refreshed the carbon from a couple weeks ago and will try to make it more routine. Scheduled WC coming up too so that should help if this is the cause of the "frumpies"

 

[rhostam]

Is there any way to measure the turpenes or just an empirical method with changing out carbon? I've refreshed the carbon from a couple weeks ago and will try to make it more routine. Scheduled WC coming up too so that should help if this is the cause of the "frumpies"

That’sa great question! No, I’m not aware of any way to measure it.

 

[TehBrainz]

That’sa great question! No, I’m not aware of any way to measure it.

Carbon and WC it is then! That paly is on the "return" portion if the flow on that side of the tank so it gets some eater right off the toadstool. It very well could be the reason since nothing else is looking affected.

I've got some new zoas/palys from Joe's sale yesterday so they'll go at the other end of the tank!

 

[jassermd]

Agree with the turpines. And as they get larger, so does the challenge... I routinely run carbon and change it every 2 weeks.
All my acans and montis that were immediately down stream from the flow never did well...
And yes, anytime a crab walks across the cap, it will retract. If you're lucky, it will be for that afternoon only.