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hey ned, i was just wondering...i have a toadstool coral that is "flaking" quite a bit around the edges of the crown. I had it for like...4 days and the polyps opened up and it looked really healthy, but yesterday, it retracted all of its polyps and this thin white mucus is covering the crown and the edges of the crown have started flaking a bit (When i try moving the toadstool, it looks like it is snowing in my tank). I've kept an eye on it for the past 3 days but the polyps havent opened up yet and it is still flaking.

is this normal? if not, what should i do to help improve it's condition?

I have other corals and they all are doing great. My toadstool is the only one that has been acting weird.


Parameters:

pH-8.4
82 degrees F
ammonia-0 ppm
nitrite-0 ppm
nitrate-very low (.20 or 20, whatever is next to 0 ppm on the test kit)

2 55W bulbs, 1 actinic, the other 6700K
i give calcium, strontium, and iodine supplements (recommended doses)

green tree coral, mushroom coral, green star polyps, clove polyps and just 1 ocellaris clown along with 4 astrea snails, 4 blue leg hermits, 4 red leg hermits, 1 big red leg hermit

38 lbs of fiji live rock

all in a 29 gallon tank.

hey ned, i was just wondering...i have a toadstool coral that is "flaking" quite a bit around the edges of the crown. I had it for like...4 days and the polyps opened up and it looked really healthy, but yesterday, it retracted all of its polyps and this thin white mucus is covering the crown and the edges of the crown have started flaking a bit (When i try moving the toadstool, it looks like it is snowing in my tank). I've kept an eye on it for the past 3 days but the polyps havent opened up yet and it is still flaking.

is this normal? if not, what should i do to help improve it's condition?

I have other corals and they all are doing great. My toadstool is the only one that has been acting weird.


Parameters:

pH-8.4
82 degrees F
ammonia-0 ppm
nitrite-0 ppm
nitrate-very low (.20 or 20, whatever is next to 0 ppm on the test kit)

2 55W bulbs, 1 actinic, the other 6700K
i give calcium, strontium, and iodine supplements (recommended doses)

green tree coral, mushroom coral, green star polyps, clove polyps and just 1 ocellaris clown along with 4 astrea snails, 4 blue leg hermits, 4 red leg hermits, 1 big red leg hermit

It is NOT abnormal for the toadstool to retract its polyps
or throw a little mucus from time to time.
The "flaking" kind of concerns me.
Did you buy it from us?
1st thing, give the tank a 30% water change.
Discontinue both strontium & Iodine temporarily.
Increase frequency of calcium, but NOT dosage of calium.
Also check tank for tiny white starfish.
Is it very close to the mushroom?
82 is a little warm.

nah, i bought it off some guy that was taking down his tank. And its about 7 inches from the mushrooms. Is that too close? i already did a water change, but ill stop using the iodine and strontium.

mushrooms are actually anemones
which might sting
which is why I mentioned it
7" away is certainly not the problem

change another 15% of the water in maybe 2 days

can't hurt

no tiny starfish?
they're about half the size of your pinky fingernail...
they EAT leather corals!
you get rid of them with a harlequin shrimp
(which can also eat nice starfish)

most likely
your new toadstool leather coral is just adjusting to the new tank

for sure...watch the heat
75 degrees F
would be ideal
83 degrees F can be fatal

you didn't mention your water pumps...
can't hurt to SLIGHTLY increase the flow over the affected toadstool leather

nah, no tiny starfish. I have 2 powerheads, one is a powerhead 802 running on its lowest and a powerhead 402, and 2 canister filters, a H.O.T magnum, and a Magnum 350. Although it does seem much, everything else in the tank is opened fully, even the mushrooms so i dont think water movement is an issue. But ill try all of your suggestions and maybe with some luck itll open up.

I actually have another question, i have been getting red slime algae all over the place and i cant control it! its growing on the rocks, the sand, everything! I siphon up the stuff as much as i can, but it all comes back by the next day. What can i get to help control this stuff?

And lastly, how much lighting does a flower anemone need? I really want one but im not sure if i have the requirements for one.

I actually have another question, i have been getting red slime algae all over the place and i cant control it! its growing on the rocks, the sand, everything! I siphon up the stuff as much as i can, but it all comes back by the next day. What can i get to help control this stuff?
I suspect your source water has low level nitrate or phosphate...
you might want to switch to R.O. water.
We sell R.O. equipment, and R.O. water.
We also sell phosphate & nitrate absorbing filter pads,
but I doubt these would be a permanent solution.

And lastly, how much lighting does a flower anemone need? I really want one but im not sure if i have the requirements for one.
I think, it's a highly carnivorous anemone, if so,
it needs medium light (2.5 watts per gallon)
and weekly feedings.
By the way,
when keeping anemones with corals,
be careful they don't touch.

thanks ned. do you have any flower anemones by any chance?

and how much is your r.o. water and r.o. machines or what not?

I have 1 anemone in stock
don't exactly know the name of it
but it's looking good
it's $25

we charge 50 cents per gallon for RO water

shortly I'll put a post in "equipment pricing"
for the units