Torch looking stressed?

[James_O]

I picked up a very small Aussie torch yesterday.

This is what it looked like in the bag:

This is what it looks like now, in the tank:

Any reason why it’s tentacles aren’t out?

It looks mad. 0-0

 

[Jekyl]

I picked up a very small Aussie torch yesterday.

This is what it looked like in the bag:

This is what it looks like now, in the tank:

Any reason why it’s tentacles aren’t out?

It looks mad. 0-0

It's either parameters, light, or flow

 

[Jekyl]

I would move it closer to the sand bed. Don't allow sand to blow on it though. Get it acclimated to the lights before moving it higher. Moderate to low flow.

 

[James_O]

I would move it closer to the sand bed. Don't allow sand to blow on it though. Get it acclimated to the lights before moving it higher. Moderate to low flow.

Crap, didn’t think about that... have I damaged it?

I will move it next to the mushroom. (Probably like 6 inches away)

—-

Also, would it be OK to super glue the mushroom to a shell, so it has a nice flat place to grow?

 

[James_O]

Moved it down to the sand. It’s pretty weird... it looks like it’s growing in the middle of the coral skeleton. That’s how they sold it to me however...

 

[Jekyl]

Moved it down to the sand. It’s pretty weird... it looks like it’s growing in the middle of the coral skeleton. That’s how they sold it to me however...

Do not place it in the sand. Put it on a rock a little higher. Sand blowing on it can cause stress also

 

[James_O]

Do not place it in the sand. Put it on a rock a little higher. Sand blowing on it can cause stress also

It has about an inch of rock it is on and it’s about half an inch above the sand level.

 

[James_O]

Bump.

 

[jassermd]

Not enough clearance from the sand... need to move it on to a rock close to sand bed, but NOT in the sand bed.
Torches are finicky at best. Parameters need to be stable and they are best placed in low-moderate flow (nothing direct) and moderate lighting. They don't appreciate direct laminar flow.

Based on what I'm seeing in the pics, the torch you got was recently cut and is still healing (the flat edge is what I'm seeing). This guy is going to take some time to acclimate.
My profile pic is where I have several torches... about 2-3 inches above the sand on a rock with low to moderate flow. Lighting is around 75-80 par (which in my DT is the lower 1/3)

They don't like to be moved or handled much...

In general, torches require typical parameters
Temp: 78 degrees
specific gravity: 1.025-1.026
pH: 8.0-8.2
Ca: ~400
Like most large polyp stony corals, a torch coral benefits from moderate water flow. The polyps will remain retracted and under-inflated if the water current is too fast because the large flowing polyps are prone to rip and tear in high or ultra-high current environments.

Hope this helps...

 

[James_O]

Not enough clearance from the sand... need to move it on to a rock close to sand bed, but NOT in the sand bed.

Oh, ok! I’ll move it to the live rock on the right.

Based on what I'm seeing in the pics, the torch you got was recently cut and is still healing (the flat edge is what I'm seeing). This guy is going to take some time to acclimate.
My profile pic is where I have several torches... about 2-3 inches above the sand on a rock with low to moderate flow. Lighting is around 75-80 par (which in my DT is the lower 1/3)

Ah ok, that makes sense. It was only $25, so I guess I shouldn’t have excepted more? I was just super pumped that it was a torch.

Not sure what my PAR is... here are the lighting specs if that helps:

Channel 1	4x3500K(Warm white), 6x6500K(Neutral white), 8x12000K(Cool white), 4x420nm(Violet), 2x520nm(Green), 2x660nm(Hype red)
Channel 2	18x450nm(Royal blue), 8x460nm (Blue)
Channel 3	3x460nm(Moonlight)

Temp: 78 degrees

I will also lower my temperature a little bit, as it’s hovering at 80F.

Like most large polyp stony corals, a torch coral benefits from moderate water flow. The polyps will remain retracted and under-inflated if the water current is too fast because the large flowing polyps are prone to rip and tear in high or ultra-high current environments.

I’m hoping the new location will have just the right amount. I’ve moved this guy 2 times already, so I hope I’m not stresses it to much.

 

[James_O]

Ok, I moved it on top of this rock, which is well off of the sand. Does this look ok?

Not sure how to tell the flow yet, because it’s tentacles aren’t extended.

 

[HB AL]

I would give it more time to acclimate, especially if it came from a tank with different water parameters, different lights, etc...

 

[MERKEY]

I wish you all the best but who ever sold you that should give you a refund.

That head should not have left a shop nor a "friends" tank like that.

There is not much you can do at this point as it looks pretty far gone.

Can it grow back...sure

Try to give it as stable as water parameters as possible.

Test all parameters including phos daily so you don't have swings and make sure your ato is on point.

 

[Acros]

What salt are you using? I remember you mentioning that you do not have a test kit yet (unless I am confusing you with someone else).

I have had this happen in tank started with dry rock and high alkalinity (closer to 11.5)

Edit: I agree, it doesn’t look great in the bag either.

 

[James_O]

I wish you all the best but who ever sold you that should give you a refund.

That head should not have left a shop nor a "friends" tank like that.

There is not much you can do at this point as it looks pretty far gone.

Can it grow back...sure

Try to give it as stable as water parameters as possible.

Test all parameters including phos daily so you don't have swings and make sure your ato is on point.

Well dang it, talk about getting ripped off.

Does it have any chance at recovery?

What salt are you using? I remember you mentioning that you do not have a test kit yet (unless I am confusing you with someone else).

I have had this happen in tank started with dry rock and high alkalinity (closer to 11.5)

Edit: I agree, it doesn’t look great in the bag either.

Instant Ocean salt. (Not the reef crystals)

I do have a test kit, just not one for alkalinity.

Edit: I agree, it doesn’t look great in the bag either.

Great... should I contact my LFS and try to get a refund? At this point, I literally think I bought a $25 rock.

 

[Jekyl]

Well dang it, talk about getting ripped off.

Does it have any chance at recovery?



Instant Ocean salt. (Not the reef crystals)

I do have a test kit, just not one for alkalinity.



Great... should I contact my LFS and try to get a refund? At this point, I literally think I bought a $25 rock.

I didn't think regular IO was suitable for coral. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[MERKEY]

Well dang it, talk about getting ripped off.

Does it have any chance at recovery?



Instant Ocean salt. (Not the reef crystals)

I do have a test kit, just not one for alkalinity.



Great... should I contact my LFS and try to get a refund? At this point, I literally think I bought a $25 rock.

Just contact them and see if they will give a replacement that was cut better.

At $25 I wouldn't think they would have an issue making it right.

Not to say money is an issue but to some places it is unfortunately.

 

[HB AL]

As long as it has signs of life it's got a chance.

 

[Acros]

A lot of people use regular instant ocean and are fine. It does not have very alkalinity either. Not sure how to help. If all other corals are fine, I would think this frag was not in great condition to start with.

 

[James_O]

A lot of people use regular instant ocean and are fine. It does not have very alkalinity either. Not sure how to help. If all other corals are fine, I would think this frag was not in great condition to start with.

The paly colony is doing great, the mushroom has grown a ton and is looking super healthy, and the Cinnamon Paly is growing a new head!

I just think this one is super unhealthy....

My LFS usually isn’t this bad with things. I think if I call tomorrow, they will make it right.

Just contact them and see if they will give a replacement that was cut better.

At $25 I wouldn't think they would have an issue making it right.

Not to say money is an issue but to some places it is unfortunately.

Will do - I’ll keep you posted! Thank you.