Torch coral......Help!

[deralps1]

My torch coral has slowly started to not come out as much. Now one of the group is basically sucked all the way in. It is high in the tank under 210watts PC's amo-0, nitrites-0, nitrates-0, sal-1.24, ph-8.2, temp 78-80 throughout day.
I feed fish every other day and add no other supplementation other than this. I have had this torch for about 3 wks now and am not sure if maybe I need to start to supp with something to feed my corals more.
Please help, very nice looking coral. Can provide picture if needed.
Thanks D

 

[tree]

I believe you need to start suplementing with phytoplankton. There are a number of brands. I currently use DTs. I only feed my torch chopped up seafood once a week. DTs goes in every other day and fingers crossed they have been doing fine for 2 months now.

 

[greatfullreefer]

What is your alk and calcium at?

 

[deralps1]

tree-
so you have to actually place the food, or do you just let the current do it?
greatfullreefer-
If you mean PH by alk it is at 8.2, and my calcium appears to over 450 on my cal test chart so I am not exactly sure.
Thanks Guys for the quick reply!
d

 

[tree]

I use a medicine dropper (looks like a mini turkey baster but does measurements in teaspoons) to put the phytoplankton in the current from the powerheads. Amounts are specifiec on the bottle for amount per gallon. I need the plankton for my featherdusters, polyps & clams as well. For the chopped seafood, I use a pair of tweezers to place a very small piece on the head of each branch of the torch. You can tell if it is eating the seafood because it will stick to the "tentacles" (yes I know that's the wrong word but I can't think of the right one at the moment), the tentacles will then move the food toward it's "mouth", after a few minutes to an hour the seafood will be completely enveloped by the mouth if it was cut up small enough.

 

[greatfullreefer]

Even though PH and ALK are related you do need to check for both. PH can remain constant whilst alk can drop considerably especialy when adding calcium suppliments. With cal at 450 your alk should be monitored and kept between 11 and 12 dkh.

 

[rangermonroe]

I cut the bottom from a 2 liter bottle, and place it over mine. I then add the food. The coral immediately open and feeds. After a while I "stir " the water by squirting a little in the bottle. This keeps the food suspended for the tentacles to catch.
This method seems less labor intensive that what you are describing.

 

[tree]

I'll have to keep that in mind. Do you use that for plankton feeding , seafood feeding, or both? Right now my torch only has 7 branches so it is pretty easy.

 

[stapler]

How often do you feed your corals?

 

[dburr]

It is high in the tank under 210watts PC's

I have had this torch for about 3 wks now
Have you thought about moving it down alittle. Maybe half way down?

 

[suver569]

I've been told that massive waterflow to them is a must. I have a small powerhead nearly pointing straight at mine and it's doing great.

 

[deralps1]

Thanks guys. I will try to feed the some supps. Also my calcium is reading very high so I might have a toxic condition. I will keep you up to date on all your ideas I will try.
D