Torch Coral question

[fishy408]

With my aquascape, my torch corals are 2-3 inches from the surface in the morning, and when fully expanded in the evening, the tentacles are touching the surface. (see! pic)

Does anyone have experience with this?

What are the possible cons?

What I am seeing as cons.

• water change, skeleton not exposed to air yet, but with more vertical growth, it could be a possibility.
• skeletal formation is umbrella-like. For example, A 4-5 head torch skeleton grows horizontally, sharing the same flesh band.

If this setup is unhealthy for the torch corals, which are about 80% of my corals, I might have to re-aquascape again.

 

[Don.Julio91]

no expert but I would just have two concerns:

1.Par, since you are really close to the surface the lights have super strength there. Check Par for optimal torch par.

2. Tentacles, if the flow makes them break the surface I don’t think that would be good. I think all corals are good for short periods taken out as long as they are wet. But long term have them out like that periodically would be a concern.

 

[MichaelB]

Mine strech more during peak lighting they shrink under diming and ramping periods.

Yet @MarcosD is my current torch expert I inqure of all things torches. He may have some first hand experience in his shallow frag system.

 

[fishy408]

All my Spidey senses are telling me I need to change my aquascape and lower the torches in my shallow tank :-( . Things are going so well that I didn't want to make any major changes like the aquascape, but some of the troches have grown from single heads to 10 heads, so I might have to. :-(

 

[MarcosD]

Do you have a picture of how it looks when they’re open?

 

[tribbitt]

Send a picture of video of them during the day, we can see better if something’s wrong

In aquariums, flow at the surface is often relatively quick because that’s the side without frictional forces (drag) from the glass

Also of course light is brighter

If they’re not being blown around like crazy or overlit though it could be fine

 

[PjFish]

Curious how the growth structure is? being that close to the top since the sides would get alot more par less shading vs deeper..Are heads leveling/ tabling out? Is that a frag tank setup? Doesn’t look like you can go much lower..
They look great!! Share a top down lights on pic!

 

[fishy408]

This is the video around 4pm - Daylight Schedule.

Around evening time, "blue lights" , the torches expand more. I will take a video of torches during evening time.

 

[fishy408]

Curious how the growth structure is? being that close to the top since the sides would get alot more par less shading vs deeper..Are heads leveling/ tabling out? Is that a frag tank setup? Doesn’t look like you can go much lower..
They look great!! Share a top down lights on pic!

They look like they are tabling out, like an umbrella where they have grown multiple heads but sharing the same skeleton because they can't go vertical. Will take a top-down view later.

It's not a frag tank but a shallow tank. I believe about 13 inch height. The rock structure places the torch at approximately 6-7 inches. The torch body is 3-4 inches, which leaves about 2-4 inches from the torch touching the surface.

 

[MarcosD]

They look like they are tabling out, like an umbrella where they have grown multiple heads but sharing the same skeleton because they can't go vertical. Will take a top-down view later.

It's not a frag tank but a shallow tank. I believe about 13 inch height. The rock structure places the torch at approximately 6-7 inches. The torch body is 3-4 inches, which leaves about 2-4 inches from the torch touching the surface.

Do you mean like this kinda?

 

[Invictus]

At the moment, I’d say there’s no issue. However, once they get even an inch taller the ones in front of the flow are going to start blocking it from those behind. You will eventually need to lower them if you want to continue to encourage growth and prevent issues. Personally I’d enjoy it as is for a couple more months since it seems like you have it dialed in, and then make a plan to change the scape.

 

[fishy408]

Do you mean like this kinda?

Very similar, but in the photo, you can see the flesh splitting. If I remember correctly, mine has a single big flesh band that spreads across multiple heads. I will try to take a pic.

 

[fishy408]

At the moment, I’d say there’s no issue. However, once they get even an inch taller the ones in front of the flow are going to start blocking it from those behind. You will eventually need to lower them if you want to continue to encourage growth and prevent issues. Personally I’d enjoy it as is for a couple more months since it seems like you have it dialed in, and then make a plan to change the scape.

I think this is the best path forward.

 

[fishy408]

Do you mean like this kinda?

Easier to take a picture in the morning.
@MarcosD

 

[tribbitt]

Easier to take a picture in the morning.
@MarcosD
View attachment 71629

That’s a healthy flesh band

Just not a lot of vertical room to grow

 

[fishy408]

That’s a healthy flesh band

Just not a lot of vertical room to grow

Luckily enough, I have a few people interested in my aquascape and I can either think of an aquascape or frag rack system to allow the vertical growth needed.

 

[Invictus]

Luckily enough, I have a few people interested in my aquascape and I can either think of an aquascape or frag rack system to allow the vertical growth needed.

Have you considered just cutting a bit out of your structure and then reattaching with reef cement? Could get you an extra 1.5-2”

 

[fishy408]

Have you considered just cutting a bit out of your structure and then reattaching with reef cement? Could get you an extra 1.5-2”

View attachment 71634

I haven't thought about this, but something to consider. thanks!

 

[fishy408]

Anyone use a frag system like this or have a recommendation?

 

[MichaelB]

I have my torches on these things. In my frag tank. I have larger and a few smaller ones.