What's wrong with my leather corals?

[mrcrabs]

I recently did a 10% water change on my tank as I always do once a month. I only use RO/DI water, and the cartridges are new. Ever since the water change, none my leather corals will open. It has been four days and all of them are still closed and not showing any signs of opening. One of them looks like it has white spots on it. The makup water matched the tank water specs. All of my other corals are doing fine and look great. What would cause my leathers to react this way? Are they dead? Please help.

 

[berkeleyfishboi]

I have a toadstool and a finger leather. I've had them for about 3 months now. There are times when the finger leather won't have its polyps come out for like 3 days. Then the next day, they'll come out. The toadstool usually, at most, will not come out for a day. I don't know what's going on either but I wouldn't give up on them as being dead.

 

[naesco]

Try putting more flow on them from your powerhead. That will likely 'awaken' them

 

[mrcrabs]

Thanks, berkeleyfishboi. I have had these leathers in my tank for about 1 1/2 years. I have never seen them closed for this long. That is what has me concerned. They just look closed. There is nothing pealing or sloughing off of them. Something is up. I just don't know what caused them to close. They are usually fully open and look great.

 

[bowfront]

Your leathers are just closed up not dead. Ive got several dozen toadstools of assorted sizes in my tank. I've seen them all close at the same time for extended periods (once or twice as long as several weeks). Usually in my case this has been a water quality problem. Dry pellet phosphate removal products such as Phosguard or the similar Kent product always do this IME. It's nerve wracking but at least in my case all have pulled through and opened back up. Not sure what to suggest in your case. I normally do some water changes but if your makeup water is suspect you could be perpetuationg the problem by doing this. You might try something like a polyfilter just in case there is some evil metals or something in your water. Hang in there and give it some time. Chances are they will be ok.

 

[danmhippo]

Ditto to bowfront, I had my toadstool closed for up to 4 weeks due to water quality problem first, then I have to sever it into several pieces. But it ends up to be 2 beautiful leather. I also had a colt wilt and melted for reason unknown. I flush away the rotten portion and leave it in my sump for 3 weeks, it came back/healed wonderfully.

 

[mrcrabs]

Bowfront - I did replace my Phosguard during the water change as well. I didn't rinse it off before I put in in. Could this be what it is? If so, should I stop the Phosegaurd? Thanks.