Torch not doing too well…

[mmbaba]

I got this four-head about a year ago. At the time, all four heads were equally well developed and looked healthy. Over the course of the past year, two heads (on the right) seem to have deteriorated, slowly. They don’t extend as much and the healthy ‘flesh’ is much smaller than the two heads on the left.

I’ve tried different spots in the tank for flow, I’m spot feeding them once every couple of weeks, tank parameters have been pretty stable and there are no other signs of distress across a bunch of other corals, including other torches.

(Video upload didn’t work)

Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0.1
Nitrate = 0
Phosphate = 0.3 (I know, it’s a recent spike that I’m treating now)
Magnesium = 1467 (has been high for a while and is trending down).
Calcium = 396
Alk = 9.1
Salinity = 1.026
PH = 8
Temp = 78

Again, this coral has been going south slowly for about a year, so I don’t expect any of the params above to be a direct cause.

Any ideas?

 

[TX_REEF]

I have to disagree with your assessment of params not being an issue. zero nitrate isn't ideal for torches or any coral really. Get nitrate up and in balance with phosphate, generally you want to aim for nitrate at a level of 50-100x phosphate, with nitrate being 5-20 or so, whatever is an easy level for you to maintain.

Other items to consider:

PAR: generally want 80-120 or so, and no higher than 200
Flow: no direct flow, torches that get blasted with flow will recede.
Any fish that might be bothering it? Dwarf angels can be nippy.

 

[mmbaba]

Thanks @TX_REEF, the Nitrates (and Phosphates) are a relatively recent issue that I’m treating now but point taken. Good to know on the direct flow, they are sheltered now (have been for about 4 months but were more exposed previously (although still not direct flow).

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

You've had it for a year and it never grew another polyp, it just barely survived.... to me this usually points to low light.