Coral Emergency Room - Just destroyed new torch coral!

conk12301 · 08/21/2012, 04:38 PM

Today I went out to the LFS and picked up a couple new coral peices. The prize of them all was a $40 head of purple tip torch. It was gorgeous - I couldn't resist.

Well it's not gorgeous anymore. I ruined it. The base/skeleton of the torch was attached to a plug, which I wanted to get rid of so I could glue the peice to a rock. So instead of removing it carefully, I tried to pop the peice right off the plug using bare hands and brute force. (I know, I know -

) I succeeded in separating the coral from the plug but in the process I crushed the skeleton of the torch, breaking it into five pieces. Two of the peices were separated entirely. As for the other three, the skeletons were separated but they were still held together somewhat by a flesh substance inside.

Well, I did the best I could. I used some epoxy and tried to put the five peices back together and attach it to a loose rock. See the picture - I did a pretty sloppy job.

Worst of all, when it broke, there was such a nasty rotten smell, I'm afraid this coral is a goner. At the very least will lose so many polyps it won't be the same as it looked when I bought it. What a frustrating experience.

I guess there's nothing I can do now but wait.

conk12301 · 08/21/2012, 05:01 PM

Any suggestions as to when I should turn the lights back on?

Led Bizkit · 08/21/2012, 05:04 PM

I havent had that issue but rest assure your helpful help is on the way. I am curious to the feedback you get.

Good luck

kfisc · 08/21/2012, 05:29 PM

Believe it or not, I've seen them come back from worse. I'd wager you may lose them this time, but they're very hardy corals and as long as you see some extension of the polyps, and leave them quite alone (assuming all else in your tank is ok), you might be pleasantly supplied. I'd turn the lights on and proceed as normal.

I'm assuming what you meant by "skeleton" is the hard calcium stalk under the polyps, which is just that- rock, essentially. As long as you don't rip or tear into the polyps, you can use a tool (usually not your hands!), if really necessary.

Good luck with these guys-

Dnastynice · 08/21/2012, 05:37 PM

i have done something like you did. I ended up crushing one of my heads on my frogspawn and broke it off. Well it fell behind my reef wall and couldnt reach it. A few weeks later the crushed and broken branch/head had life coming out of it and grew. it is now 5 heads and look great. this was about 4-5 months ago. It did take a pretty long time to start growing.

aleonn · 08/21/2012, 05:45 PM

If the flesh is separated from the bony skeleton, that polyp will likely die IME. If you somehow have multiple or baby polyps your chances increase.

I'd make sure the flow for this coral is low, to avoid tearing the flesh further. I wouldn't judge based on the smell, though. In my limited coral killing experience, the nasty rotting smell doesn't happen immediately upon death or injury.

Good luck and keep us updated!

conk12301 · 08/21/2012, 05:52 PM

By polyp do you guys mean each tentacle or is the whole thing a polypl?

Chaotic Reefer4u · 08/21/2012, 05:54 PM

proceed as normal and you'll be amazed at what you see in the end, hope this helps...

tj1627 · 08/21/2012, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conk12301

By polyp do you guys mean each tentacle or is the whole thing a polypl?

If I'm understanding what you're asking, each "tentacle" is a polyp

conk12301 · 08/21/2012, 09:00 PM

Its been about five hours since my emergency surgery (ha)... I've left just the actnic light on and some polyps are slowly starting to open and extend - maybe a half an inch at most. Most polyps are still closed.

Strangely enough, the pulsating zenia I bought at the same time has barely opened at all. And I didn't destroy that.

I'll never really fully understand this stuff.

listerofsmeg · 08/22/2012, 04:39 AM

No advice on the torch... But my pulsing Xenia took a month to start pulsing and look happy... Now it's massive and extremely happy, nothing will kill it now and it's spreading like crazy. I'm upgrading to a seven footer so hopefully it will look small again! But I'm going to start fragging soon definitely.

the droob · 08/22/2012, 06:06 AM

It may take a little while (1 -4 days) for the polyips to fully extend ,depends on your water parameters but with a bit of luck they will survive ,hope so
Hey Listerosmeg,be carefull when you frag your Xenia,dont let any tiny pieces float of when your cutting,they will land all over the place and start growing ,I know ! just one cut with a really sharp knife near the base and you'll be fine

Freddie83 · 08/22/2012, 01:01 PM

I think it will be fine. Relax and go as usual.

08/21/2012, 05:54 PM	#8
Chaotic Reefer4u ♥Acropora Aficionado♥ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hollister,Ca. Posts: 5,163	proceed as normal and you'll be amazed at what you see in the end, hope this helps... __________________ Live everyday as if it was your last, take time to smell the flowers, enjoy all things living, never take anything for granted, you just never know when your number might be up... Current Tank Info: * 90g. Reef Ready TruVu tank with 30g. Platinum Filtration Series Sump SpS Acro enthusiast *

08/21/2012, 05:01 PM	#2
conk12301 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 175	Any suggestions as to when I should turn the lights back on?

08/21/2012, 05:04 PM	#3
Led Bizkit Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 124	I havent had that issue but rest assure your helpful help is on the way. I am curious to the feedback you get. Good luck

08/21/2012, 05:29 PM	#4
kfisc Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,020	Believe it or not, I've seen them come back from worse. I'd wager you may lose them this time, but they're very hardy corals and as long as you see some extension of the polyps, and leave them quite alone (assuming all else in your tank is ok), you might be pleasantly supplied. I'd turn the lights on and proceed as normal. I'm assuming what you meant by "skeleton" is the hard calcium stalk under the polyps, which is just that- rock, essentially. As long as you don't rip or tear into the polyps, you can use a tool (usually not your hands!), if really necessary. Good luck with these guys-

08/21/2012, 05:37 PM	#5
Dnastynice Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 33	i have done something like you did. I ended up crushing one of my heads on my frogspawn and broke it off. Well it fell behind my reef wall and couldnt reach it. A few weeks later the crushed and broken branch/head had life coming out of it and grew. it is now 5 heads and look great. this was about 4-5 months ago. It did take a pretty long time to start growing.

08/21/2012, 05:45 PM	#6
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	If the flesh is separated from the bony skeleton, that polyp will likely die IME. If you somehow have multiple or baby polyps your chances increase. I'd make sure the flow for this coral is low, to avoid tearing the flesh further. I wouldn't judge based on the smell, though. In my limited coral killing experience, the nasty rotting smell doesn't happen immediately upon death or injury. Good luck and keep us updated!

08/21/2012, 05:52 PM	#7
conk12301 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 175	By polyp do you guys mean each tentacle or is the whole thing a polypl?

08/21/2012, 09:00 PM	#10
conk12301 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 175	Its been about five hours since my emergency surgery (ha)... I've left just the actnic light on and some polyps are slowly starting to open and extend - maybe a half an inch at most. Most polyps are still closed. Strangely enough, the pulsating zenia I bought at the same time has barely opened at all. And I didn't destroy that. I'll never really fully understand this stuff.

08/22/2012, 04:39 AM	#11
listerofsmeg Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 58	No advice on the torch... But my pulsing Xenia took a month to start pulsing and look happy... Now it's massive and extremely happy, nothing will kill it now and it's spreading like crazy. I'm upgrading to a seven footer so hopefully it will look small again! But I'm going to start fragging soon definitely.

08/22/2012, 06:06 AM	#12
the droob Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Perth/Australia Posts: 83	It may take a little while (1 -4 days) for the polyips to fully extend ,depends on your water parameters but with a bit of luck they will survive ,hope so Hey Listerosmeg,be carefull when you frag your Xenia,dont let any tiny pieces float of when your cutting,they will land all over the place and start growing ,I know ! just one cut with a really sharp knife near the base and you'll be fine

08/22/2012, 01:01 PM	#13
Freddie83 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 77	I think it will be fine. Relax and go as usual.