Torch in a Biocube 14?

subielover

subielover

Active Member
I want to get a torch, probably just one head maybe two. Anyhow I want to make sure that it will be ok in my tank. I have a biocube 14 with stock lighting, which is 48 watts of pc lighting
Eventually I will be getting mh, but am wondering if it will be ok for a few months with the stock lighting. Also as far as flow, what do they prefer. Thanks for any input, as I really love this type of coral.
 
jerryatrick

jerryatrick

Active Member
Originally Posted by subielover
http:///forum/post/2734900
I want to get a torch, probably just one head maybe two. Anyhow I want to make sure that it will be ok in my tank. I have a biocube 14 with stock lighting, which is 48 watts of pc lighting
Eventually I will be getting mh, but am wondering if it will be ok for a few months with the stock lighting. Also as far as flow, what do they prefer. Thanks for any input, as I really love this type of coral.

PC lighting will be fine. As for flow I would say medium. Keep an eye on it for the first few days. If you notice a brown slime on it make sure you post here so we can help you out.
 
subielover

subielover

Active Member
Alright great, I have pretty much flow in my tank but I think I have a nice spot for it. It will be about midway up my tank so hopefully it gets enough light. Thanks for the info, anybody else? Also what about feeding it??
 
jerryatrick

jerryatrick

Active Member
Originally Posted by subielover
http:///forum/post/2734932
Alright great, I have pretty much flow in my tank but I think I have a nice spot for it. It will be about midway up my tank so hopefully it gets enough light. Thanks for the info, anybody else? Also what about feeding it??
Don't have to feed it but if you want it will take some mysis.
 
jerryatrick

jerryatrick

Active Member
Be careful handling the torch. Like hammer and frogspawn corals you want to avoid banging or touching the heads.
Not sure on your experience level with reefs but don't judge your ability to keep coral by a torch. Torches have given people headaches.
 
subielover

subielover

Active Member
Ok, so any tips on how to handle them. I am definitely not the most experienced but I do try to do my research and try to know what I am getting into before I purchase something.
 
jerryatrick

jerryatrick

Active Member
Originally Posted by subielover
http:///forum/post/2734975
Ok, so any tips on how to handle them. I am definitely not the most experienced but I do try to do my research and try to know what I am getting into before I purchase something.
Only touch the skeleton. When placing the torch in the tank you are going to have to find a spot where it can be wedged. In between two pieces of LR or in the sandbed.
 
jerryatrick

jerryatrick

Active Member
Originally Posted by subielover
http:///forum/post/2734985
Can I glue the skeleton to the rock, or is this a no-no?
Depends on how the bottom is shaped. I guess you could cut the bottom to make it flat so it can be glued but I would rather find a nice spot in between two rocks.
 
socal57che

socal57che

Active Member
Originally Posted by subielover
http:///forum/post/2734900
I want to get a torch, probably just one head maybe two. Anyhow I want to make sure that it will be ok in my tank. I have a biocube 14 with stock lighting, which is 48 watts of pc lighting
Eventually I will be getting mh, but am wondering if it will be ok for a few months with the stock lighting. Also as far as flow, what do they prefer. Thanks for any input, as I really love this type of coral.

In a 14 you may have issues with proximity. There's not much room, and torches sweep. I'd start with a single head and watch it. Mine (three heads) grew very fast and it began to sting some zoas that I thought were far enough away.
Remember, it will sweep.
Originally Posted by subielover
http:///forum/post/2734975
Ok, so any tips on how to handle them.
Wear gloves. Swirl the water above them (make like a mini whirlpool) and they will retract allowing you to grab the skeleton.
 
jadette

jadette

Member
Agree with previous poster. A torch will outgrow your Biocube very fast, unless you don't mind getting some of your other corals stung.
Never had a torch/hammer/frogspawn in my nano for more than a few months before I had to give them away b/c of their quick growth and sweeper tentacles.
 
jerryatrick

jerryatrick

Active Member
Originally Posted by jadette
http:///forum/post/2735200
Agree with previous poster. A torch will outgrow your Biocube very fast, unless you don't mind getting some of your other corals stung.
Never had a torch/hammer/frogspawn in my nano for more than a few months before I had to give them away b/c of their quick growth and sweeper tentacles.
Just out of curiosity, what type of lighting and placement did you provide for the torch/hammer/frogspawn? I only ask because your growth is unreal unless of course your nano is jam packed with coral.
The OP doesn't have a tank filled with coral and it is not a given that the torch will have a sweeper tentacle. Problem is the majority of them do. I was fortunate to come across a short tentacle torch that has not shown a sweeper tentacle.
 
subielover

subielover

Active Member
At the moment I ony have a few zoas and some star polyps, so the torch should have plenty of room. I figured if it got too large, I would frag it.
 
socal57che

socal57che

Active Member
Originally Posted by subielover
http:///forum/post/2735348
At the moment I ony have a few zoas and some star polyps, so the torch should have plenty of room. I figured if it got too large, I would frag it.

Just remember that unlike soft corals it cannot just be cut to frag. The skeleton needs to be exposed far enough to avoid damaging live tissue. It may get pretty big before this happens. Mine is barely ready to frag and could sweep 5 inches in any direction. I moved a powerhead to gently blow it away from my zoas. Just give it plenty of room and keep an eye on it.
My hammer sweeps, too, but not nearly as far as my torch.
 
subielover

subielover

Active Member
Thanks socal and jerry for the tips I appreciated them
I am going to see the torch next week. I talked to the guy again today and he said that they are a nice green color.
 
socal57che

socal57che

Active Member
I took a few pics of my torch today. It was sweeping and I thought of this thread. This will give you an idea of what a sweeper does. It basically creates a swath around the torch. They extend farther than the rest of the tentacles and feel their way around. As you can see, the purple yuma is now within reach of the torch, where it was safe just a few days ago. Pics are so much more telling than words so here ya go.



 
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