Hammer coral not puffing up

[Ckparent]

I purchased a yellow hammer coral a couple of weeks ago, and it seemed to be fine until the past couple of days it hasn’t been as puffed up. I’m trying to create a garden of hammers and it is right next to a hammer that is doing really well. All my parameters are fine and it’s in the same spot as the other, but it seems to be stuck in its skeleton. Any advice?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I purchased a yellow hammer coral a couple of weeks ago, and it seemed to be fine until the past couple of days it hasn’t been as puffed up. I’m trying to create a garden of hammers and it is right next to a hammer that is doing really well. All my parameters are fine and it’s in the same spot as the other, but it seems to be stuck in its skeleton. Any advice?

May be too much light or water flow.
This coral species isn’t terribly picky when it comes to the proper placement in your tank. The trick would really be just to avoid the extremes. Avoid extremely bright locations or areas of very high current, and avoid areas that are too dark or with currents that are too low. Fast currents risk damaging the soft, fleshy polyps (and getting an infection). Bright lights will cause bleaching. Insufficient lighting will cause the poor coral to wither away and starve to death.
Hammer corals only require a moderate amount of light for photosynthesis and can grow well in the intermediate regions of your tank. Just about any reef LED lighting should be sufficient for most tanks. Reduce white light intensity and get it off the sand bed which sand can irritate it.
The polyps should sway in the current, but not sustain so much pressure they are constantly bent over their skeleton. Too much flow will tear the polyps (worst case) and cause the polyps do not extend in the first place (best case). So, don’t give them too much flow.

 

[Ckparent]

Thank you for the advice, but I’m wondering why one of the hammers is doing great but the other is having trouble

 

[Coralsdaily]

I do find my hammer to be the puffiest when they are under lower light and very minimal water flow.
also, did you inspect the new hammer for any parasite? Make sure to also qurantine all your corals before adding to display

 

[Ckparent]

I did dip the coral in a Red Sea solution and didn’t see anything come off, but it could have been something already in my tank. My light isn’t very strong, around 95 PAR where the hammer is located. Do you think I should leave it and see if the hammer gets worse, or is it already in a state where it might die

 

[Coralsdaily]

I did dip the coral in a Red Sea solution and didn’t see anything come off, but it could have been something already in my tank. My light isn’t very strong, around 95 PAR where the hammer is located. Do you think I should leave it and see if the hammer gets worse, or is it already in a state where it might die

It doesnt look to be on the path of no return yet, hopefully iy is just freaking out with how different your tank’s parameters to the seller’s and chill out in a bit

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thank you for the advice, but I’m wondering why one of the hammers is doing great but the other is having trouble

Flow hitting one but not the other or angle of light

 

[Ckparent]

Thanks guys, if it gets any worse I might move it to a different spot, hopefully it’s just a phase.

 

[Hydrored]

I don’t think the hammer next to it looks healthy either, just because it’s extended means nothing.

What is the age of the tank and what did you use for the PAR reading?

I highly doubt all the parameters are fine looking at the tank, can you please provide them all?

 

[Ckparent]

Temp-76
Nitrate-5ppm
Alkalinity-9.2
Calcium-400
Salinity-33ppt
Many people have told me that my tank is to clean, since then I’ve seen coralline growth. What does a healthy hammer coral look like? I just thought it was puffy tentacles and full color.

 

[Hydrored]

Temp-76
Nitrate-5ppm
Alkalinity-9.2
Calcium-400
Salinity-33ppt
Many people have told me that my tank is to clean, since then I’ve seen coralline growth. What does a healthy hammer coral look like? I just thought it was puffy tentacles and full color.

Phosphate?

there should be much more white tissue up to the heads, both of those have recession.

 

[Ckparent]

I don’t have a phosphate test kit, but I’m going to purchase one soon. Do you think that could cause recession of the tissues

 

[Pistondog]

Hammers are not all from the same place. I have had no luck with the Australian hammers. Those from Indonesia are easier, for me anyway.

 

[Hydrored]

I don’t have a phosphate test kit, but I’m going to purchase one soon. Do you think that could cause recession of the tissues

It could be, especially if too low. Torches and hammers for me do not tolerate ultra low phosphate. The color and tissue to me is what made me comment.

Not being hard on you, please take this advice. Take your time and get good quality test kits and consistent feedings along with consistent test before adding more coral. Let the tank sit and mature for a bit, leave it alone other than your water changes, feedings, and testing. Add a couple fish to keep your interest.

You still have an ugly stage coming, that could further irritate coral. Let the ugly stage ride and do not go for magic potions

The longer you are in the hobby you can start to go off of your eyes on how your tank is doing- Consistency is key

BTW- I love the area you live, I was there for 2 years for work. We plan on retiring to North Carolina

 

[Ckparent]

Thanks for the help. I’ll definitely be checking my phosphates, and I’ll be checking up on the hammers in the future. Can you happen to send me a healthy hammer stock just so I can get an idea on what it should look like. Couldn’t find any on the web.

 

[Hydrored]

Here is a picture posted from another member. See the white flesh? You can see there is also a spot where it’s loosing a bit of flesh.

Hammer coral losing tissue

Hammer Coral losing some of it's tissue below the head. Some sort of green algae? What steps to remove/treat etc... Pictures are taken at night with the lights turned on.

www.reef2reef.com

@Nigel35 credit for photo

 

[Ckparent]

Thank you

 

[Hydrored]

Thank you

Good luck on your adventure, nothing good comes fast in this hobby.