Hammer coral not opening

Canaan Gary · Feb 17, 2022

I purchased this toxic splatter a while back and it was doing just fine at first. Now it isn’t opening. I recently got a Nero 3 but it’s nowhere near my LPS and it’s running at 50% pulse. I tried turning it off and it didn’t make a difference. These are before and after pics and these are my parameters:
Calc 460
Alk 8.
Mg ?
Nitrate 4
Nitrite 0
Ammonia 0
Phosphate < .25
pH 7.9
Salinity 1.03

twhit030 · Feb 17, 2022

How long have you had it? WhT lights do you have and how intense are they? And do you have any angel fish or other fish that might nip? Could be many things.

Canaan Gary · Feb 17, 2022

No fish mess with it. I’ve had it about three months. This is my lighting schedule and my light is about 13 inches off the top. It’s a single AI prime on a biocube 32. The hammer is getting about 150 par.

twhit030 · Feb 17, 2022

Numbers look good and the power head is good for that tank it. How long ago did it start closing up? I have a second tank that is a mixed reef with some hefty power heads and I did the same thing I moved the power heads one day and no where near the torch but it closed up and didn’t open for a week and now it’s opening back up again. Same with a candy cane coral.

Canaan Gary · Feb 17, 2022

twhit030 said:
Numbers look good and the power head is good for that tank it. How long ago did it start closing up? I have a second tank that is a mixed reef with some hefty power heads and I did the same thing I moved the power heads one day and no where near the torch but it closed up and didn’t open for a week and now it’s opening back up again. Same with a candy cane coral.

It started closing up like a couple weeks ago. Hasn’t opened up fully since then

DesertReefT4r · Feb 18, 2022

I'm having the same issue with an orange mini hammer.

Canaan Gary · Feb 18, 2022

DesertReefT4r said:
I'm having the same issue with an orange mini hammer.

Yeah you can see the orange in the bottom right and it’s doing the same thing. My LFS just said “we don’t know. it could be so many things” so I’m not quite sure what to do because I don’t wanna lose them.

Canaan Gary · Feb 27, 2022

The hammer’s are only getting worse! What do I do?!

Jekyl · Feb 27, 2022

Missing magnesium test and if salinity is really 1.03 you have an issue with that.

mdb_talon · Feb 27, 2022

Have you checked for pests? Specifically thinking polyclad flatworms. They will cause a slow decline like that and are often hard to see because they blend in.

Canaan Gary · Feb 27, 2022

Jekyl said:
Missing magnesium test and if salinity is really 1.03 you have a serious issue with that.

Canaan Gary · Feb 27, 2022

Where should my salinity be?

Jekyl · Feb 27, 2022

Canaan Gary said:
Where should my salinity be?

1.025 or so. I run mine at 1.026. It's a difference that will matter over time.

Jekyl · Feb 27, 2022

They also don't like being in the sand.

Losirk · Feb 27, 2022

Salinity too high and mag is important for hammers. I recommend the salifert mag test kit. Try and examine carefully with a flashlight for pests, could be the issue if params aren't

Canaan Gary · Feb 27, 2022

Jekyl said:
They also don't like being in the sand.

Okay good to know. I’m gonna check

Losirk said:
Salinity too high and mag is important for hammers. I recommend the salifert mag test kit. Try and examine carefully with a flashlight for pests, could be the issue if params aren't

i meant 1.023 on the salinity LOL. I know it’s not light because I have some Duncan’s that at are thriving in the same light. I’ll order a mag kit now. I use salifert for alk and calc anyways.

mdb_talon · Feb 27, 2022

Canaan Gary said:
Okay good to know. I’m gonna check

i meant 1.023 on the salinity LOL. I know it’s not light because I have some Duncan’s that at are thriving in the same light. I’ll order a mag kit now. I use salifert for alk and calc anyways.

1.023 is a little low for a reef tank but likely not the issue. Checking MG is good...i would still be checking for pests asap

Canaan Gary · Feb 27, 2022

mdb_talon said:
1.023 is a little low for a reef tank but likely not the issue. Checking MG is good...i would still be checking for pests asap

Check at night for pest? What exactly am I looking for?

Jekyl · Feb 27, 2022

Canaan Gary said:
Check at night for pest? What exactly am I looking for?

Anything that isn't a copepod.

mdb_talon · Feb 27, 2022

Canaan Gary said:
Check at night for pest? What exactly am I looking for?

They look like easily removable so i would remove from tank put in a light dip and blow them with baster and see if pests fly off. Then closely inspect(flashlight helps) looking for eggs and pests.