Is this normal?

[jazreef]

I have had this torch coral for about 2-3 weeks now. It been looking great. At night I notice that it closes up pretty small, but I can still see the polyps. Tonight when I looked at it, I can see what looks like the skeleton? Is this normal or should I be worried?

 

[NonstopSoda]

it might just be retracting at night, does it still look like that with the lights on during the day?

 

[jazreef]

No not at all. The other photo I attached is how it looks during the day. I just took the photo of it retracted, I’m only concerned cause it usually doesn’t retract that much all over. Some spots look like that when it’s retracted, but not the whole thing.

 

[Rjukan]

I have had this torch coral for about 2-3 weeks now. It been looking great. At night I notice that it closes up pretty small, but I can still see the polyps. Tonight when I looked at it, I can see what looks like the skeleton? Is this normal or should I be worried?

A good indicator of torch or hammer health is the width of the "flesh band" when the tentacles are retracted. It's white and runs around the top and down the sides of the skeleton. The further down the sides it goes, the better health the coral is in. That picture looks like it's receding a bit more than I would like.

What are your parameters? Are nitrate and phosphate low?

 

[jazreef]

A good indicator of torch or hammer health is the width of the "flesh band" when the tentacles are retracted. It's white and runs around the top and down the sides of the skeleton. The further down the sides it goes, the better health the coral is in. That picture looks like it's receding a bit more than I would like.

What are your parameters? Are nitrate and phosphate low?

My nitrates are 6ppm, and I haven’t tested for phosphate, but I will. Anything else you suggest testing for? Or should I do everything?

 

[Rjukan]

My nitrates are 6ppm, and I haven’t tested for phosphate, but I will. Anything else you suggest testing for? Or should I do everything?

I think people who will try to help will want to know them all.

 

[jazreef]

I think people who will try to help will want to know them all.

I just tested all that I have this is what I got, my nitrate is a lot higher than what I thought it was from before. (I also don’t have the phosphate tester atm so this is what I’m working with)
Magnesium 1700ppm
Calcium 470ppm
KH 7.3dKH
pH 7.8-8.0
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 20ppm

 

[jazreef]

I just tested all that I have this is what I got, my nitrate is a lot higher than what I thought it was from before. (I also don’t have the phosphate tester atm so this is what I’m working with)
Magnesium 1700ppm
Calcium 470ppm
KH 7.3dKH
pH 7.8-8.0
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 20ppm

This morning it’s looking completely normal. Not sure why it’s closing up that much though.

 

[Rjukan]

This morning it’s looking completely normal. Not sure why it’s closing up that much though.

Brightwell makes a product called Restor that has great reviews here about helping restore tissue in LPS corals. I haven't used it yet, but I've read a lot of people here use it and like the results a lot. Maybe that's something to consider, unless someone else chimes in with another suggestion.