toadstool leather not happy

[demonsp]

http://www.asira.org/leathercorals

[dexterphi]

Lance: No Harm, no Foul. I agree things that may seem funny can come off the wrong way in a post. A j/k or can go a long way...... Now back to trying to get some free advice....

MY dKH is 6. I understand it may be low, but how important is it really for "soft" coral (which is all I have)? I've stayed away from sps because all I have is VHO lights and new that softies are easier to keep......

[Aquarist007]

your dKh should be between 8-11 dkH---so dkH of 6 is very low
What is the readings for your calcium, magnesium and pH
and how have you been dosing form them

sorry I know there are bits and pieces of the story in this thread but I get off track with negativism so if you could give me the whole picture again I would appreciate it and maybe able to help

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by demonsp
Goldfish eat flake food. Sorry if i dont beat around the bush. Its a harmless comment. First canada now gold fish hehe. OK im sorry.

Lance, the whole Canadian spelling thing was taken in good fun--not to worry.
A point here-- and I know you do this--just try give your posts something practical the person can go away with and try if they opt to do so-------then if you want to make a joke go for it--usually people are more reseptive to humour that way

I know you from your posts, and I know you are as hard working as I am to helping others out--and there are many others out there that know you too---but the reality of this site is that it is going through an diatom er membership bloom so alot of new people will not know you or your great intentions like the rest of us and therefore will be quick to be offended or to jump all over you

don't be discourgaed buddy, keep up the great work , this site need guys like you

[dexterphi]

Well my PH has been steadily dropping for awhile, I'm at work and don't have my log, but I know back in January it was pushing 8.3. Now it is closer to 8.0.

I don't test for calcium or magnesium. I will try to pick up a test kit today and take a reading.

I don't really dose anything for them either. I always assumed that since I did not try to keep any Hard coral, they were not important (no skeletons to grow, etc). Was I mistaken?

I always kept with regular water changes, occasional feedings of phytoplankton (twice a week normally), my goldfish food (the formula 1 flake that my fish love more than anything else I've tried), and just a week ago I tried some "coral frenzy" coral food.

[tmz]

I assume you are measuring ph at the same time of day . It would be helpful to know the high and low in a 24 hour cycle. Ph changes night lower and day higher. 8.0 is ok .
Test for calcium and alkalinity first. Magnesium is important but less prone to quick changes and can be tested for a bit later is you wish.

If you are doing water changes with a quality salt mix and don't have high consumption ,you may not need to dose very often if at all.

Soft/leather corals do use calcium,magnesium and alkalinity. They don't lay out calcium carbonate(coral skeleton) but they do have bonelike splinters embedded throughout their flesh called sclerites which help them support their body structure.

I do not believe it is necessary to feed them if you are feeding your fish regularly. they are highly autotrophic.

They shed skn from time to time and appear withdrawn and sometimes look wet and shiny during the process. You can help them with good flow. The shed material can be blown off with a turkey baster. The thinking is that they are cleansing themselves of accumulated algae or organic material. The shed skin may be harmful to other corals if allowed to lay on them. Sacrophyton produce many compunds(over 50) many of which have yet to be fully studied or even identified and some of them are toxic. It is prudent to use carbon .

[Michael]

thanks for the info there tom, i have been following this thread and did not know they shed skin, i keep softies and so am grateful for that info,

[tmz]

You are welcome.

[sage_commander]

Originally posted by demonsp
...i was trying to be funny while making a point.

Try again.

[Gary Majchrzak]

Originally posted by tmz
I assume you are measuring ph at the same time of day . It would be helpful to know the high and low in a 24 hour cycle. Ph changes night lower and day higher. 8.0 is ok .
Test for calcium and alkalinity first. Magnesium is important but less prone to quick changes and can be tested for a bit later is you wish.

If you are doing water changes with a quality salt mix and don't have high consumption ,you may not need to dose very often if at all.

Soft/leather corals do use calcium,magnesium and alkalinity. They don't lay out calcium carbonate(coral skeleton) but they do have bonelike splinters embedded throughout their flesh called sclerites which help them support their body structure.

I do not believe it is necessary to feed them if you are feeding your fish regularly. they are highly autotrophic.

They shed skn from time to time and appear withdrawn and sometimes look wet and shiny during the process. You can help them with good flow. The shed material can be blown off with a turkey baster. The thinking is that they are cleansing themselves of accumulated algae or organic material. The shed skin may be harmful to other corals if allowed to lay on them. Sacrophyton produce many compunds(over 50) many of which have yet to be fully studied or even identified and some of them are toxic. It is prudent to use carbon .

bingo- I couldn't have said it better myself, Tom

one last thing to add to this thread:
water changes are a good thing, but it can get expensive trying to maintain alkalinity and calcium levels by simply changing water.
I would highly recommend looking into coming up with an alkalinity and calcium supplementation scheme. There are suggestions for this posted in the RC Reef Chemistry Forum.
"Soft" octocorals can deplete calcium and alkalinity the same way as "stony" hard corals can. They can also handle goldfish food much better