Torch Thinning?

[Blackice615]

I have had these two torches since October in a healthy, fairly stable tank. Both torches tentacles were on the thicker side as shown in pic one. I have noticed in Dec, the torch tentacles in the second pic began to thin out.

Over the past three weeks, I noticed the tentacles in the first pic are also beginning to thin out on the right side.

Is this good or bad?
Is this due to stress or flow?

Tank params:
Salinity 1.026
Nitrates 5-10
Phosphates .10
Alk recently increased over the past week to 9 (predominantly have been averaging 7 to 8 since I've had the torches)

 

[P-Dub]

That is a difficult one. It could be too much flow. I see in the first photo the head looks flattened out like it is getting blasted from above. The second possibly as well. What is your lighting that is installed and lighting schedule with intensities? As well, what do you have for flow in the tank and what are the tank dimensions?

 

[Blackice615]

Back in Jan the two were next to each other on the sand bed. Because the one was thinning I moved it up in a less flow area about 4 inches from the sand.

I'm using Radion G4 non pro for 9 hours. Intensity max hits 80% for about 6 hours.

Tank is 6 ft 125 and been established for a little over 2 years now.

Flow wise, I'm using hydor koralia and FX6 output all in different directions creating random flow.

 

[Blackice615]

The first pic is when the flow was blowing down. Generally the flow is making it move all around in circles. Not blasted but it is gentle. Pretty cool how it moves around

 

[P-Dub]

That's a lot of light for those critters right off the bat but I think lower flow would be better, Try even lower flow and lighting and report back. My torches and euphyllia really did well in lower flow and lighting until they got used to it. When the flow was VERY gentle but certainly noticeable, they would balloon up nicely.

 

[Blackice615]

I'll give it a shot. I introduce the lights and torches at the same time. Started at 45% and ramped them up slowly until the end of dec.

 

[Blackice615]

Thank you

 

[P-Dub]

I'll give it a shot. I introduce the lights and torches at the same time. Started at 45% and ramped them up slowly until the end of dec.

Hmm. Should be used to the light. Try just moving them to a little less flow and see what happens. Don't forget to feed them.

 

[mattzang]

is that a unique corals torch? i think i've seen it on their site a few times as the UC supershock, which doesn't seem to be an understatement. i have one that looks just like it, SUPER long tentacles. i just caught it stinging a neighbor torch :mad:. this thing is like the bull shark of corals, giving everyone the zap.

mine seems similar, some really long tentacles that seem kinda thin, but i'm fairly sure mine is really happy. i have it down low in the tank with some decent indirect flow. my flow kinda bounces off the glass and the rock behind it so it swoops it upwards

 

[Blackice615]

Not sure. they were fat, plump, and perfect when I bought them. the bigger one has about 4 heads now and the smaller one has two heads. The smaller torch looks very comparable to yours. Going to see if I can find some original photos when I first got them

 

[Blackice615]

Found some.

I feed the corals once a week. When I feed the fish, I do see that the tentacles catch the flake food on their own through the week as well.

 

[Blackice615]

Found some.

I feed the corals once a week. When I feed the fish, I do see that the tentacles catch the flake food on their own through the week as well.

 

[Blackice615]

Found some.

I feed the corals once a week. When I feed the fish, I do see that the tentacles catch the flake food on their own through the week as well.

 

[Blackice615]

Found some.

I feed the corals once a week. When I feed the fish, I do see that the tentacles catch the flake food on their own through the week as well.

 

[Blackice615]

Sorry for the multi post. The bigger one is also an aussie torch