All I can say is my torch is very finicky to flow. If it isn't a gentle upward sweeping (bottom to top) current, it won't extend fully. If the flow is far too strong, it looks similar to the posted pic.  
 
I won't speak for water quality, parameters, ect, for I know not! 
		
	
		
		
		
		
		
	
		
		
	
	
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