Leather Coral Problem/Question

Hi everyone,
I am new to the saltwater aquarium world but i took over a friend of mines aquarium. I have a few questions about the corals:
1. He has these corals that he calls leather corals but i dont know what to call them?
2. One of them looks like it is splitting, it is connected to one big rock and one little rock, what should i do about it?
3. How come some have these brown little "hairs" and some don't? is something eating them?

 

Welcome to 3reef,

Common name if finger leather corals.

It appears you have some algae issue going on. The types of algae I am seeing in your images is usually related to elevated nitrate and phosphate levels and older bulbs as well.

The brown hairs may just be the coral opening. Both look closed in some of the images.

I agree that one is in the process of splitting/reproduction via fission.

 

Is the red that is on them normal?

 

No that looks to be cyanobacteria.

Do you have any current parameters for nitrates and phosphates?

Can you post your filtration system if you would like assistance with regard to the algae and the type of lighting as well.

 

You look to be having a lot of algae problems in that tank. You should try to get the phosphate & nitrate levels down. IME the red on the coral is not normal, and the finger leathers appear to be closed.
What kind of lighting do you have on the tank?
What size tank is it?
How old is the tank?
Those are some questions to start with, but any other information about the tank would be helpful.
HTH
JJL

 

No the red is something called cyanobacteria...that's some of "algae issues" mentioned above.

 

Altogether now, LOL!

 

I have a 55gallon tank that i got from a friend that i dont think did much upkeep.
Ive had it in my posession for about 3 weeks now
I have a wet dry filter with a protein skimmer and the live rock you guys see.
The lighting i have is one ballast going to 2 bulbs. each is 96w, square pin, with 4 bulbs joined together (actinic and florescent).
Please give me some recommendations on how to fix my problem. I dont know what my phosphate levels are, but at the fish store 3 days ago they said nitrates are fine.