devil's hand/finger leather question/prob

[trailer]

Hey all,

Just picked up a finger/devil's hand leather at the LFS yesterday and I have a few questions. Here at the tank specs:

47 column tank (33" tall")
50 lbs of LR in an arch shape
2" aragonite/LS sand bed
Aquaclear 110 HOB filter (soon to be a modified fuge w/ cheato)
96w PC lights 50/50
PH: 8.0
Amm: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 20 ppm

I placed the coral on the top of the arch so it is about 12" away from the light and i aimed a powerhead at it so it has flow. my questions are:
1. how long does it take them to attach to the rock work?
2. can they cohabitate with macros which i will be adding for nutrient export and seahorse hitches?
3. if so, will the trace elements for the coral have any effect on the macros?

i tried searching here, SWF.com and wet web media but could not find much to answer these questions. this is my first coral and i want to make sure i am doing everything right. thanks for any help.

 

[Murph72]

Your coral actually shouldn't need that heavy of water flow, but as long as it doesn' mind the flow that's fine. Is it opening up for you?

The coral will probably attach with a few weeks, depending on how happy he is in his new environment. The water flow shouldn't move him off of the base where you wish him to attach or he won't be able to. If the water is rocking the coral, you may wish to give him low water movement until he has securely attached.

The coral will be fine with the macro as long as the macro doesn't grow into its space and starve it of light. Macros tend to get out of hand, so you'll just want to keep it from smothering the leather. As far as the leather hurting the macro, I certainly wouldn't worry about that. The only thing that hurts macro seems to be a group of hungry tangs

 

[trailer]

i did move the PH off of him and i secured him to the LR with aquarium putty. his "fingers" are extended and open but the little protrusions that come out (sorry, i cant remember the name right now) have not been seen yet. he seems to be pretty happy under the PC as his color has remained the same and has not inverted himself like i have seen leathers do. i am excited to see him thrive. i was under the impression that they attach within a couple of hours but i guess i was way off.