Saving my golden torch coral

[kleach]

Hi everyone,

I've had my Golden Torch coral for almost 2 years now, but not its not looking so hot. I also have 8-10 heads of frogspawn coral, and a bunch of other LPS.

Although my levels have remained relatively constant (alk around 9, ca around 500, mg around 1400) things haven't been going so well. I think its because of my nitrates which were elevated at about 15-20 for a while there. I'm not living at the house where the tank is, so its a little more difficult to constantly check the levels.

I've completely lost my lobo and 2 heads of hammer coral which used to be great. Out of the frogspawn I've lost about 5 heads and the others don't open like the used to. On my acans I've lost some random heads but the remaining parts of the colonies seem stable.

What worries me the most now is the golden torch. It really hasn't been opening like it used to, and now it looks like the flesh is starting to retreat into the center exposing the skeleton on the edges.....just like what happened when I lost my lobo. Is there anyone who has any tips in saving the coral, or is it pretty much past the point of no return?

I did a 20% water change on the 26th, and am doing another 20% tomorrow. I think the last water change before christmas was a week or so before. I'm trying to do more now that I've seen my tank start taking a turn for the worse.

Let me know if you have any ideas...I'm finally starting to understand why people leave this hobby lol.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Need to see a picture and need a full set of parameters exactly what they are. Also nitrates of 15-20 isn't going to destroy these LPS corals. But have to see pictures to give any advice

 

[kleach]

I'll have to get parameters later today. Thanks!

 

[A1t2o]

Water temp? does your heater keep up with the cooler nights? Also check ammonia and nitrites, something could have been added to the tank when you were not around. Did anyone clean with a spray chemical near the tank? Or did anyone spray anything in the air in that room? Try running carbon just in case.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

It almost looks like it has brown jelly disease. Do you see any brown stringy stuff hanging on it anywhere? If so you will want to do an iodine dip asap. You can buy iodine at any place that sells people health items, like any pharmacy. Here is the link to using iodine to kill bacterial infections on corals. http://www.athiel.com/lib/bacterial.html

Also have you fed it at all since you got it?

 

[kleach]

Water temp stays at 76. I have a probe that kicks the chiller or heater on if it varies at all.

Salinity stays at 1.024 - I have an ATO

Readings taken today:
Alk-9.0-9.2
Ca- 520
Mg- 1440
Nitrates- 10-20
Phosphates- .04-.08

I see no evidence of brown jelly stringy stuff coming off of it, and I don't see that on the frogspawn that's currently suffering, or the lobo or hammer coral that already died. But, what are the odds that everything would die off together? The last stuff I added to the tank was over a month ago and I think it was after all this nonsense had already started. I don't know where I would have gotten it from.

Should I iodine dip anyway?? Would it stress the coral out and kill it seeing it's already in bad shape?

Thanks for any help!!!

 

[kleach]

And no, I haven't target fed it. But guess what I'm about to try and do...lol

 

[kleach]

I just target fed and the torch coral was receptive to the food. It grabbed onto it and closed around it. The frogspawn did absolutely nothing.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I broadcast feed my tank twice a week and once every two weeks or so I target feed heavily. LOL My fish love it and are so very fat afterwards :lmao:

You know I was thinking about this today and if it were mine I would dip it. Iodine is good to have on hand anyway and it's good to iodine dip newly cut frags. It promotes healing and fights off any infections.

 

[kleach]

Well, it looks like it might be too little too late on my part. I just got to my parents house where the tank is and the torch looks like it took a turn for the worse overnight. Granted the lights weren't on yet so there was no extension, all of the sides of the skeleton are exposed with the polyps all retracted in the middle. Doesn't look good, but I am dipping in the lugols solution now. Thank you to everyone who responded and if by some miracle it pulls through I'll post and let you know! Happy new year!

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Lugols will more than likely kill it, you need to dip it in iodine.

 

[kleach]

Crap! Well, I did a dip in Kent lugols according to the instructions. I read the link you gave me and it was suggested in there, but i guess I didn't know how strong it is. I don't think the coral is going to pull through at this point. It looks terrible, which is annoying since only a small part of it was receding yesterday. I'll post again if it makes it...