Torch melting

JCH · Jul 18, 2025

Good morning everyone, I’m looking for some input on this torch. Overnight one the heads turned brown jelly and is melting away fast . The torch has been healthy and growing for around 8 months. My water perimeters are stable and where they should be. One thing that has changed since yesterday is that I replaced the UV bulb. Don’t know why that would matter but it’s the only thing different from yesterday. I’m wondering if I should get the torch out before it spreads to my other ones or let it run its course and see what happens? I have a picture, it’s kind of grainy but you can see the brown head on the back side. Any advice would be appreciated!!

cdemoss01 · Jul 18, 2025

@vetteguy53081 can help;

vetteguy53081 · Jul 18, 2025

JCH said:
Good morning everyone, I’m looking for some input on this torch. Overnight one the heads turned brown jelly and is melting away fast . The torch has been healthy and growing for around 8 months. My water perimeters are stable and where they should be. One thing that has changed since yesterday is that I replaced the UV bulb. Don’t know why that would matter but it’s the only thing different from yesterday. I’m wondering if I should get the torch out before it spreads to my other ones or let it run its course and see what happens? I have a picture, it’s kind of grainy but you can see the brown head on the back side. Any advice would be appreciated!!

While they are affected by bacterial issues, in many cases , this is due to low calcium, high phosphates and at times.... insufficient light and/or water flow.
Have you changed salts, type of water used or experienced a drop in salinity recently?

JCH · Jul 18, 2025

vetteguy53081 said:
While they are affected by bacterial issues, in many cases , this is due to low calcium, high phosphates and at times.... insufficient light and/or water flow.
Have you changed salts, type of water used or experienced a drop in salinity recently?

As a matter fact yes , my salinity recently dropped from 1.025 to 1.024 . Would that be enough to affect the torch ? My 6 others look fine . I decided not to wait and took the affected torch out, it was spreading to the other heads quickly !