Asking for Torch knowledge..

[OmenNutJR]

Dear Reefkeeping Community,

I am reaching out to tap into your collective expertise, as my online research on torch corals (Euphyllia spp.) has yielded conflicting information. I’m passionate about ensuring the best care for these stunning corals and would greatly appreciate your insights to clarify their proper husbandry requirements.
Specifically, I’m seeking detailed guidance on the following:

• Water Flow: What is the optimal flow rate and pattern for torch corals to promote healthy polyp extension and growth?
• Lighting: What are the recommended PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) levels and lighting spectrum for maintaining vibrant health and coloration?
• Feeding: Are there specific foods or feeding strategies that benefit torch corals, such as target feeding with zooplankton or other supplements?
• Water Parameters: What are the ideal ranges for parameters like salinity, calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, nitrate, and phosphate to ensure long-term success?

Additionally, I’ve noted that torch corals originate from different regions, such as Indonesia and Australia. Do the care requirements vary significantly between these regional variants? Furthermore, does color variation (e.g., green, purple, or gold torches) influence their lighting intensity or other care needs?

I’m growing increasingly fascinated with Euphyllia corals and want to ensure I’m fully prepared before adding more of these beautiful specimens to my aquarium. Your knowledge and experience would be invaluable in helping me provide the best possible environment for them.

Thank you in advance for your time and expertise!

Best regards,

Your newbie reefkeeping friend.

 

[edsbeaker]

Hi,
You are asking some great questions! I’ve kept a few successfully, but definitely no expert! I know of one member here that knows an awful lot about torches. Let me tag him for you and see if he can answer some of your questions better than I can. I’m sure others will also chime in.

@VintageReefer

 

[mmorrison55]

I find Tidal gardens website has a lot of good information re all coral types. Whether or not their recommendations are the same as the experts here, it’s hard to say.

Tidal Gardens - Torch Coral Care

Euphyllia have been a fixture in reef aquariums seemingly since the hobby began. Torch corals have long tentacles tipped with a ball. This large polyp stony coral (LPS) is one of the most popular stony corals in the hobby because if the way it sways in the current. It is very similar in growth...

tidalgardens.com

 

[VintageReefer]

The answers conflict because there is no single answer for each question. They have a range of conditions they live in and they adapt.

I keep most of mine in 150ish par. Some higher some lower. I prefer low to medium flow. I target feed 2x a week. I use lps max, it’s a refrigerated food and a mix of good stuff.

For every rule there’s probably someone out there doing the opposite

I hear all the time they don’t like to be down low on the sand. That might be true for some people but not all

I think mid tank to upper rockwork is most common placement and a good place to start

I aim for random flow or wave motion

 

[OmenNutJR]

I find Tidal gardens website has a lot of good information re all coral types. Whether or not their recommendations are the same as the experts here, it’s hard to say.

Tidal Gardens - Torch Coral Care

Euphyllia have been a fixture in reef aquariums seemingly since the hobby began. Torch corals have long tentacles tipped with a ball. This large polyp stony coral (LPS) is one of the most popular stony corals in the hobby because if the way it sways in the current. It is very similar in growth...

tidalgardens.com

Thank you! I will have a read!

 

[OmenNutJR]

Hi,
You are asking some great questions! I’ve kept a few successfully, but definitely no expert! I know of one member here that knows an awful lot about torches. Let me tag him for you and see if he can answer some of your questions better than I can. I’m sure others will also chime in.

@VintageReefer

Thank you!

 

[OmenNutJR]

The answers conflict because there is no single answer for each question. They have a range of conditions they live in and they adapt.

I keep most of mine in 150ish par. Some higher some lower. I prefer low to medium flow. I target feed 2x a week. I use lps max, it’s a refrigerated food and a mix of good stuff.

For every rule there’s probably someone out there doing the opposite

I hear all the time they don’t like to be down low on the sand. That might be true for some people but not all

I think mid tank to upper rockwork is most common placement and a good place to start

I aim for random flow or wave motion

These are absolutely beautiful!

Thank you for sharing!

 

[Waters]

I keep mine pretty much the same as @VintageReefer with the exception of the manual feedings (although they do grab mysis pretty much daily when I broadcast feed the fish).

 

[VintageReefer]

I keep mine pretty much the same as @VintageReefer with the exception of the manual feedings (although they do grab mysis pretty much daily when I broadcast feed the fish).

To OP

Target vs broadcast feeding will depend on your system - mainly your flow and fish. Even though my currents go right through a shelf of torches, no matter how much I broadcast feed, the end result is 90% of my corals catch zero food. My fish are aggressive eaters, and I can pour in a cup of thawed food, the fish or sandbed gets all of it

You’ll have to observe and see what works and doesn’t work with your system, and ensure one way of another, that they get food a few times a week.

 

[OmenNutJR]

I keep mine pretty much the same as @VintageReefer with the exception of the manual feedings (although they do grab mysis pretty much daily when I broadcast feed the fish).

To OP

Target vs broadcast feeding will depend on your system - mainly your flow and fish. Even though my currents go right through a shelf of torches, no matter how much I broadcast feed, the end result is 90% of my corals catch zero food. My fish are aggressive eaters, and I can pour in a cup of thawed food, the fish or sandbed gets all of it

You’ll have to observe and see what works and doesn’t work with your system, and ensure one way of another, that they get food a few times a week.

Thank you so much! I appreciate you tons!

 

[justinliu]

I will feed TM powdered coral food once a week.