Torch Coral

[flyrfrk33]

Hey Everyone. I recently purchased a torch about 2.5 weeks ago. From my readings and research it needs moderate light and flow and should be placed on the substrate out of reach of anything due to its sweeping tentacles at night. I am trying to figure out if it is healthy or if it likes where it is. When the light is on, it looks like a happy camper but I am not 100% sure so i wanted to ask some experts. Any other opinions on the tank would be appreciated also.
thanks

 

[andylee]

I agree with what you've read, but I don't see it in your picture

 

[flyrfrk33]

Front left on the bottom, next to the pagoda

 

[Awibrandy]

Due to it's sweeper tentacles it does need quite a bit of space between it, and other corals as you have read, but not necessarily on the sand bed. My three torches are not on the substrate. They are in the rocks with plenty of space between them other corals. I keep mine at about mid to low level with a decent amount of flow (NOT direct flow).
If your torch has a decent amount of tentacle extension, and sway a bit then you are fine.

I really see it's tentacles in your pic. There are a few varieties that I have seen/had. Some have shorter tentacles then others.

You may need to rethink the Christmas Wrasse as it needs a much larger aquarium. The smallest recommended is a 50 gallon. Sorry to be a party pooper!

 

[flyrfrk33]

Thanks! just want to make sure, it looked happy but extreme growth and tentacle elongation wasnt happening (trying to be patient!)

Any other ideas on my tank?? move anything around?

 

[MatthewScars]

That does not look like a happy camper.

Mine was super happy in its one spot but i had to move it and now its bleaching a little, but its still extending. Yours isnt even doing that...

What lights are on it? What are your params? You have barely any live rock for filtration. I see you have a tiny HOB filter... whats in there? Just carbon?

All the coral you have in there now could survive an Apocalypse (Colt, zoa, paly, toad). Torches are much more sensitive.

ALK CAL MAG NITRATE PHOS readings please.

 

[flyrfrk33]

there is probaly 35ish lbs of live rock in there... needing to get more but everytime im at the store, its not cured. I can move it up a bit over to the right above the xenia on the substrate. that would give it a bit more light.

I am running a t5 4 bulb

params last week when tested were quite good

0 nitrates, nitrite, ammonia, phos
8.2 ph
temp is around 76-77
salinity around 1.027ish -
mag - continuing to dose prob around 1150-1200 testing again tonight
calc around 500
kh is on the lower end 7/8

hope that helps. appreciate your help

 

[Awibrandy]

Matthew, it could be that it is one of the shorter tentacle torch. I'm just saying.lol

OP, how was it in the store? Did it have long tentacles, or short?

Your mag is really low. Cal is a bit to high, try to get your kh up to 8+. And I seriously doubt your phos is zero.. What test kits are you using? Especially for the phosphates.

 

[flyrfrk33]

yup - been dosing Mg every night and I am not putting any calcium in the tank whatsoever. I used instant ocean reef crystals. I use API test kits for everything but Mg. Phos is as close to yellow as it can be on that test kit. Its prob not 0, but its barely readable.

I agree Kh needs to come up and ive been putting in kH buffer every other night or so. I am going to test again tonight.

 

[Awibrandy]

yup - been dosing Mg every night and I am not putting any calcium in the tank whatsoever. I used instant ocean reef crystals. I use API test kits for everything but Mg. Phos is as close to yellow as it can be on that test kit. Its prob not 0, but its barely readable.

I agree Kh needs to come up and ive been putting in kH buffer every other night or so. I am going to test again tonight.

API test kits are not the most reliable. When it comes to phos your best bet would be a Hanna Checker (the cheapest phos test kit available).

You can dose mag every night until you get it up to where you want it.

Did you read what I posted about the Christmas wrasse?

You can move the torch up to the right side, and see if that helps.:bagfish:

 

[flyrfrk33]

Yup i am thinking about making a small change to see if it gets better, if its the same ill see how i like the look, if it gets worse ill put it back where it was... pretty simple stuff and an easy test.

I did read that and did some serious research on it. My dad has a 75g tank and he will prob get the christmas wrasse in a few months. sad but true.. hes a great little fishy!

 

[Awibrandy]

Yup i am thinking about making a small change to see if it gets better, if its the same ill see how i like the look, if it gets worse ill put it back where it was... pretty simple stuff and an easy test.

I did read that and did some serious research on it. My dad has a 75g tank and he will prob get the christmas wrasse in a few months. sad but true.. hes a great little fishy!

Give it a couple of days to adjust where ever you put it. Don't expect sudden change.
Good glad to read. The fish will be much happier!! Yes, they are great one of my favorites. I unfortunately have one of the mean Mystery Wrasse so I can't have any others. Use to have 16+ wrasse which the Christmas wrasse was one of, but then I added the Mystery, and now the only wrasse in my tank are the possum, 4 line, and the Mystery.
Always research anything you plan to add to your tank. Not only for care, but for temperament as well. And then check with MR members before making your purchase so that you don't waste $$$, or cost animals life.

 

[MatthewScars]

yup - been dosing Mg every night and I am not putting any calcium in the tank whatsoever. I used instant ocean reef crystals. I use API test kits for everything but Mg. Phos is as close to yellow as it can be on that test kit. Its prob not 0, but its barely readable.

I agree Kh needs to come up and ive been putting in kH buffer every other night or so. I am going to test again tonight.

Yeah, API are crap. Sorry to say, but the good kits are $$$. Pick up some Red Sea kits. They are the best.

Also, Instant Ocean is a cheap crappy salt mix, IMO. I had massive issues with 3 buckets bought from separate dealers at different times.

I use RED SEA salt now, and have never had an issue with MAG. I just dose AB.

Im not saying this is causing anything, im saying from my personal exp, RED SEA test kits and salt ftw

 

[flyrfrk33]

thanks for the insight guys. really do appreciate and will be upgrading test kits in about a month when my LFS has there big end of year sale. I personally like the reef crystals as the salt, its been steady and ok for the most part. My dad uses the red sea and has been having some issues with that as well.. I think once i get the Mg up to 1300 where it should be and the kh to 9/10 then everything will balance out.

 

[E.intheC]

I've used Instant Ocean for a while with no problems.
You might want to try and adjust the flow on your torch. It may be getting too much. Just throwing that out there as well.

 

[flyrfrk33]

Hey E.intheC - thanks for the response. I do not think its getting too much flow... id say if anything not getting enough. my 3 fish certainly do laps and that helps move the torch around but other then when theya re doing laps, its just calmly blowing in the water

 

[tosiek]

Get a closer pick of it. Can't tell what type of torch it is.

And it likes a specific type of flow. Its either too much or too little when it does bad and the only way you can tell is how its closed up.

 

[Awibrandy]

I also use Instant Ocean. Been using it for the 5+ years my 155 was set up. I don't have any issues with it.
Few months back test on freshly made water were:
Mag 1360
Alk 13.1dkh
Cal 430
My tanks problems have been with other things like equipment failure.
As for test kits I use Salifert Kits...

Check isgon26's prices, he is a vendor on MR lives in Manhattan, and has great prices. You don't need to wait for a sale day at your LFS.
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/gotham-aquatics/125389-dry-goods-list.html

 

[flyrfrk33]

Awi is that just regular instant ocean (purple branding) or reef crystals (orange branding). just curious as i use reef crystals... i have never checked mag or calcium in a new bucket of water. I just make sure temp, salinity, nitrates, phosphate and ammonia are good to go

 

[Awibrandy]

It's the purple one. I don't test the new water for cal, alk, and mag every single time. Only periodically to make sure that they have not changed it up.
I only test for salinity, as my RO/DI water is kept at the same temp as my tank.

That was a reply to the poster that said IO is garbage.lol