Green Cabbage Leather not shedding?

[Thawman]

Morning all!

I've had my green cabbage leather for roughly 6 years, but in the last 2 months it has looked horrible.

I initially thought it had to do with lighting and/or flow due to coral growth throughout the tank.

I adjusted the corals above it so the leather wasn't shaded anymore and moved a few others to increase water flow around it. I also installed a 110gph pump which turns on and off every 15 sec pointing towards it to also help with flow. I've moved any frags that were near it to reduce risk of coral warfare.

Would be very difficult to remove from the rock, but willing to try if people think that's what it would need

No new tank mates (fish or coral) in nearly a year. Parameters have been stable since setting the tank up (it was an upgrade from a smaller tank).

SG 1.025
Temp 77.5
Alk 8.5
Cal 445
Mg 1445
PO4 0.05
NO3 11

Thanks for reading this far and any info people may have!!

 

[crazyfishmom]

If you touch it… how does it feel to the touch? If you directly baste it with a turkey baster, does any tissue slough off?

 

[Thawman]

If you touch it… how does it feel to the touch? If you directly baste it with a turkey baster, does any tissue slough off?

Thanks for the response!!

Best way I could describe it is that it feels firm and rough, sort of like a medium/fine grit sandpaper.

No tissue comes off when I use a baster.

I've even softly brushed at it with a soft toothbrush and nothing came off.

Hermit crabs pick at it once in a while which is a new habit that started long after it looked like that.

 

[TokenReefer]

What color is that part under white light?

 

[crazyfishmom]

Okay then that sounds like it is still kicking then. I think it likely needs more flow. A lot more flow to be able to shed properly.

 

[Thawman]

What color is that part under white light?

Thanks for the response!

In white light the stuff on the surface is brown and the tissue under that looks to be very light green, nearly white.

 

[Thawman]

Okay then that sounds like it is still kicking then. I think it likely needs more flow. A lot more flow to be able to shed properly.

I'll give that a go, fingers are crossed!! Thanks again!

 

[TokenReefer]

I wonder if coralline started growing on it somehow. Idk how that's possible but I also don't know about leathers. Watching to learn

 

[Thawman]

@crazyfishmom and anyone else that may come across this, the power head has made a huge difference, and the leather is nearly fully recovered!!!

 

[crazyfishmom]

@crazyfishmom and anyone else that may come across this, the power head has made a huge difference, and the leather is nearly fully recovered!!!

Yay! I’m glad to hear. Leathers can be very grumpy sometimes. Soft coral tends to melt pretty quickly when it is dying and turns gooey black within hours. I’m glad yours is doing well!