Dying Torch and Unhappy Scoly

[joro]

I've had this Reefer 170 up and running for a few months now and everything has been going great minus some ongoing algae issues (particularly cyano which I can't seem to shake). In any case, one of my torch corals has been doing great and was actually one of my first adds, yet recently I had noticed a "worm" that was in the center of it. It didn't seem to mind it's presence; however, in the last week the worm seems to have grown bigger and the torch is starting to decay as you can see from the pics. The "worm" looks like a feather duster but I'm not sure if it's something else - the video below you can see it pop out briefly and then retract. Should I be concerned? I also have another unnamed euphylia below the torch (further down) and it's been starting to retract a bit as well.


On an unrelated note - I hope - I noticed my scoly has a white patch missing, almost like something took a bite out of it. It always has it's feeders out after lights off and while I'm not concerned too much by the retraction (it usually does this around the time the lights start dimming but is open and fluffy during the day), the mark worried me a bit. Thoughts?

 

[Elementalj]

Please post your parameters, and how "young" the tank is. Also, what do you have stocked?

 

[T2Play]

Dip the torch, flat worms might be laying eggs inside the torch, give it a good shake in the dip, you will have to dip in a week till the cycle is done. You will see the worms fall off.

 

[joro]

Please post your parameters, and how "young" the tank is. Also, what do you have stocked?

Sorry forgot to post

Parameters

• Ammonia, Trates, & Trates - 0 ppm
• Salinity - 1.026
• pH - 8.0
• Calcium - 455 ppm
• Alkalinity - 6.2 dKH
• Temp - ~ 79.3

Inhabitants

• Midas Blenny
• Helfrichi Firefish
• 2x Snowflake Clowns
• Cleaner Shrimp
• Various snails (trochus, turbo, etc)
• Sand sifting conch

Corals

• Green Torch (this is the one that's been dissolving)
• Bi-color torch (larger and on other side of tank, no effects noticed thus far)
• euphylia mix (kind of between a frogspawn and hammer but branching)
• Birds Nest
• Bi-color Plating Monti
• Fat head Dendros
• Sun Corals
• Trumpet Corals
• Cyphastrea (not 100% sure on this one - it's an encrusting SPS)

 

[Elementalj]

When's the last time you tested magnesium? And what was your previous results for alkalinity? And how long ago did you test?

 

[joro]

I haven't test magnesium (nor do I have a kit) and the Alk reading probably isn't that helpful - it was about a month ago after I dosed 2-part so it was in line around 9. I haven't dissed 2 part since that point FYI.

 

[Elementalj]

I think you may need one. Magnesium is integral to the overall health of the critters you keep. It's also related directly to calcium and alkalinity balance. So if you have a deficit, things start to decline.

 

[joro]

I think you may need one. Magnesium is integral to the overall health of the critters you keep. It's also related directly to calcium and alkalinity balance. So if you have a deficit, things start to decline.

Ok, I'll order one and see what I get back.

 

[Elementalj]

It's always good to get magnesium levels under control before you attempt to correct alkalinity or calcium. Proper levels are on the 1300 - 1350 range I believe.

 

[Elementalj]

I'd get salifert, or Red Sea, depending on funding. I prefer salifert though.

 

[joro]

I'd get salifert, or Red Sea, depending on funding. I prefer salifert though.

I ordered Red Sea - that's my preference - and will be here on Thursday!

 

[Elementalj]

I ordered Red Sea - that's my preference - and will be here on Thursday!

No biggie, I like the plastic box [emoji6]

 

[Supurderek]

That's a barnacle in the torch. They can possibly kill the torch when they get larger. But usually worth sacrificing a head to see a cool barnacle!

 

[joro]

That's a barnacle in the torch. They can possibly kill the torch when they get larger. But usually worth sacrificing a head to see a cool barnacle!

Is there any concern with them reproducing and affecting the other euphhylia? The torch it was embedded in now is toast but I have some others (one below and one on the other side of the tank) that i don't want to put at risk.

 

[joro]

I got the Magnesium test kit and it's showing 1,300 PPM which seems to be in line?

 

[Elementalj]

I got the Magnesium test kit and it's showing 1,300 PPM which seems to be in line?

Hmmmm. [emoji848]

 

[Elementalj]

Nitrate and phosphate levels?

 

[joro]

Nitrate and phosphate levels?

Trates at 0, don't have a phosphate test kit

 

[smh254]

I had a small piece of my Birdsnest brake off And fall into my scoly and left a similar mark. It recovered fine. Maybe this could of happen to yours. As for the barnacle I have them on a couple SPS with no problem but don't know what they would do too LPS.

 

[Elementalj]

Trates at 0, don't have a phosphate test kit

I'm thinking you may need to feed more. A little nitrate is good for LPS. And if you have algae or other corals consuming it they're literally starving to death.

It explains the health of the other corals and the likely demise of these.