Drooping Leathers...Help!

[MechEng99]

Background first:

I have a 40g long with 265W PC, with a 10g reverse photoperiod sump.

As far as livestock, I have 3 damsels, tons of crabs and snails...and that's the majority.

Params are:

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
PH: 8.2
Calcium: 450
Weekly water changes of 10-20%

Now the problem:

I have a green toadstool (sarcophyton), a sinularia or nepthea (whichever it is), and what I think might be an asparasus leather (really too tiny to tell yet.)

Recently, they've all just started to droop. There are no signs of infection or anything irritating them (like aiptasia or anything else). There is some signs of shedding, but not much. The toadstool is still trying to extend its polyps, but they only extend about half of their normal length.

I have other corals...and now I'm wondering if there's some chemical warfare going on. I have 2 varieties of pulsing Xenia, 2 yellow and red gorgonians, green star polyps, a sun coral, a bubble coral, a trumpet coral, and a frogspawn.

Everything except the three corals above are doing fine. All of the corals are spread far apart (they're all itty bitty), and I've made sure to keep the LPS FAR away from everything else.

I think water flow is fine. I've got 3 pumps inside the tank and the pump inlet/outlet.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance!! You guys are great!

 

[Cubman777]

I used to have the same problem with 2 particular toadstools. (I had 3 at the time, the third never presented a problem). It was so strange, it would happen when I thought everything else in the tank was fine. The toadstools seemed fine, just not, um, well, verile. It went on for about 2 months!!! I still have them today and have actually fragged them and now have SEVEN toadies. Ill be selling 3, but thats besides the point.
I think that the problem may have had something to do with water parameters. For whatever reason, they were not strong enough at the base to hold up their crowns. Just from looking at your listed parameters, I see that your calcium is a little on the high side. I dont think that is the problem, but it may be indicative of the possible problem of low alkalinity. Do you know what your alk is? It is just as important as calcium. The higher your calcium, typically the lower the alkalinity, and vice versa.
Just something to consider. I doubt it is coral warfare.
BTW, if you want your softies to grow like crazy, add a drop or two of Lugol's Solution every week or so. They love it, especially Xenia.

 

[MechEng99]

No, unfortunately I don't have an alk test...yeah yeah, I know, bad me. Life happened as always (ramen noodle college student while aquarium gets shrimp).

I just thought it was weird for my leathers to all droop at once...but nothing else was affected. Weirdness. Thanks for the tips!