Torch Coral dying

[Hightower33]

I had a beautiful torch coral that was so vibrant and healthy with long flowing tentacles. Over the past 3 weeks it is melting away turning white on the outer edges.

Dont know whats wrong. Suggestions would be appreciated. Here are current parameters.

Alk 9.6DKH (3.43meq)
Calcium 400
PH Avg 7.9-8.1
Salinity 1.025
Temp 78-79
Nitrate .5
Nitrite/Ammonia -negligible
VHO lighting (torch is midway in 90 gal tank)
Magnesium 1200
No inverts or fish bothering it.
No other corals in stinging distant
Flow is moderate

 

[JmLee]

It could have nothing to do with your husbandry or parameters. It could be just the specimen its self.

 

[Hightower33]

So there is nothing I can do except watch it melt away?

 

[lemonhead]

How many watts of vho and how old are the bulbs? how long have you had the coral? also how much water current is it in. have you been feeding it? PH is a little low. Does your PH fall lower than 7.8 after the lights have been off for a few hours?

 

[Hightower33]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7045480#post7045480 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lemonhead
How many watts of vho and how old are the bulbs? how long have you had the coral? also how much water current is it in. have you been feeding it? PH is a little low. Does your PH fall lower than 7.8 after the lights have been off for a few hours?

440 watts total. Actinics are about 6mo old, and the suns coming up on 1 year.

Had the coral for about 5mo.

It was being spot fed, but recently when its been melting away it hasnt taken anything.

I always struggle with low ph but it doesnt fall below 7.8

 

[lemonhead]

the sun bulbs being old could be a problem. try to increase KH with a carbonate buffer like reef builder by seachem to get kh around 11-12dkh. that should help with ph problem, if still is low than there is a problem with co2 or excessive organic waste breaking down. to fix these problems more water current especially at the surface, good skimmer, and water changes. how much water current is the coral in?

 

[Hightower33]

I have a air pump pumping outside air with a couple airstones for dissipating co2, and the surface is very turbulent due to a turbelle stream 6060. Plus there is another power head on the other end.
The tank itself is run through by a T4 pump with 2 wands for output. I dont think ciruclation is a problem.

I have an ASM G2 skimmer that pulls nice skimmate, and a refugium full of cheato.

Otherwise tank is very healthy with somewhat of a problem with coraline overcoming everything, which isnt necessarily a bad thing.


I guess the bulbs are coming up on thier lifespan?.

 

[Gundo5000]

Mine died not too long ago and I'm gonna blame old bulbs and or not enough flow.