Toadstool Leather a good 1st coral?

[papania]

I was going to get a toadstool leather as my first coral for a couple reasons.

1 - I have a pair of percs and I have read they will also host the leathers without a problem. (trying to avoid the pains of an anenome)

2 - I have also read that they are not too dificult to keep.


tank perameters are perfect except nitrates are at 10, but I am hoping my caulerpa in fuge will fix that shortly.

Good water flow

250W DE MH

44g


let me know what you think?

thanks

 

[sir_dudeguy]

I highly doubt nitrates at 10 would give a toadstool any problems. Mine have tolerated (ok, thrived lol) with nitrates higher than 20. Toadstools are pretty tough corals...the more light the better in most cases (and you seem to have PLENTY of that).

clowns do go for them quite often, but as with anything, anemones included, it will be hit or miss, or they may not take to it right away. They may prefer the powerhead in the corner for 2 years, and then for whatever reason decide that they like that toadstool thats also been in the tank with them for 2 years (like my clowns did lol)

my black ocellaris always loved my regular toadstool, and my aunt's true percs like her green toadstool (which was also mine before)

 

[papania]

since I have so much light should I place the leather towards the bottom?

I have my MH about 12" off the top.

My clowns are currently "hosting" a crevis in one of the rocks. Somethimes if I make a big noise around the tank they will go behind the heater, but for the most part it seems they really want to host something

 

[sir_dudeguy]

With MH, i'd start everything at the bottom (specially with that strong of a MH over that small of a tank), and then gradually move it up. But my toadstools always did just fine at the bottom. I had 2 in that tank, one green and one like you see there. I had 4x39w t5 HO over a 40 breeder. So i had lots of light, but not anywhere near as much as you've got.

But ya, i'd put it at the bottom and see what it does from there. If it still looks like the base is stretching towards the light after a couple weeks or so, maybe move it up a bit.

 

[papania]

thank you for the advise

 

[lancer99]

Well I disagree, based on my experience Leathers can take (and will love) lots of light...I think it will be happy anywhere in your tank.

-R

 

[papania]

I bought the leather two days ago, I put it on the bottom of the tank and it opened up after about 2 hours. It looks like it is doing really well, I guess my question would be how do I know if I need to move it higher? What signs should I look for?

Still waiting for my clown to host it though! She has been just swimming and staring at it constantly butt just hasn't braved up and journeyed to it...........although my Eibli Angelfish was very curious right away. although she is our latest addition and the queen of our tank

thanks,

 

[sir_dudeguy]

how do I know if I need to move it higher? What signs should I look for?

Oh and as for the clown, just give it time. It usually wont happen right away...sometimes it can take months before they go for the coral.

If you see the base of it stretching towards the light. I doubt you will because you've got lots of light so it should be fine anywhere. Oh, i forgot to mention, make sure you have lots of flow. Mine loved the high flow that i had.

Well I disagree, based on my experience Leathers can take (and will love) lots of light...I think it will be happy anywhere in your tank.

Toadstools are pretty tough corals...the more light the better in most cases (and you seem to have PLENTY of that).

 

[papania]

thanks dudeguy, I will try to get a picture up later today after work

 

[singold]

Good light and good flow for Toadstools.

 

[papania]

It has been almost 2 weeks since I have added the toadstool and it has opened so nicely it looks much better than it was in the LFS. I am very satisfied with the selection. When I am not too lazy I will provide you a picture shortly.

Thank you everyone for the advice