Need help with nepthea

Seachelle · May 9, 2022

Hello, just a few days ago I got a Japanese pink nepthea. I removed it from the frag plug and glued it to a new plug because I wanted to skip the coral QT (which is having issues RN) and put it straight into my display tank. It came unglued from the plug, so I reglued it thinking I didn't use enough glue or didn't hold it to the plug long enough. Well today it's off the plug again, but this time it's like the stalk has retracted. There's only the top bushy part, and where there was about a half inch stalk is a rounded stump. I tried to put it in the sand, but there's really not enough stalk for it to stand on. What should I do? It's currently on it's side in the sand. Should I put it in a Tupperware with some coral rubble? Will the stalk come back? Picture isn't great but I think you can see the nubbin of a stalk. Halp!

Ulee · May 9, 2022

Seachelle said:
What should I do? It's currently on it's side in the sand. Should I put it in a Tupperware with some coral rubble? Will the stalk come back?

Hello, yes..a Tupperware with rubble will do the trick, a few days until it attaches, and about a week until it's very solid on new plug. If u can stand it up as much as possible or on its side ...Glue doesn't really work with these guys, be patient as it may not attach itself immediately. The stalk will grow back, they tend to shribble up when disturbed , best of luck

Salty2021 · May 9, 2022

I'll use a rubber Band to small rock

Seachelle · May 9, 2022

Ulee said:
Hello, yes..a Tupperware with rubble will do the trick, a few days until it attaches, and about a week until it's very solid on new plug. If u can stand it up as much as possible or on its side ...Glue doesn't really work with these guys, be patient as it may not attach itself immediately. The stalk will grow back, they tend to shribble up when disturbed , best of luck

Thank you! I really don't want to lose this one!

Seachelle · May 9, 2022

Salty2021 said:
I'll use a rubber Band to small rock

Should I just do it loosely? I'm afraid of hurting it.

Ulee · May 9, 2022

Seachelle said:
Thank you! I really don't want to lose this one!

one of my favorite corals in my tank

Seachelle · May 9, 2022

Ulee said:
one of my favorite corals in my tank

Do you give it high or low light? I've read different opinions.

Ulee · May 9, 2022

Seachelle said:
Do you give it high or low light? I've read different opinions.

Depends on height of your tank , but they really thrive on medium to high lighting, and love flow. I keep mine in middle of tank, but if it's a new specimen start low and move up.

Ulee · May 9, 2022

I have a few at bottom of my 10g tank, but lighting makes up for it ..

HudsonReefer2.0 · May 9, 2022

Basket with rubble in low flow will b ok. Stuff like nepthea I just dip and check to coral haven’t had issues. Sps is a different story with a dip and new plug.

Salty2021 · May 9, 2022

Seachelle said:
Thank you! I really don't want to lose this one!

Not super tight. If you don't have rubble rock just break a small chip off.

HudsonReefer2.0 · May 9, 2022

I keep my koji wada and stereonepthea on a rack mid way up under g5 pros ab+ 65%

DeniseAndy · May 9, 2022

I would avoid the rubber band trick. Some leathers will just not respond and split and get infection. I have done it, some do okay, others do not. I would not risk it with one of these. Just take a small tupperware bowl, put in a bunch of rubble and set the tree in the middle. Keep it fairly low flow so it can attach. It can sit on the bottom of the tank for now, but if you have a rack, midway up is good too.
Good luck!

Seachelle · May 9, 2022

DeniseAndy said:
I would avoid the rubber band trick. Some leathers will just not respond and split and get infection. I have done it, some do okay, others do not. I would not risk it with one of these. Just take a small tupperware bowl, put in a bunch of rubble and set the tree in the middle. Keep it fairly low flow so it can attach. It can sit on the bottom of the tank for now, but if you have a rack, midway up is good too.
Good luck!

I don't want to take any risks with this coral, so I'll just put it in a Tupperware without a rubber band. I'd probably just mess that up! Thanks!

Seachelle · May 23, 2022

Seachelle said:
I don't want to take any risks with this coral, so I'll just put it in a Tupperware without a rubber band. I'd probably just mess that up! Thanks!

My Koji adhered to the coral rubble and I'm ready to place it higher in my tank! Do you know how tall these ultimately get? Thanks!