New Corals

ollysaquariums

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Hey everyone,
I just got some new corals for my reef tank and I was specifically wondering how long it will take until the torch fully opens and if they’re all placed well? I got a toadstool leather, a torch, pink zipper zoa, and a jack o lantern which isn’t in the tank yet.

20250727_191739_C3A6EECA-B1FF-4742-AFF9-BDBA24DD4313.png


20250727_191746_2EEC3F83-B631-415A-8353-5CD257C71CE9.png
 

Idoc

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Sometimes they take up to a week in my tank when I add new corals...other times, they open in a day or so. If after a week they don't really open much, then maybe adjust location for different flow or lighting.
 

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When i got new torches. They opened up after a day or 2 in my quarantine. But when they graduate to the DT. They open up immediately after 1 hr or so… i guess they like the DT parameters better..
 
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ollysaquariums

ollysaquariums

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Sometimes they take up to a week in my tank when I add new corals...other times, they open in a day or so. If after a week they don't really open much, then maybe adjust location for different flow or lighting.
It opened about an hour after I posted haha
 

VintageReefer

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It’s open now and thriving so I think it’ll be okay
the torch is not thriving. It appears to be in a low health condition. Despite this It can open and appear healthy but it is not. From the photo the torch is lacking a flesh band which means it has not been kept in proper conditions, the band has eroded, and it is at very high risk of developing bacterial infection, or has one already developing - takes a few days to a week for symptoms to develop visually. Even if it is not “sick” now, the health condition makes it a daily risk.
 
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ollysaquariums

ollysaquariums

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It’s open now and thriving so I think it’ll be okay
the torch is not thriving. It appears to be in a low health condition. Despite this It can open and appear healthy but it is not. From the photo the torch is lacking a flesh band which means it has not been kept in proper conditions, the band has eroded, and it is at very high risk of developing bacterial infection, or has one already developing - takes a few days to a week for symptoms to develop visually. Even if it is not “sick” now, the health condition makes it a daily risk.
Oh no, I bought it from someone with an amazing and well maintained reef aquarium so I assumed it was okay, I should’ve dipped it. Would you say I should dip it when I have time? What do I do?
 

VintageReefer

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I would first dip in something with antibiotic abilities. Not a typical coral dip - those are for pests and hitchhikers.

Something that kills bacteria. Like Cipro, lugols / iodine, or hydrogen peroxide (1:4, 5 min)

Then it needs good conditions and parameters and low to medium flow for a few weeks

The flesh band can regrow in good conditions. Right now, it’s like you got a big gash on your body. It’s an open wound - and it will heal and won’t be a problem if you keep it clean. But everyday bacteria can get in and develop infections. So it has to be cleaned and left alone

The fleshband grows where the torch meets the skeleton and should look like this:

Good flesh band - almost an inch - very healthy torch
33B8889F-9F99-4C49-87C5-83F25041889A.jpeg


Small flesh band - not great, but also not dangerous. Better than nothing
C911D2C3-1D68-4F6A-9EA5-AFA2C833F62B.png


No flesh band - bad, torch may open, and look fine, but it is not ok. It is in a weak and vulnerable state. Walking a thin line between alive and dying. It’s like going in a sick ward but having no immune system
C1930CAE-BDCC-436A-B075-D4CA8FC386F4.png

Lost this last one by The way ^ opened fine and looked ok for about 1.5-2 weeks then randomly got sick and died
 
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ollysaquariums

ollysaquariums

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I would first dip in something with antibiotic abilities. Not a typical coral dip - those are for pests and hitchhikers.

Something that kills bacteria. Like Cipro, lugols / iodine, or hydrogen peroxide (1:4, 5 min)

Then it needs good conditions and parameters and low to medium flow for a few weeks

The flesh band can regrow in good conditions. Right now, it’s like you got a big gash on your body. It’s an open wound - and it will heal and won’t be a problem if you keep it clean. But everyday bacteria can get in and develop infections. So it has to be cleaned and left alone

The fleshband grows where the torch meets the skeleton and should look like this:

Good flesh band - almost an inch - very healthy torch
33B8889F-9F99-4C49-87C5-83F25041889A.jpeg


Small flesh band - not great, but also not dangerous. Better than nothing
C911D2C3-1D68-4F6A-9EA5-AFA2C833F62B.png


No flesh band - bad, torch may open, and look fine, but it is not ok. It is in a weak and vulnerable state. Walking a thin line between alive and dying. It’s like going in a sick ward but having no immune system
C1930CAE-BDCC-436A-B075-D4CA8FC386F4.png

Lost this last one by The way ^ opened fine and looked ok for about 1.5-2 weeks then randomly got sick and died
20250729_172346_C78F6984-A5F1-426C-BD9F-29F53B704F84.png

is this dip okay?
 

VintageReefer

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I never heard of it so I asked chat gpt instead of researching the internet and it said this


Continuum Coral Dip is not an antibiotic in the traditional pharmaceutical sense.

Here's what it actually is:​

  • Continuum Coral Rx Coral Dip (often referred to simply as "Continuum Coral Dip") is a reef-safe coral dip treatment used in saltwater aquariums to help rid corals of pests, parasites, and harmful microorganisms before introducing them into a tank.
  • It is not intended to treat internal infections or systemic diseases in corals.
  • It typically works by irritating or stunning pests like flatworms, nudibranchs, or amphipods, which then fall off the coral during the dip.

Ingredients:​

Continuum doesn't list exact ingredients (proprietary formula), but most coral dips are:

  • Oxidizing agents, plant extracts, or oils (like tea tree oil or clove oil)
  • Sometimes mild antiseptics
  • Not pharmaceutical antibiotics like erythromycin, amoxicillin, etc.

If you're looking to:​

  • Prevent pest infestation → Coral dip is good.
  • Treat bacterial infections (like RTN/STN or tissue necrosis) → You may need antibiotic treatments (e.g., Bayer dip, Lugol’s iodine, or actual antibiotics like ciprofloxacin)


2 of the 3 things I suggested are in the last section of the chatgpt results. The hydrogen peroxide recipie I gave is another option with household / over the counter ingredients
 

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