Torch coral not looking good

reefguy40gal · Aug 3, 2014

I just moved from a 24ga nano (JBJ with LED) to a 40 gal set up.

The light that came with the 40gal (entire set up was given to me free) wasn't cutting it for me....so I bought this light here: Current USA Orbit Marine LED Aquarium Light

A day after I installed it (3? days ago)....the torch coral shown in picture below started to look like its arms were deformed.

Am wondering could this be due to the lights, or could it be due to the fish picking on the coral? I'm "babysitting" a 3" flame Angel for a few months until my buddy gets his new (300gal) tank set up. Same goes for the baby tangs seen in picture.

My water parameters are good (not ideal, but "good enough").

The arms of the torch look "deformed" physically. The only other time I have seen this was when an old anemone got into a ******* contest with this same exact torch. But there isn't a nem in my tank.

All my other corals are open and happy. Including another torch coral that I bought last week.

Thanks if you can help me figure this one out.

reefguy40gal · Aug 3, 2014

I should also mention this torch coral in the pictures is 6 months old and it was looking REALLY good, until I got the new light.

footballdude2k3 · Aug 3, 2014

What is good, but not good enough for parameters?

reefguy40gal · Aug 3, 2014

footballdude2k3 said:
What is good, but not good enough for parameters?

10ppm Nitrates. I was under the impression nitrates should be "0"

I chalk this up to me trying to experiment with the feeding schedules of the fish. My sump/skimmer/etc is over built and can handle it.

I'm also changing water religiously every week. ~5-10gal

myownlife · Aug 3, 2014

doesnt look horrible to me. LPS dont mind alittle nitrates. It might just be adjusting to its new environment. I am sure the flow and everything is different in the new tank. Is its mouth still tight?

reefguy40gal · Aug 3, 2014

So you think the torch might be adjusting to the new light? Am wondering if that light that I bought is even good for a 40gal reef?

I was reading the reviews (after I bought the light) and some people were complaining that the light is a bit "weak". I supplement my light with the blue LED's from a 24" light that originally came with the tank.

It only cost me $200.....and I realize you get what you pay for in this industry.

Torch mouth still closed.

myownlife · Aug 3, 2014

I cant comment on the light because I havent used it. I have Ocean Revive s026 which is cheaper than that and its on a 60 and does great. Id say give it a few more days and if it continues to look different then possible move it to a new location. What I have learned is that moving a coral to much will stress it more than just letting it adjust to its new locatioin.

OceanLife · Aug 25, 2014

I have the same LEDs and my torch got flat after adjusting the lights down. I've been gradually brings the blue LEDs back up and after a WC yesterday my torch was gone today with the exception of a couple of flat tentacles. Going to keep bringing the LEDs back up and hopefully it will grow back. Wondering if the Orbit LEDs are not working but not all of my corals are looking bad...lps seem to be doing great...most are looking good minus the torch and a few other sps corals. I'm thinking about adding a carbon reactor to my gfo reactor but I do think the problem started with the new LEDs and after I turned the intensity down.