Hammer coral not opening as big

[Fishko]

Ive had my hammer in my tank for about a month. It used to open like in the picture. But now isnt opening as big. It did close for 2 days and was mad about something. My current parameters are 1340 mag 11.4 dkh calc 440. Nitrate 3ppm. 1.026 salinity

Im not sure if my water is too “clean.” Im trying to raise nitrates to around 5 ppm. But others have said my dkh might be too high. Im not dosing 2 part currently but am using red sea coral pro salt. The problem is i bought a big bag a year ago and still have most of it. Will switch to another brand.

 

[Uncle99]

Phosphate?
Too high (above .5 or zero) can make a coral unhappy.
How long has this tank been running.

I use Red Sea Pro as well but my Alk is 8.5-9.0 dkh

 

[Fishko]

Phosphate?
Too high (above .5 or zero) can make a coral unhappy.
How long has this tank been running.

I use Red Sea Pro as well but my Alk is 8.5-9.0 dkh

The tank has been up for a year roughly. Just started to add lps and some softies a few months ago.
Im unsure of the phosphate. The tank does not have any algea problems however. For phosphate is the hanna the best?

Im just wondering how often are you doing water. red sea coral pro when mixed to 1.026 salinity has a dhk of 11.5 calc 450 and mag 1350. Beautiful tank btw.

 

[Uncle99]

Hanna Phosphorus is best.
phosphate should remain in the 0.03-.2pp:m range
once per week, 10%, mixes at 11.5, but once added 10% doesn’t effect the dkh that much so I stay in the 8.5 -9 range.

 

[Fishko]

Hanna Phosphorus is best.
phosphate should remain in the 0.03-.2pp:m range
once per week, 10%, mixes at 11.5, but once added 10% doesn’t effect the dkh that much so I stay in the 8.5 -9 range.

Could it have been my hammer was beginning to grow into 2 branches? Today it opened up but the polyps seemed to have been concentrated near the ends and thinner in the middle