Not sure if new lens is right

[Reflective]

So my dad got me a new camera lens to try to take photos of my coral, but I'm not sure it's the right one for taking those close up kind of shots everyone drools over?
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras - White Box
I still can't seem to get REALLY close to the subject, and when I import it and view it at full size the photos seem grainy.
If I just need more practice, that's fine, I just don't want to be spending a lot of time trying to get photos that I would never be able to get with the wrong lens.

 

[Ed Urias]

try a macro lens or a reverse adapter that lets your reverse your lens to convert any lens into a macro.

 

[Reflective]

This does say macro on it but I think that's because it has a macro range, not sure if that's different than something like
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Fixed Lens for Canon SLR Cameras.

I did try a reverse adapter and if something wasn't right up against the glass, I couldn't get it to focus and all my stuff is at least 6-8" back .