Torch help

[teethdoctor23]

Got this black light torch and placed it on the sand bed to acclimate. Got great polyp extension and decided to move it up to the middle of the tank after about 2 weeks. PE was never the same so I decided to move it slightly lower after about 2 weeks. Now I have even less PE, sometimes even closed during the day. The other 2 torches I have on the sand bed near it are doing amazing, along with the rest of my LPS. I don’t plan on moving the torch again, but any thoughts? Just acclimating still?

Water parameters:
Salinity:1.025
Nitrates:5
Phosphates: .06
Calcium: 435
Mag: 1620
Alk: 9.3
pH: 8.3
Temp: 77.6-78.5

 

[SPR1968]

I can’t answer with the question but I can bump the thread to see if we can get you some help

 

[teethdoctor23]

I can’t answer with the question but I can bump the thread to see if we can get you some help

Thank you, I think it’s looking better every day but still not nearly as nice as it was

 

[DE FISH]

I think the move from the bottom to the middle of the tank was too much of a increase in light and possibly flow too quickly and it’s shocked the coral. Other than that look for pests like flat worms ect that could be irritating it.

 

[Dcloser12]

If you shocked the coral (bottom to middle is about 75+ par instantly) it could take weeks for the coral to respond. It's presently bleaching to account for the added light I assume. Leave it be. Change nothing and allow it a chance to recover from shock

 

[vetteguy53081]

Watch your mag which that level will upset it. If you have leather corals, this may be part of the issue. Many leather coral species produce and release toxic chemicals, called terpenes, into the water to protect themselves and to stunt the growth of other species. One of the biggest problems I see is failing to account for the calcium demand for these specimens. If there is insufficient calcium in your aquarium water, these corals will not be able to make their coral skeleton. Also never lift a torch coral out of the water if you can avoid it as you could tear the polyps, and torn polyps are prone to infection followed by necrosis.
Like most large polyp stony corals, torch coral benefits from moderate water flow.
They are best at upper half of tank where they can receive proper light and water flow. Too little or too much flow will cause this. Torch require typical parameters which you have IF accurate including:
Temperature around 78 degrees
Specific gravity of about 1.025
Ph of about 8.2
Calcium level of about 400 ppm
Mag 1300-1350

Torch coral do best in moderate water flow. The polyps will shrink if the flow is too fast because the polyps will tear off in higher currents. Also torches are a photosynthetic coral which has a relationship with its inner zooxanthellae which lives inside its tissues that converts the light into energy which feeds the coral. While it does not require direct feeding, feeding is beneficial and I feed mine Mysis shrimp.
The best location for a torch coral is where it gets moderate to medium water flow and medium-intensity lighting.
Torches are aggressive corals that protect themselves by wielding their sweeper tentacles maliciously.

 

[teethdoctor23]

Watch your mag which that level will upset it. If you have leather corals, this may be part of the issue. Many leather coral species produce and release toxic chemicals, called terpenes, into the water to protect themselves and to stunt the growth of other species. One of the biggest problems I have seen beginner hobbyists have is failing to account for the calcium demand for these corals. If there is insufficient calcium in your aquarium water, these corals will not be able to make their coral skeleton. You should also never lift a torch coral out of the water if you can avoid it. You could tear the polyps, and torn polyps are prone to infection followed by necrosis

Torch require typical parameters including:
Temperature around 78 degrees
Specific gravity of about 1.025
Ph of about 8.2
Calcium level of about 400 ppm
Mag 1300-1350

Like most large polyp stony corals, a torch coral benefits from moderate water flow. The polyps will remain retracted and under-inflated if the water current is too fast because the large flowing polyps are prone to rip and tear in high or ultra-high current environments.
The torch coral is a photosynthetic coral, meaning it has a relationship with symbiotic zooxanthellae (single-cell photosynthetic organisms) that live inside its tissues that converts the light energy into sugar. In exchange for a home inside the coral, the zooxanthellae split their harvest and feed the coral. Therefore, it is possible to keep the Torch coral without any feeding at all. However, all corals are animals, and animals are meant to eat.
The best placement for a torch coral is in a location that gets moderate water flow and moderate-intensity lighting. Torches are aggressive corals that protect themselves by wielding their sweeper tentacles maliciously.

Any way to tell if a leather is releasing terpenes? I have a toadstool leather on the opposite side of the tank that’s doing well, and a sinularia leather that’s been shedding for about a week. Again, I have 5 torches and this is the only one not doing great. There’s no tissue recession either.

As far as the magnesium goes, my levels have been really consistent and stay between 1600-1700. A bit on the higher side I know, but as far as I’m aware higher magnesium isn’t an issue like low magnesium is. Additionally, light and flow are pretty much equivalent to what the other torches are receiving.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Any way to tell if a leather is releasing terpenes? I have a toadstool leather on the opposite side of the tank that’s doing well, and a sinularia leather that’s been shedding for about a week. Again, I have 5 torches and this is the only one not doing great. There’s no tissue recession either.

As far as the magnesium goes, my levels have been really consistent and stay between 1600-1700. A bit on the higher side I know, but as far as I’m aware higher magnesium isn’t an issue like low magnesium is. Additionally, light and flow are pretty much equivalent to what the other torches are receiving.

You can reraly tell and can safeguard by addition of product such as Chemipure Blue or elite which I use religiously

 

[Wasabiroot]

@MERKEY

Mag seems a bit high...not deadly but possibly irritating. Torches do not take kindly to being moved. Your parameters don't look bad otherwise so it could just be acclimation.

Might also have debris or sand in it but it's hard to say

 

[teethdoctor23]

@MERKEY

Mag seems a bit high...not deadly but possibly irritating. Torches do not take kindly to being moved. Your parameters don't look bad otherwise so it could just be acclimation.

Might also have debris or sand in it but it's hard to say

Again out of 5 torches, this is the only one struggling. So I’m leaning towards acclimation as well

 

[MERKEY]

How's the flesh on the torch doing?

Is it receding?

What's the skeleton look like?

Pictures of those would help diagnose.

A lot of torches come in with nasty stuff on them and in them.

 

[teethdoctor23]

How's the flesh on the torch doing?

Is it receding?

What's the skeleton look like?

Pictures of those would help diagnose.

A lot of torches come in with nasty stuff on them and in them.

Flesh looks great, no tissue recession. Just short polyp extension. Here’s a picture from today

 

[Pistondog]

Any way to tell if a leather is releasing terpenes? I have a toadstool leather on the opposite side of the tank that’s doing well, and a sinularia leather that’s been shedding for about a week. Again, I have 5 torches and this is the only one not doing great. There’s no tissue recession either.

As far as the magnesium goes, my levels have been really consistent and stay between 1600-1700. A bit on the higher side I know, but as far as I’m aware higher magnesium isn’t an issue like low magnesium is. Additionally, light and flow are pretty much equivalent to what the other torches are receiving.

I could smell the turpenes above the leather when the pumps were off for feeding. Run gac to reduce levels in thewater, or remove the leather as i did.

 

[Dburr1014]

Flesh looks great, no tissue recession. Just short polyp extension. Here’s a picture from today

That flesh is very receded. Is this how it was when you acquired it?

Here is the whole article someone above cut and paste.

Torch coral care: best placement, feeding & light requirements

Do you have the right tank to keep the torch coral , Euphylia glabrescens? This large polyp stony coral comes from the Indo-pacific reefs. In a reef tank...

www.saltwateraquariumblog.com

 

[MERKEY]

Flesh looks great, no tissue recession. Just short polyp extension. Here’s a picture from today

As @Dburr1014 said the torch has pretty bad recession.

I'm guessing you got it like that or close to it. A lot of vendors are putting out coral like this unfortunately.

A lot of TLC is going to be needed to help the torch heal and grow flesh back.

Keep water parameters as stable as possible.

 

[Dburr1014]

As @Dburr1014 said the torch has pretty bad recession.

I'm guessing you got it like that or close to it. A lot of vendors are putting out coral like this unfortunately.

A lot of TLC is going to be needed to help the torch heal and grow flesh back.

Keep water parameters as stable as possible.

Just to add, check out this coral flesh. Very healthy. Not a torch but should be similar.
Is an older pic and the flesh has even gotten longer, I should say the flesh stayed where it is and the coral has grown.

 

[LosReef]

I think moving it to an area that's a little more open might help. It kind looks like it's too close to rocks. The polyps might be getting snagged on the rock. I'd also recommend mounting on a small rock. This will allow you to move it around until you find its happy place. A rock heavy enough to keep snails from knocking it over. Glue that rock to the scape instead of the torch.

 

[Wasabiroot]

Worth considering- take a glance at the torch at night time along the line of flesh close to the skeleton. I have had torches present this stubby appearance from flatworm infestation. You will see small brown blobs on the tissue if so.

 

[teethdoctor23]

As @Dburr1014 said the torch has pretty bad recession.

I'm guessing you got it like that or close to it. A lot of vendors are putting out coral like this unfortunately.

A lot of TLC is going to be needed to help the torch heal and grow flesh back.

Keep water parameters as stable as possible.

You would argue this has “pretty bad recession”??

 

[teethdoctor23]

Just to add, check out this coral flesh. Very healthy. Not a torch but should be similar.
Is an older pic and the flesh has even gotten longer, I should say the flesh stayed where it is and the coral has grown.

For another reference I took another picture just now. The skeleton is not showing and the flesh seems to be in the correct area, if I’m not mistaken.