Toadstool Leather

[labnjab]

I'm still researching what corals to add next, and i was wondering about the toadstool leather and how they would work in my tank. A guy in my town has one for $25.
How would they like the 1200 gph flow I have? I've heard they don't do well in high flow, but I don't know if that was a rumor.

Does anyone has any experience keeping these? If so, are they worth buying?

How fast do they grow?

Sorry for so many questions, I just don't want to get something that will soon take over my tank or not do well in it.

Thanks for any help

[oldhead]

I'm going to be adding one of these to my tank pretty soon also. From what I've read they like medium to strong water movement. I don't have any experience keeping them yet. But I've heard that they're known to grow very quickly under the proper conditions are hardy and extremely easy to frag.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

I can tell you both that they get way too large for either of your tanks. I have one in my 125 that I will eventually need to remove. I've only have my Toadstool for a few months and it would already be too large for a 10gal tank and that is with having my Sailfin Tang snack on it for a week or so. Have a look at this beauty in a 75gal tank.
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[oldhead]

Haha wow, that thing is massive! I have read some reports of them weighing upwards of a couple hundred pounds in home aquaria also. Amazing!

[labnjab]

Wow, thats huge, I'm glad I asked. Thank you, lol, I may just get some shrooms and more zoas, although I would like something a little different, I guess I'll keep looking. Is there anything you would recomend , something with a little higher light requirement then my current stocking and doesn't get massive, I have 192 watts of light to spare.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

They get 3' in diameter.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Yeah, that is one down side to leathers in small aquariums, most of them get huge. There is a guy in my local reef club that has a finger leather that he needs to frag and he will be able to give every member of the club a fairly large piece. You may want to look into Kenya Tree, it doesn't get too large (big enough) and it is very easy to grow and isn't exactly unattractive. If you want a few frags I have plenty.

[labnjab]

Those would be a perfect addition. I'd love a few frags, but let me make sure I can't get them locally. I'm always nervous about buying living things through the mail. Stuff always goes wrong. I'll pm you if I can't find any.

[cocoa_pleco]

i have one, expanded he is now about 8". hes in good flow and under a 150w metal halide

[labnjab]

There is a guy locally that is gonna give us a few frags of kenya tree and he's only a 20 minuet drive away. I've read that they need some added elements, like iodine, but wouldn't this be replenished with the saltmix?

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

For the most part all the trace elements are replaced with water changes, however you do lose a small amount to skimming and to use. Adding Iodine gets a little tricky in small systems because you can easily overdose it. It's not essential that you do so, I wouldn't worry about it.

[cocoa_pleco]

yep, iodine is in your salt mix. dont try to add iodine as a supplement, you have to be EXACT and its difficult, a guy on the saltwater forum im on had his tank crash from adding iodine. your water changes take care of it

IMO kenya trees are hard to kill

[labnjab]

Thanks for the info, I don't want to add anything I don't have to or don't need. Thats the main reason I'm sticking to softies. I'll post some pics when I get them.

[cocoa_pleco]

yep, dont dose anythign unless you test for it

[oldhead]

IMO kenya trees are hard to kill


+1 They are definitely a tough coral. I have one in my tank and it's doing quite well. I can't wait till it's quite large. Not the most eye catching coral in the world but still looks nice in the tank.

[cocoa_pleco]

ive had several rebound, when i had my 55g he fell in some major shade and got droopy and ugly, but hes come right back and grown a ton

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

I have them growing in caves in my tank, caves on the bottom of the tank that get virtually no light. LOL They are almost like weeds.

[oldhead]

I have them growing in caves in my tank, caves on the bottom of the tank that get virtually no light. LOL They are almost like weeds.


Wow I had no idea that they could make it with no light. Cracks me up about the weeds comment. I always here Kenya and Xenia referred to as weeds, appears that they are both pretty indestructible.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Well, it really depends on which species of Xenia you get. Some are less destructible than others.

[cocoa_pleco]

mushrooms are cave dwellers too, i have never seen so much stuff when i tore my 55g down. i found at least 3 dozen fullgrown mushrooms living and buried where there was pitch black, and i only bought 3 mushrooms for the tank purposely