My torches are dying one by one

[Miemaes]

Hey everyone,

I’m really trying to figure out why my torches are dying. I lost two big beautiful heads on my rasta torch. Now I see the the flesh on my other torch is receding and there is some white milky stuff. Has anyone ever experienced anything similar? I’ve had my calcium drop to 370 (over the course of time)… which I am trying to get back to 400. Might it be a critter I don’t see or would it be related to parameters? I haven’t had any big swings and had these for a bit over a year. I have a holy grail torch I do not want to lose

 

[tobster]

I would take them out and dip them just in case you have a pest.

 

[Reef Jedi]

Can you post a complete list of parameters, this can help us see a wider range. Also can you get pictures of torches and whole tank.

 

[EnterName]

If the video doesn't load for someone, here's a screenshot.

The white mucus (hard to see in the screenshot) is likely a symptom rather than the cause. Coral secretions and dying tissue can cause this as bacteria and protists break down organic matter.

 

[Miemaes]

I wasn’t aware the video didn’t load properly. Sorry about that!
- Alk: 9.3
- Calc: 370 (upping my dosing to get back to 400)
- Nitrates: 12
- Phosphates: 11 (been like this for a while - not able to get it below 10)
- Magn: Haven’t tested this in a while
- Temp: 77 degrees
Tank: Waterbox 50 gallon
Fish: two clowns, orchid dotty, fire fish, blenny, cleaner fish
Water changes- Weekly 15% with Reef Crystals
I have a bag of phosguard in the back chamber and activated carbon. Been in there for about 6 months.
I currently have no wave maker as it feels that it’s too strong for my corals (even the smallest one…) Pictures of my tank atm…

 

[Miemaes]

I wasn’t aware the video didn’t load properly. Sorry about that!
- Alk: 9.3
- Calc: 370 (upping my dosing to get back to 400)
- Nitrates: 12
- Phosphates: 11 (been like this for a while - not able to get it below 10)
- Magn: Haven’t tested this in a while
- Temp: 77 degrees
Tank: Waterbox 50 gallon
Fish: two clowns, orchid dotty, fire fish, blenny, cleaner fish
Water changes- Weekly 15% with Reef Crystals
I have a bag of phosguard in the back chamber and activated carbon. Been in there for about 6 months.
I currently have no wave maker as it feels that it’s too strong for my corals (even the smallest one…) Pictures of my tank atm…

I also feel as if my Calcium levels don’t budge. I’ve been upping over the past weeks and the number isn’t really increasing. Any recommendations on add-ons for my tank to reduce phosphate and nitrate is welcome.

 

[Billgasser]

Is that Phosphate 0.11 or 11.0 like you typed ?

 

[Miemaes]

Is that Phosphate 0.11 or 11.0 like you typed ?

0.11… my bad

 

[fishguy242]

If the video doesn't load for someone, here's a screenshot.

The white mucus (hard to see in the screenshot) is likely a symptom rather than the cause. Coral secretions and dying tissue can cause this as bacteria and protists break down organic matter.

Top ,middle of flesh ,do I see EEFW ? dip this one to be sure @Miemaes

 

[Miemaes]

Top ,middle of flesh ,do I see EEFW ? dip this one to be sure @Miemaes

What is EEFW?

 

[fishguy242]

Euphyllia eating flatworm, brown slug like body

 

[Miemaes]

I’m going to dip both of them to be sure…. like right now!

 

[slingfox]

This could be a coral pest or bacterial infection. To determine if it is coral pest you need to closely inspect, preferably with a magnifying glass or something similar outside of the tank to get the best view. If you don’t find any pests then you should go the bacterial infection treatment route.

 

[Miemaes]

This could be a coral pest or bacterial infection. To determine if it is coral pest you need to closely inspect, preferably with a magnifying glass or something similar outside of the tank to get the best view. If you don’t find any pests then you should go the bacterial infection treatment route.

I have been monitoring it… and I really haven’t seen anything in terms of pests. How would one go about treating this as a bacterial infection? It’s been going from head to head…

 

[Miemaes]

Some bits ‘n pieces dropped off, but nothing suspicious. I decided to chop off the heads and only return what looked healthiest to the tank. I guess the bacteria is in the water by now. How do I get rid of it in my system?

 

[bubbgee]

I used cipro, amoxicillin, coralrx and hydrogen peroxide for bacterial infections in varying degrees of success and failure. what should work is immediate detection and proper flow. i would do a full cipro reset for the tank but it carries its own risk.

 

[Miemaes]

I used cipro, amoxicillin, coralrx and hydrogen peroxide for bacterial infections in varying degrees of success and failure. what should work is immediate detection and proper flow. i would do a full cipro reset for the tank but it carries its own risk.

I think they might benefit of a bit more flow… I’ll need to look for the weakest wave maker possible for my tank My other euphyllia (frogspawn and hammer) seem to be doing fine… Moments like this I kind of had it with my tank Whenever things go well… it drops something in your lap.

 

[bubbgee]

Yeah flow is tricky for torches. Too much, they bjd. Too little, they bjd as well.
This is the guide I use for dips.

https://reefstable.com/blog/how-to-dip-coral

 

[Miemaes]

Thanks so much for the share!

 

[bubbgee]

Thanks so much for the share!

Good luck! Hopefully this helps. Worst case, you need the KFC dip on hand.

https://kungfucorals.com/blogs/news/the-kfc-dip-a-game-changer-in-keeping-healthy-euphyllia