Dying torch, when to cut losses

[peterat33rpm]

Hi all -

I’ve had my tank up for 3 months and I think I finally flew a little too close to the sun and put in a torch before I was ready, and he is dying a slow (actually fairly fast) death. I put him in on Monday and today (Thursday) he looks like this. One head is completely peeled off, and the other is following. I’m wondering if I should just got my losses and put him out of his misery before it turns to BJD or something and nukes everything.

Of note, a hammer, Duncan, open brain, GSP, and Xenia are doing all doing fine. I have one Zoa that is sad looking but alive, been like that since I got it. Parameters are with an API kit (I know I need digital checkers, haven’t gotten around to it yet)

Fluval 32 gallon tank with one power head and stock return pump.
Salinity - 1.025

Nitrates and phosphates both low in API kit, however nitrates were ~20 before my water change 6 days ago (before torch was added)

pH - 7.8. (I haven’t come across a good solution for raising pH in my tank with a tight lid and virtually negligible evaporation.)

Alk - 8

Ca - 380
Mag - haven’t tested

I’m working all weekend so the chance of doing anything drastic like setting up dosing is pretty slim. Appreciate any advice, at this point my main goal is not nuking everything.

 

[MoshJosh]

It still has flesh so I would not count it out. That said it does look rough. . .

I always struggle in these situations as you want to do something, but doing anything could cause more stress than it is worth.

Things to look for, flow too high or low in that area? light too high in that area? Temp fluctuations? have you been running carbon?

Those are the things I would look at. I MIGHT move it to a lower light area with medium to low flow in hopes of reducing stress. . . but hard to say.

 

[Lavey29]

Just for info, BJD develops in tanks attacking euphyllia when parameters are drastically off thus causing coral stress and compromising their immune systems which then allows BJD to take hold.

Torches are difficult in tanks under a year old.

 

[peterat33rpm]

I have the stock Fluval marine light and it was in the mid-height range so I sort of doubt it was too much light, but that said this morning I did move it down to the sand bed which is also lower flow…

Carbon is running, I think it might be about about 10 days old. As for temperature - probably fluctuation between the store and my tank, as my tank runs hot at about 81 (thanks NC summer) and I could have acclimated longer. That might have done it.

 

[peterat33rpm]

Well, the one head was hanging on by the tiniest of threads when I got off work so so just kind of grabbed it off, hoping the other head pulls through but not holding my breath

 

[duckman]

Have learn this the hard way. U got to cut the loss. Frag off the dying branch. Place the healthy branch in observation / hospital tank and consider cipro treatment

 

[KrisReef]

LPS are easily damaged in transit. A tiny bump on the flesh can lead to death.

I wondered if the original location was in line with a powerhead or pump return flow? Almost looked like it was getting blasted in the current? But that could just have been a photo coincidence?

It looks better where you moved it but if it is sick it might be dead tomorrow?

 

[paragrouper]

Unless you’re pressed for space. There’s no real harm in giving the coral a chance. There are also a few things you can do for the Flex to improve the environment in your tank. I think the easiest is to get the Intank filter baskets and get rid of the big chunks of foam that come stock with the tank. Also a lot of us have beefed up the return pump to improve flow.

But the biggest issue I had with mine was the close-fitting top. It puts your light near the waterline, warps over time and does nothing to help gas exchange (as you commented on regarding your PH).

There is a thread (below) that discusses various options you may consider to improve your tank. Best of luck.

Link

 

[peterat33rpm]

LPS are easily damaged in transit. A tiny bump on the flesh can lead to death.

I wondered if the original location was in line with a powerhead or pump return flow? Almost looked like it was getting blasted in the current? But that could just have been a photo coincidence?

It looks better where you moved it but if it is sick it might be dead tomorrow?

Yea I mean I’m relatively sure it’s on its way out but we’ll see. I had it not directly in front of a power head, and about 2/3 of the tank length away from it so I don’t think it was getting blasted. Might still have been too much though I’m just not sure :-/

Unless you’re pressed for space. There’s no real harm in giving the coral a chance. There are also a few things you can do for the Flex to improve the environment in your tank. I think the easiest is to get the Intank filter baskets and get rid of the big chunks of foam that come stock with the tank. Also a lot of us have beefed up the return pump to improve flow.

But the biggest issue I had with mine was the close-fitting top. It puts your light near the waterline, warps over time and does nothing to help gas exchange (as you commented on regarding your PH).

There is a thread (below) that discusses various options you may consider to improve your tank. Best of luck.

Link

I have the in tank media baskets, with carbon, ceramics, some foam and some floss. Upgrading the return pump is high on my to do list.

As for the lid, i go back and forth whether i want to ditch it. It makes evaporation a non-issue which I like, and i have a firefish that I’m quite fond of, so I’m not sure what direction to go. As for giving the coral chance - totally agree, but I psyched myself into thinking it was going to turn into BJD and take everything down with it, which is probably just my inexperience but it really freaked me out thinking about that happening

 

[Ziggy17]

An iodine dip could help, but it’s not usually something newcomers have on hand.

 

[Ziggy17]

LPS are easily damaged in transit. A tiny bump on the flesh can lead to death.

I wondered if the original location was in line with a powerhead or pump return flow? Almost looked like it was getting blasted in the current? But that could just have been a photo coincidence?

It looks better where you moved it but if it is sick it might be dead tomorrow?

My YT swam too close to my NY Knicks and sliced into the flesh . It was dead within 7 days.

 

[paragrouper]

Yea I mean I’m relatively sure it’s on its way out but we’ll see. I had it not directly in front of a power head, and about 2/3 of the tank length away from it so I don’t think it was getting blasted. Might still have been too much though I’m just not sure :-/



I have the in tank media baskets, with carbon, ceramics, some foam and some floss. Upgrading the return pump is high on my to do list.

As for the lid, i go back and forth whether i want to ditch it. It makes evaporation a non-issue which I like, and i have a firefish that I’m quite fond of, so I’m not sure what direction to go. As for giving the coral chance - totally agree, but I psyched myself into thinking it was going to turn into BJD and take everything down with it, which is probably just my inexperience but it really freaked me out thinking about that happening

many who ditch the top will get a mesh top to protect the fish. I went with a canopy and upgraded my lights

 

[Ziggy17]

many who ditch the top will get a mesh top to protect the fish. I went with a canopy and upgraded my lights

dogs are the best.

 

[peterat33rpm]

many who ditch the top will get a mesh top to protect the fish. I went with a canopy and upgraded my lights

Oh man that looks good, is that custom or available to buy?

Also I have a cocktail and two dogs as well, pet buddies haha

 

[paragrouper]

Oh man that looks good, is that custom or available to buy?

Also I have a cocktail and two dogs as well, pet buddies haha

It was my first DIY project.