Yet Another Torch Not Extending Post

kornface13 · Sep 30, 2024

I've had this torch for many months. Had a little algae bloom and it hasn't wanted to fully extend again. I havne't seen it fully extended in at least 3 weeks.
The video shows what the torch looks like today. The green one that I show near the end is roughly how long these polys used to be.

Parameters are as follows (highest and lowest from the past two weeks):
Salinity : 1.025
Phos: .04 - .09
Nitrate: 7 - 10
Magnesium : 1310
Calcium : 420
Alk : 9.9 was the highest like 3 weeks ago, but I've been bringing it down super slowly. Were at 9.2 currently.

I'm thinking I should dip it, but I can decided between a normal coral drip (I have Fritz Bug Out Pro) or an iodine dip. Or both?? Or just continue to leave it alone? I just don't want to to start getting even more receded and showing skeleton, which seems like it's generally the point of no return. Its hard to tell, but I think its ever so slowly getting worse rather than getting better.

I have been gently messing with my lighting schedule due to the algae bloom, but I have it where I think I want it and haven't messed with it in close to a week. Its 2 AI Prime HD16s about 9.5" above the water on my JBJ45. All morning leading up to max lighting, the rest of my corals look great. Every afternoon after the peak light time (1:30pm) my frogspawn is a bit recessed as well, so maybe this is too much light and the torch is just never fully extending? The torch is pretty much the same in the morning and afternoon. You can see my zoas in the back, slightly lower than the torch, they are really extended and reaching up towards the light. These were not like this when I got them, so it definitely leads me to believe my par is probably more on the low side than the high side. All my other zoas are not exhibiting the same behavior though.

Any thoughts?

Heres a short video :

ReefStable · Sep 30, 2024

It may not be fully extended, but it also doesn't look receeded. Personally I wouldn't do anything for a little but and keep an eye on it. If it gets worse, an iodine dip may help.

Lavey29 · Sep 30, 2024

How old is your tank? Kind of looks like the head is splitting and they often retract when this occurs.

kornface13 · Oct 8, 2024

Alright, this thing has continued to slowly get worse. I'd like to try one last dip before considering it a goner. Would you recommend a CoralRx or Hydrogen Peroxide dip?

Also, I want to dip my other euphyllia just in case, so same question for those. My other torch is booming and seems perfect, but my frogspawn does seem to be not a puffy as it once was, so it very well may be headed downt he same road this torch went down.

crazyfishmom · Oct 8, 2024

kornface13 said:
Alright, this thing has continued to slowly get worse. I'd like to try one last dip before considering it a goner. Would you recommend a CoralRx or Hydrogen Peroxide dip?

Oof… this poor torch is on its way out. Two recommendations: antibiotic bath for 24 hrs and then restore. I have to say though, I’m not sure there’s coming back from this but trying can’t hurt.

kornface13 · Oct 8, 2024

crazyfishmom said:
Oof… this poor torch is on its way out. Two recommendations: antibiotic bath for 24 hrs and then restore. I have to say though, I’m not sure there’s coming back from this but trying can’t hurt.

Absolutely agree. Not dipping and leaving it was clearly the wrong call, so I might as well just try and see if by some miracle it recovers.

What kind of antibiotic dip would you try? Iodine, coralRX, and hydrogen peroxide are all mentioned often when talking about antibiotic dips, but I don't think any of them could be 24 hours. I really want to do the cipro dip, but I can't find any way to get it without a prescription.

crazyfishmom · Oct 8, 2024

kornface13 said:
Absolutely agree. Not dipping and leaving it was clearly the wrong call, so I might as well just try and see if by some miracle it recovers.

What kind of antibiotic dip would you try? Iodine, coralRX, and hydrogen peroxide are all mentioned often when talking about antibiotic dips, but I don't think any of them could be 24 hours. I really want to do the cipro dip, but I can't find any way to get it without a prescription.

You can buy them here: Cipro without a prescription.

None of those other dips will help against bacterial infections, not like cipro.

Another antibiotic to consider which is easier to get is oxolinic acid.

Not sure the antibiotics will make it quickly enough to you to save this one but I would consider stocking up. It’s unfortunate but it happens and having these tools on hand makes a big difference.

Best of luck!