leather trouble

I added a tree leather about 5-6 weeks ago. For about 1 week after it was closed and shrunk up. It then opened up for about 1 week. It then was full sized and open on on and off for about 2 weeks. For the last 1-2 weeks it has been shriveled up and closed with only a little polyp extension every few days. My long polyp toadstool and kenya trees are thriving. My yellow leather is up and down, but recently has been doing worse. I just increased the flow in hopes it would help. It doesn't make sense that some leathers are thriving and others not. Parameters are Ammonia 0ppm, Nitrite 0ppm, SG 1.024, Nitrate 5-10ppm, pH 8.2-8.3. I do dose Iodine, Calcium, Strontium and Molybdenum. I don't yet have test kits for these, but I know I havn't OD'd the tank on them or nothing would be thriving. Thoughts?

 

how do you know you havent OD'd the tank if you dont have test kits? as long as you do regular water changes you shouldnt have to dose with anything with what you have.

 

I shouldn't say I know, I should say I'm reasonably sure. I'm saying I think that ODing the tank would result in everything being stressed out, not just 2 corals.

 

not if those corals in ur tank have grown used to the conditions. i would stop dosing with anything, do a water change, and wait. dosing with iodine can be a double edged sword. what are the cal levels at? alk?

 

+1 on stopping the dosing. Use a high quality salt mix, it will have everything you need. And it might not be that you've full-blown overdosed *yet*, it could be that you are getting to that edge and the sensitive corals to it are now stressing

 

I'll try that. My LFS loves to give people as many expensive things as they can and say they need them. If/when I venture into LPS, will those corals need dosing?

 

I think it really depends on how many you have. I have 3 1/2 heads of Torch in my little 40 gallon. Its started as 2 heads, and its only been a couple of months at most. I have never dosed anything. I just do weekly 10-15% water changes

 

NEVER dose what you cannot test for. Especially iodine. So, as previously stated, cease and desist from dosing until you get your test kits. If you are going to keep a reef tank you need the following test kits: NH4, NO2, NO3, pH, Ca, Mg, ALK, I, PO4. PL is right about the high quality salt mix. RM is correct about the water change. I would venture to say a 20-30% is what is needed at this point to bring things back into perspective.

Most aquarists do not dose iodine at all. It is supplied with the various reef mixes that are out on the market.

As far as the corals go.....each coral has it's limit. Your newest addition is feeling it the most.....take it as a sign.

Peace brother....things will be soooooo much easier when you know what the actual values are.