Beaux Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 I have had conflicted answers about this so I am hoping the community can help. I was told that if a multi headed torch, if some of them started to look sickly (retreating and not doing the normal full extensions) that the "sickly" ones should be cut off immediately. On head is doing wonderful, however the other 2 are jut starting that look. This is a separate tank from the 20 g that for some unknown reason they do not survive. Every single parameter is on par, and I added chemipure elete as per LFS instructions. I have no clue how to frag, or tools that would be needed. Is this true? Do they need to be cut off? I have done the redips for parasite infestation. I guess I am going to have to accept the fact I will never be able to keep my most favorite coral. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 imho, depends on the size and accessibility really. i have a colony thats the size of the upper half of a basketball. i've seen a couple heads die off towards the back-bottom. it would cause more harm to move it around and deal w/ that vs letting it die off. if it starts spreading, then yea, you gotta do something. this comes in handy if you want to try and mitigate w/o removing: http://amzn.com/B007A3MBJS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaux Posted July 13, 2018 Author Share Posted July 13, 2018 Thanks for the reply and suggestion Isaac. I will have to research it because i am not at all familiar with it. Plus it's only a 3 head piece. What really strikes me as odd, I am at the understanding that bubblehead and torchs are from the same subspecies, my bubbleheads are thriving while the torch is just withering away like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 same flow/lighting for both? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sascha D. Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 IME fragging the Euphyllia hasn't made a difference. Sometimes one head can be doing fine while another head immediately next to it can be closed up. I've had the same result when I've fragged the closed head off and when I've left it on. Make sure all heads are closed as much as they go, remove the coral and dip it in Melafix, Coral Rx (they're pretty much the same) or iodine. These dips will treat bacterial infections and kill pests, but don't dip more than 3 minutes. Check the closed head for sand or other particles that could be irritating it. It helps to use turkey baster. If it's some sort of infection or pest, then you will have to dip multiple times at regular intervals. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaux Posted July 13, 2018 Author Share Posted July 13, 2018 Thanks Sascha, I have only used the iodine dip, and did so as per my LFS advice. I dip anything new and quarantine tank long before it foes into my main tank. I am unsure if the weekly dose in the main tank does anything for pest control or if it's for nutrients, but reccomend dose 1x week. Another feature that aqdiary app has is a reminder feature. Possibly I need to be a little more clear on the "shrinking" part. I get the new torch and the tentacles start thick as yarn and observe the shrink to thin as thread and die. 8 hours ago, Isaac said: some questions... what are your water parameters? what do you dose, feed, and how? what kind of flow are they in? what lights do you have? how far down are the corals from the water level? do you have any algae blooms? do you have a health amount of coraline (its not directly related, but gives us an idea of the tank's maturity/stability)? help us build your environment so we have a better idea on what to try. 47 minutes ago, Sascha D. said: IME fragging the Euphyllia hasn't made a difference. Sometimes one head can be doing fine while another head immediately next to it can be closed up. I've had the same result when I've fragged the closed head off and when I've left it on. Make sure all heads are closed as much as they go, remove the coral and dip it in Melafix, Coral Rx (they're pretty much the same) or iodine. These dips will treat bacterial infections and kill pests, but don't dip more than 3 minutes. Check the closed head for sand or other particles that could be irritating it. It helps to use turkey baster. If it's some sort of infection or pest, then you will have to dip multiple times at regular intervals. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sascha D. Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 Iodine is the oldest dip in the hobby, the hardest dip to use and more stressful on the corals than other dips readily available today, but treats almost everything. Twenty years ago the hobby wasn't as mainstream as it is today and we used what we could. Near everything was done DIY out of necessity instead of novelty like it is today. Part of the reason I suggested dipping is because Euphyllias, bubble corals, and brains are known to get bacterial and fungal infections. How long did you dip your coral? What water did you use to dip the coral? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaux Posted July 13, 2018 Author Share Posted July 13, 2018 I do weekly water changes. Only as much as needed to rid surface debris, so around 1/4th weekly. Salinity 1.25 constant. I always check the new water parameters before use to mirror my main tank as close as possible. PH 8.3- 8.2 Ammonia 0 Calcium 450 KH 8 Nitrate 0 Nitrite 0 KH 8 PO4 0 In my sump tank a protien skimmer rated for a 40 gal tank, hob filter for a 70 gallon tank, mine is only a 20 long, that green mass algae chieo (sp) heater and return. The tank is not drilled so I use a HOB thing for the intake drain into my sump. Like I said every other piece of coral are flourishing from my candycanes, acordia mushrooms, regular mushrooms, 2 medium sized green tipped toadstools and many regular toadstools. A few of my mushrooms have propagated and 8 to 10 pieces from the regular toadstools. I have heard this before about my lighting, unfortunatly being on a limited income, there is no possibly way to spend $250 to $300 on that Chineseblack box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaux Posted July 13, 2018 Author Share Posted July 13, 2018 Sascha, I used about 15 to 20 drops, not so dark that I can't see if anything falls off. I use water from my main tank and I usually let it sit 15 to 20 minutes and then into the quarantine tank. My quarantine tank only contains just the basics a heater a cheap power head and and even much worse light. It is also bare bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaux Posted July 13, 2018 Author Share Posted July 13, 2018 same flow/lighting for both?Yes, they were approximately 3 to 4 inches from each other. Same movements on both as well.Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sascha D. Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 If the torch is in the same tank with the leathers and mushrooms doing well, then it's probably not the lighting or the nutrients. The dip concentration sounds fine. I only dip my corals between 3-5 minutes because I've had bad luck with extended dips. I did a quick web search and other people dip their LPS for 20 minutes, so it's probably not the length. Nothing stands out to me based on the information you've provided, but maybe someone else can think of something. Is it possible that the receding heads were stung? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoneroller Posted July 17, 2018 Share Posted July 17, 2018 It might have nothing to do with your process or your tank. It could be the fact that torch corals are hard to keep. Watch this recent video (made for you?!) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaux Posted July 17, 2018 Author Share Posted July 17, 2018 It might have nothing to do with your process or your tank. It could be the fact that torch corals are hard to keep. Watch this recent video (made for you?!) Thank you so much stoneroller for taking the time to find this video for me.Just from watching it I have gained so much more insite from all the research I have been doing on my own.I think for now I will just stick with the hammer or frogspawns, which I currently have and are flourishing.I have my last 3 head torch and will heed the advice from the video and just wait it out and hope it survives. Like the video says the color variations and the far extensions is what attracted me to the torch.I mostly blame myself for not having enough knowledge. I dislike knowing that I killed a living creature. But I put an equal amount of blame on Google. 9 out of 10 sites I used for research claim that torches are great for a beginner coral! Along with the ease of care for them. Which after my experiences with them have all lead to failure. Again thank you so much for locating that video, it was just what I needed.Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Posted July 17, 2018 Share Posted July 17, 2018 look at it this way... its a learning process... nothing is really "wrong" (unless yer just being neglectful). having a price tag on things just gives you more motivation to learn faster! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BobcatReefer Posted July 18, 2018 Share Posted July 18, 2018 I just wanted to thank the OP for editing the title, as it was triggering my GSP OCD something fierce! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mFrame Posted July 18, 2018 Share Posted July 18, 2018 4 hours ago, BobcatReefer said: I just wanted to thank the OP for editing the title, as it was triggering my GSP OCD something fierce! 😉 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.