Alex’s IM 150 EXT

[MarcosD]

I am still super reluctant to use any antibiotics only to save a coral, and will probably not do that.

Oxolinic acid, like all antiobiotics, requires a prescription in Germany and while I recognize that there are certain use cases, it seems that these are being overused here and I do not want to contribute to the issue if I can avoid it.

I wonder if there are any other things I can try first? Feeding? Dipping?

I think @thephoreefer and other torch collectors I follow generally don’t recommend feeding torches because it can lead to issues

Are you sure it’s not just splitting? Sometimes I get a torch that tries to split weird and it’ll retract

 

[Alexander1312]

I think @thephoreefer and other torch collectors I follow generally don’t recommend feeding torches because it can lead to issues

Are you sure it’s not just splitting? Sometimes I get a torch that tries to split weird and it’ll retract

Thank you for the information. I haven't had any torches until recently when we purchased the NYC Knicks from CaliKid. I bought this torch from Arvin at the CFM before the last event. It was looking well until a couple of weeks ago. I will monitor it closely and refrain from feeding for now.

 

[Alexander1312]

I assume this is not looking good? Recommendations? Move to frag tank?

Edit: What I can think of why this specific coral is struggling and now potentially dying is that it gets sand thrown on it a lot when the wrasse goes into the sand. The other torch is in the same area but the way the sand flows seems to hit this vs the other one. Not sure if this could be a reason.

 

[Darkxerox]

Probably a goner without intervention. I'd pull it and put it into a hospital tank and treat it, or throw it out so parts don't infect/sting other corals.

You could try a KCl dip (KCl might work on ciliates from anecdotal things online) then iodine for bacteria since you don't want to treat with antibiotics, but it likely won't recover this far gone.

Getting sand dumped and settled on corals definitely can cause them to get infections.

 

[derek_SR]

Getting sand dumped and settled on corals definitely can cause them to get infections.

This is a huge problem for me and why I will not be replacing my sand sifting goby in the current tank and will eventually move to barebottom and/or reborn media substrate in my next tank.

 

[fishy408]

I assume this is not looking good? Recommendations? Move to frag tank?

Edit: What I can think of why this specific coral is struggling and now potentially dying is that it gets sand thrown on it a lot when the wrasse goes into the sand. The other torch is in the same area but the way the sand flows seems to hit this vs the other one. Not sure if this could be a reason.

I recommend putting it in a QT tank away from other corals and applying treatment. The good news is that I have had torches in worse conditions that survived, and yours doesn't look too bad comparatively. If you don't have a QT tank available, I created the treatment solution, put it in a zip-loc bag, and tossed the torch in there for 4 hours.

 

[Darkxerox]

I recommend putting it in a QT tank away from other corals and applying treatment. The good news is that I have had torches in worse conditions that survived, and yours doesn't look too bad comparatively. If you don't have a QT tank available, I created the treatment solution, put it in a zip-loc bag, and tossed the torch in there for 4 hours.

That's a good tip, I often just use a glass bowl and have things sit in there while I'm treating them. I'll need to keep an eye out for people dumping small tanks (<3g) in the future.

 

[Alexander1312]

I have removed the torch from the tank - had no way to treat it and would have not used antibiotics anyway.

I basted the rock and the sorrounding area. This is how it looked 2 hours later… Need to find who did this…

 

[Darkxerox]

Prob the clown, they like to tail swipe into the sand if living low like that when nesting.

 

[derek_SR]

I have removed the torch from the tank - had no way to treat it and would have not used antibiotics anyway.

I basted the rock and the sorrounding area. This is how it looked 2 hours later… Need to find who did this…

View attachment 67331

Any wrasses or gobies?

I have some damsels that also tail swipe the sand.

 

[Alexander1312]

Any wrasses or gobies?

I have some damsels that also tail swipe the sand.

I was thinking the melanurus wrasse. Did not consider the clowns. They have to stop this, it is unacceptable.

 

[Reefinglens]

I was thinking the melanurus wrasse. Did not consider the clowns. They have to stop this, it is unacceptable.

Give them a first warning, next time is an eviction notice! lol

Honest question, how happy are you with the dimensions and real estate of this tank? I’m considering getting an IM150 EXT, but would honestly prefer a little more height (22”-25”) and like the idea of a peninsula style with the same 3’x4’ footprint.. but that would be significantly more cost, planning and setup time. Any “wish I had..” moments for you thus far or are you completely happy with the tank design?

 

[Bigfish]

Prob the clown, they like to tail swipe into the sand if living low like that when nesting.

Mine would attack any corals I placed next to its precious anemones! I was surprised by the strength of its tail flick

 

[Alexander1312]

Honest question, how happy are you with the dimensions and real estate of this tank? I’m considering getting an IM150 EXT, but would honestly prefer a little more height (22”-25”) and like the idea of a peninsula style with the same 3’x4’ footprint.. but that would be significantly more cost, planning and setup time. Any “wish I had..” moments for you thus far or are you completely happy with the tank design?

Hard to answer this - this is the largest tank I can fit into this house due to its construction. I do not have any regrets even with buying their sump and their custom plumbing. But again, this is due to my specific situation but I very much like the quality and dimensions - you are welcome to come by and have a look, just PM me.

Higher and longer would be better - I cannot fit such a tank. After reading a lot more, I feel that the only no compromise size is a 300 gallon. Bigger is always better.

 

[Alexander1312]

First impeller of one of the six Maxspect XF350s gyres that I have which is now gone. The last two I bought in May last year, the first one more than a year ago.

Thinking now switching to sulfamic acid for cleaning, but not to Fauna due to their too high price for this. Will try to revive this thread here:

Sulfamic acid to clean pumps?

Has anyone used this to clean pumps etc, vs the other acids we typically use? It is supposed to work very well. Not sure where to purchase this or any side effects.

www.bareefers.org

 

[derek_SR]

Is that impeller cracked?

 

[Alexander1312]

Is that impeller cracked?

Yes.

 

[Alexander1312]

Removed several rocks last night to a) further address the painful lessons learned about encrusting montiporas, and b), to make room for a large(r) branched rock I ordered from Tampa Bay which will arrive this coming Friday.

Fun 'fact', it looks like San Jose airport is located in a county which does not perform inspections of these shipments which would delay pickup. The last time I ordered from them this was a major concern and inconvenience which led me to not wanted to order from them ever again. Due to the lack of competition, I ordered again from them, and I hope I will not have to drive down to San Jose twice.

Despite taking out several rocks, it still looks like not much has changed.

 

[derek_SR]

Yes.

Do you mean to imply that it’s the cleaning that is causing the cracking?

Mine cracked and rusted like crazy and were never cleaned with anything other than warm water.

 

[Alexander1312]

Do you mean to imply that it’s the cleaning that is causing the cracking?

Mine cracked and rusted like crazy and were never cleaned with anything other than warm water.

Yes, and what you are describing is also a reason for it to happen (calcification of the impeller) in my opinion. So, I claim that there are at least two reasons - beyond just referring to the impeller design errors. There is a point to make about whether the design issue is the only cause for it. For the older models, this might be potentially true.