New torch coral

Sharkbait19 · Oct 13, 2020

Hi all,
I’m relatively new to the reefing hobby, and got in the mail today my first LPS coral, and Australian torch frag. Within the first hour of being put into the tank it opened up. Now a few tentacles are drawn back and greyish but for the most part it looks good. What do you guys think— is it healthy/happy? What pointers do you torch owners have on keeping it alive and well? Is there anything I can do to help it thrive and grow fast?
Thanks a ton!

just for reference here’s a picture of it under coral lighting at the fish store I got it from:

ScubaFish802 · Oct 13, 2020

Looks good to me!

Hincapiej4 · Oct 13, 2020

It's fine, they just have different lighting.

ScubaFish802 · Oct 13, 2020

Blue light definitely brings out the color

Miguel Negron · Oct 13, 2020

Looks good

Sharkbait19 · Oct 13, 2020

Thanks! I’ll keep everyone posted in my build thread on the coral status. I’m a little paranoid about all my coral due to an ammonia spike from the combo of dead snails and hair algae, but thankfully that’s all getting better.

headonkey · Oct 13, 2020

Yep. It looks happy to me!

Tater_kamik · Oct 14, 2020

Looks gorgeous!!!

Sharkbait19 · Oct 15, 2020

So.....I think the coral isn't adapting well. Its shrinking and some skeleton is exposed. I'll post a pic soon. I'm not sure if this a normal torch behavior to disappear into the skeleton, but I'm quite worried.

Sharkbait19 · Oct 15, 2020

I went to bed last night and it was thriving! This morning.....not so much. Help!!

BobbyCline · Oct 15, 2020

Dying...tank looks pretty new for that piece.

Niam · Oct 15, 2020

I love torch coral too. Maybe reduce the flow if it is too high for the coral to acclimate to her new home. The meat is still covering the base. Give it time to settle down.

Sharkbait19 · Oct 15, 2020

Can something like this just happen overnight then?? What are the chances it’ll live if I reduce flow?

Reefer1978 · Oct 15, 2020

How old is the tank? What are all your parameters. Torches need flow, cutting flow off won't help.

Sharkbait19 · Oct 15, 2020

Reefer1978 said:
How old is the tank? What are all your parameters. Torches need flow, cutting flow off won't help.

The tank is three months old at this point. I’ve read that that should be enough time for an LPS coral. Am I wrong?? It was doing so well up until now. Ive seen all the bad luck with this tank so far...

Params are all around zero, though I don’t know the validity to that based on me using an API kit...I suppose if it dies I’ll just know that my tank isn’t ready for an LPS coral??

Niam · Oct 15, 2020

Sharkbait19 said:
Can something like this just happen overnight then?? What are the chances it’ll live if I reduce flow?

I introduced my torches into my tank at around 1.5 months of running the water. If your parameters is within the recommended numbers then it should not be a problem to place LPS coral.
Im just saying if the flow is too harsh, reduce it. Yes torches love flow but not direct flow and since the environment is very new for the coral, combined with the shipping stress imo it is better to place it at a calmer flow. Not shutting down the flow, just move it to some low flow area.

Sharkbait19 · Oct 15, 2020

Niam said:
I introduced my torches into my tank at around 1.5 months of running the water. If your parameters is within the recommended numbers then it should not be a problem to place LPS coral.
Im just saying if the flow is too harsh, reduce it. Yes torches love flow but not direct flow and since the environment is very new for the coral, combined with the shipping stress imo it is better to place it at a calmer flow. Not shutting down the flow, just move it to some low flow area.

Ok. Is that section of the torch gone or just retracted??

Niam · Oct 15, 2020

Sharkbait19 said:
Ok. Is that section of the torch gone or just retracted??

To my eyes it just retracted. Since the meat is still covering the bone. Hoping the best man!

Reefer1978 · Oct 15, 2020

For now just seems retracted to me also, but I would keep an eye on it. You should still post all your parameters, that's the best way to get some help.