Are my torches dying? How can I save them?

[phil84]

Hi

Is my torch dying? It's been very slowly decreasing in size over the last 6 months.

I put it into the tank just over a year ago and it was much bigger.

My water params are

KH = 7
Ammonia = 0
Phosphate = 0.25
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 25
Salinity = 1.026
Magnesium = 1230ppm
Temperature = 25C

These numbers have been consistent for a long time now as my tank is 1.5 years old, is 150 litres in size and I use the sea water from my local shop for water changes (rather than making my own)

 

[phil84]

Here's a couple of photos. The torch is bottom, middle of the main picture

 

[NeptuneSpear2011]

Do you have any pics @phil84.

Usually when I see a coral in distress and the numbers are good, I then ask is there any flatworms possibly causing the issue. Usually at that point I pull the torch and dip it for 10 mins and periodically check the bottom. I'll gently swirl the torch so any hitchhikers fall off and again review the bottom. Then gently rinse using same tank water in a separate container.

Somethings aggravating it and I'm going to bet that "might" be the culprit.

 

[NeptuneSpear2011]

Here's a couple of photos. The torch is bottom, middle of the main picture

Yeah def not happy. Do you see any white looking flat worms @phil84 on the base or in the coral? Hard to see they blend right in at times.

 

[NeptuneSpear2011]

If you do find flatworms @phil84 I would start thinking of a weekly prevention strategy. Prob should do it anyway. I found using Korallen-Zucht products (KZ) https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/catalogsearch/result?q=KZ Amino Acid, FlatwormStop, Coral Booster, and Coral Snow are great prevention methods. I've attached a photo. There a bit expensive but I've seen my flatworms have reduced tremendously.

Here's the thing with this hobby I figured out. When everything looks great and your loving how it all looks is when you need to keep an eye on it and maintain prevention methods. Dirty is mostly good, too clean is bad, and all changes take time nothing happens quick in a reef tank. Patience is a virtue in this hobby but when you lock down a daily habit for prevention and simple upkeep you'll reap the rewards.

Hope this helped?

 

[phil84]

Hi @NeptuneSpear2011

That's great, I've just ordered some Coral Protec dip from my local store so will try that when it arrives. I can't see anything obvious when looking at the torch, but I Google imaged flatworms on coral and it looks very hard to spot.

So, nothing alarming with the water params? My light isn't the best. Fluval Marine 3.0. But then my corals aren't anything complex either, from what the guys in the store said to me.

 

[Lavey29]

I agree to check and or dip for pests. What par is it in? Since your tank is over a year have you done a recent ICP test to check everything?

 

[phil84]

Hi @Lavey29 thanks a lot for the reply.

I had never heard of an ICP test until this very moment. I will have to ask my local aquarium store how it works. I live in Ireland. Perhaps there are companies in the UK I can use.

I don't have a PAR meter. Is that part of every reefer's arsenal?

 

[BryanM]

@phil84

These don't look too good right now, glad you're getting a product to dip. No flesh band that I can see, always a sign of stress as well.

There's another product that several of us like out there from Joker Corals called Coral Infection Eliminator, and people have had great success with recovery with this, if you can get it.

PAR meters are not in everyones arsenal. Not sure about your light, but lighting is quite important for these guys, so if its borderline somehow then there's a potential upgrade in your future here.

Lastly, if it is flatforms, a 6 line wrasse is a good guy for these. They love flatworms.

 

[phil84]

Thanks guys, some great responses. My dip is arriving tomorrow (hopefully) so that's step 1 I suppose.

I just hope I haven't left it too late for this fella!

 

[NeptuneSpear2011]

Hi @NeptuneSpear2011

That's great, I've just ordered some Coral Protec dip from my local store so will try that when it arrives. I can't see anything obvious when looking at the torch, but I Google imaged flatworms on coral and it looks very hard to spot.

So, nothing alarming with the water params? My light isn't the best. Fluval Marine 3.0. But then my corals aren't anything complex either, from what the guys in the store said to me.

Lighting can be an issue if placement of some corals are too close to the sun so to speak that WILL be an issue. That said mine do real well around mid tank. I've provided my lighting and what i use for dipping corals. I've been doing this method for a while and use a lot of old school what works mindsets. Not sure if you have this but you can get it off Amazon.com: BioAdvanced Complete Brand Insect Killer for Soil and Turf, Concentrate, 40 oz, Outdoor Ant Killer : Everything Else This is the only dip source I use and have used it's cheap and excellent and prob can get it quicker.

I've also provided my lighting settings if you have any questions let me know.

An ICP test is great, it's a point in time snapshot and provides you a starting point. After that, it's up to the hobbyist to make the adjustments.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

the strongest fluval light is 60 watts, thats really low lighting for a 40 gallon tank, I think its more of a light issue.

What test kits are you using? The alk is a bit low.

Using LFS water is also suspicious, better to make your own rodi water or use distilled water from the store and mix your own saltwater IMO.

 

[NeptuneSpear2011]

Hi

Is my torch dying? It's been very slowly decreasing in size over the last 6 months.

I put it into the tank just over a year ago and it was much bigger.

My water params are

KH = 7
Ammonia = 0
Phosphate = 0.25
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 25
Salinity = 1.026
Magnesium = 1230ppm
Temperature = 25C

These numbers have been consistent for a long time now as my tank is 1.5 years old, is 150 litres in size and I use the sea water from my local shop for water changes (rather than making my own)

These are the levels my tank is currently running

Gravity - 1.025
PH4 - 0.07
NO3 - 10.0 (Dosing Using Miami Reef Calcium Nitrate Recipe)
Silica - 0.03
Alk - 10.0 (Using Randy's Alk Recipe 1)
PH - 8.6
Ca - 450
Mg - 1280

 

[chip shop]

Agree with mojo,a good cheap dip is the detail mixture here in uk I’ve used it for years and definitely works as well as any costly product

 

[chip shop]

Sorry dettol

 

[NeptuneSpear2011]

Thanks guys, some great responses. My dip is arriving tomorrow (hopefully) so that's step 1 I suppose.

I just hope I haven't left it too late for this fella!

Here's the PAR meter I ordered on Amazon Amazon product

 

[Lavey29]

Hi @Lavey29 thanks a lot for the reply.

I had never heard of an ICP test until this very moment. I will have to ask my local aquarium store how it works. I live in Ireland. Perhaps there are companies in the UK I can use.

I don't have a PAR meter. Is that part of every reefer's arsenal?

Some LFS shops have par meters to rent. ICP tests available via Amazon too

ATI ICP-OES Pro Water Test Kit (w/ Prepaid Shipping Label) - ATI

Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

 

[strandedandpoor]

Sorry dettol

You use dettol to dip your corals??? Can you share an actual picture of the bottle you personally use please? Thanks!

 

[schooncw]

I think your kh is low and your water too clean. Magnesium could be a tad higher also.

 

[schooncw]

Hi @NeptuneSpear2011

That's great, I've just ordered some Coral Protec dip from my local store so will try that when it arrives. I can't see anything obvious when looking at the torch, but I Google imaged flatworms on coral and it looks very hard to spot.

So, nothing alarming with the water params? My light isn't the best. Fluval Marine 3.0. But then my corals aren't anything complex either, from what the guys in the store said to me.

I don’t think that light is adequate.