Newbie with a coral torch problem

[Sushinko]

I am new to the community and to saltwater reefing. I have an AIO 15 G that is about 2 months old. I bought a 2 head torch at the Reefapalooza on the weekend and it went all brown and all the tentacles were covered with it. Overnight the one head was white and just a skeleton on one head and over the course of the next day the 2nd head was all gone. I took it out and tossed it as I was not sure it if was contagious. I checked all parameters in the tank and the ammonia and nitrates were a bit high so I did a partial water change. My tank has also got the original torch I got and it seems ok. I have 2 clown fish, a goby, 2 peppermint shrimp and a few hermit crabs and snail. Everything was good until I got frags at the show. I have a zoanthid I got and it looks like it might have some of this brown starting on it. The brown stuff also has like hair looking strands on it too. Any thoughts if I have brought in something that will kill my other corals and if I can do anything?

I am using an AI 16 light which my son helped my set up the cycle and color on. He is a reefer with over a year experience and it is because of him I got hooked on this. I have a hygar wave maker.

 

[00W]

Welcome Welcome to R2R!
Pictures would be great!

 

[CoralB]

Welcome !!
Sorry for your loss and troubles . Nothing is more deflating of spirit than to go to a show and buy coral that doesn’t do well after you get them home . Did the brown that you mention look like brown jelly ? Or BJD

 

[Just John]

Also, I'm surprised to hear you have high ammonia. What brand test kit are you using.

 

[shakacuz]

welcome aboard the r2r board!

 

[FrugalReefer]

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Sounds like it got brown jelly disease...

 

[Pvtgloss]

Welcome! This place is packed with good advice. Post some pictures and your parameters.

 

[7of9]

 

[Adolfo]

 

[Steve2020]

Welcome to R2R. You say your tank is about 2mo old? Did your tank completely cycle ( 0 ammonia and 0 Nitrites ) prior to adding the inhabitants including the existing Torch? Seems awfully quick to be adding a Torch or any coral IMO. Can you provide a complete set of parameters ( NO3, PO4, Alk, Cal, Mag, NH3, and NO2 )?

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[vetteguy53081]

I am new to the community and to saltwater reefing. I have an AIO 15 G that is about 2 months old. I bought a 2 head torch at the Reefapalooza on the weekend and it went all brown and all the tentacles were covered with it. Overnight the one head was white and just a skeleton on one head and over the course of the next day the 2nd head was all gone. I took it out and tossed it as I was not sure it if was contagious. I checked all parameters in the tank and the ammonia and nitrates were a bit high so I did a partial water change. My tank has also got the original torch I got and it seems ok. I have 2 clown fish, a goby, 2 peppermint shrimp and a few hermit crabs and snail. Everything was good until I got frags at the show. I have a zoanthid I got and it looks like it might have some of this brown starting on it. The brown stuff also has like hair looking strands on it too. Any thoughts if I have brought in something that will kill my other corals and if I can do anything?

I am using an AI 16 light which my son helped my set up the cycle and color on. He is a reefer with over a year experience and it is because of him I got hooked on this. I have a hygar wave maker.

Torches can be challenging for the most experienced hobbyist yet easy for the novice. Often some issue that affect them is location, too much flow, low calcium (under 400), lights too bright, toxins from leather and other corals as well as elevated Phosphate and low salinity - A few things to check

 

[zheka757]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Welcome To The Reef!
I have a hammer and frog garden in my system. Growing heads like crazy. I tried a torch, killed it.

 

[Sushinko]

Welcome !!
Sorry for your loss and troubles . Nothing is more deflating of spirit than to go to a show and buy coral that doesn’t do well after you get them home . Did the brown that you mention look like brown jelly ? Or BJD

I am y thinking it is. It has no odor though but whatever it is the torch died. I took it out this afternoon it was just skeleton. Got it Sunday dead 4 days later. I think the zoa’s got it now too

 

[Sushinko]

Tank is dark now so not a good pic

 

[steveschuerger]

Welcome to the R2R community! And it does sound like Brown Jelly or BJD, though I’d be surprised if the Zoas have it. It usually affects lps, esp. torches and their ilk. I had a BJD problem recently, and had to use Cipro to fix it. I know it’s tough, but I’d suggest some other softies like leathers and easier lps like Duncans or Candy Cane once you get this problem solved.

 

[Sushinko]

Thank you. I have 250mg cipro. ( I have most fish antibiotics as they are good for pets and I’m an animal health tech. What is the in a 15 gal tank? Will it hurt my claws or goby or shrimp?

 

[Sushinko]

Also, I'm surprised to hear you have high ammonia. What brand test kit are you using.

Red Sea