Too much light for torch coral?

[Jasonf08]

Recently i noticed my wife's torch coral closing up around the last hour or two that the light is on in her tank. She has a 24 gallon nanocube with a 150watt MH sunpod 14k bulb that is new. I am not as experienced with LPS as i am with sps & wondered if this is natural or just too much light for the torch? I also noticed at this time it seems to have one bubble in the middle of the tentacles as it closes up.

Thanks for your thoughts

 

[MrPike]

How close is the halide to the water? Is the coral new to the system, or is the light new to the system? I know for a fact that torch can handle that much light and more, its a question of acclimation.

The bubble in the middle sounds like it may be dividing.

 

[Jasonf08]

I bought the torch from my lfs. The light sits onlegs that give it approx 3 inches off of the water. I have the torch onthe sand bed. But, it's in a bright section of the light. Kind of sounds like it's just adjusting ?

 

[kpendarvis]

All of my Euphyllia species start to close about 2 hours before the light go out also. I have everything on timers so the daylight period is the same every day. My lights are on for 9 hours each day. New corals in my tank adopt this routine after a month or so and open about an hour before the lights turn on and close 1-2 hours before the lights turn off. They are very healthy and growing.
The bubble does mean the head is splitting and will soon grow in two directions.
Just wait and watch. Unless the flesh starts to rapidly recede up the base or the coral stops opening completely, I would not change a thing. Let it adjust, and this can take a while.

 

[rob1991]

^^very well said......as long as its conditions are similar or close to the LFS light position.

 

[dragonette]

+1
mine start to close a little before the lights turn off. Sometimes Ill override the timer so that I can enjoy the tank a little later (its in my office so if Im gonna be at my desk Ill leave it on later) and still the corals are not really willing to fully open back up after thier usual bedtime.

As far as the 'bubble' : a bubble in the flesh (as long as its not nasty brown-jelly or something) is usually the sign of a head splitting.

Best bet is to just leave it where it is, and let it adjust. I have 3 torches in my 24g AP with a 150w sunpod over it and they are at all different spots in the tank (high/low light). They are doing great... as long as you dont mess with them!

Good Luck! Torches are my all time fav. coral!
Jessica.