Issue with Torch

USMA36 · Jul 23, 2018

Torch Coral is dying off. 5 months ago I lost 2 heads suddenly. Two remaining heads weren’t opening up fully and over the last two weeks that has been less and less. Finally I lost another head his weekend and the last is barely hanging on. Phosphates .08 nitrates less than 5 Alk 8.6 and Calcium 400. I have an 8 bulb 36” ATI 8 or 9” above my 90 gallon display tank. I run a refugium with chaeto and I also dose core 7 other methods at a very low dose. Tank is 1.5 years old started with dry rock. I have not yet been able to keep any sps without it dying off. My hammer coral seems to be doing well. The torch is in the bottom 3rd of the tank but I have tried higher and lower light and flow areas with no luck. I am using 2 maxspect gyre 150 set to random 40% max each. Coral growth has been terribly slow since I have started. In a year with that torch it only added 1 head. Any help would be appreciated.

ZoWhat · Jul 23, 2018

Impossible to say.... could have been a disease, water parameters, maybe the torch lived its lifespan.

Who knows....but torches are VERY sensitive..I have frogspawn and when they look deflated that's my EARLY WARNING SIGN something's up

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sghera64 · Jul 23, 2018

Looks pretty far gone. Might try an iodine dip or coral Rx dip if you can.

Some specimens that come to you are just not that hardy.

If you like to mail order, I might recommend Premium Aquatics (near Indianapolis). Many of their green torch corals are 3rd and 4th generation aquaculture and quite hardy.

Neo Jeo · Jul 23, 2018

My tourch has not opened fully. I have 2 other torches that are open and happy. I bought some Lugol iodine. How do I do a dip? Would it help?

sghera64 · Jul 23, 2018

Neo Jeo said:
My tourch has not opened fully. I have 2 other torches that are open and happy. I bought some Lugol iodine. How do I do a dip? Would it help?

When I dip with Lugol’s, I add enough Legolas to make the color of the water a light “tea” or light brown color. I’m guessing it might be 10mL In 1000mL (1%). Then I dip for 2-4 minutes. Repeat 1 time per day for three days and then see what happens.

When I frag my wall hammers with a dremmel, hammer and chisel, I dip each frag 1 time for 1-3 minutes as a prophylaxis.