Hammer coral placement

[mikep64ep]

Aquarium is a 75 gal with 20 gal refuguim sump, 8 T5 light fixture. current water values temp77, ph 8.19, comdutivity 43 ppt. I got a hammer Coral that does not seem to open all the way. I move the coral from the middle to the bottom of the aquarium but nothing seem to work. I got two wave maker pumps and u turned one off to reduce flow but also no change in opening of the hammer. Do you guys have any advise?
Thanks
Mike

 

[Tab28]

Not sure what conductivity equation difference is but 43 does not seem right. Is it using a probe?

 

[mikep64ep]

Yes it does I have the apex system I think they said its salinity in ppt

 

[Tab28]

What i meant was i thought conductivity is generally ms/cm not ppt. But not sure what apex uses. If ppt then i think it is 1.028 sg. A bit high, did you just get the coral or dud you have it for awhile?

 

[Tab28]

While in subject of probe did you calibrate it? Also your other water perimeters would help to see if that could be an issue. Alkalinity, nitrate and phosphates are very important.

 

[mikep64ep]

I got the coral for about four weeks now

 

[mikep64ep]

Alkalinity is at 10dKH, nitrates 0, ammonia 0,
I did calibrated all probes and checked them prior installation. I see the hammer feeding actively most of the day.

 

[Tab28]

Well other than salinty being a bit high. Your other numbers are in check. Nitrates are low for LPS, but that is not the issue. How do you see the hammer feeding? Do you feed it?

Euphyllia like moderate flow and lighting. If it is happy it will be fully open with tentacles waving in current. They will respond better being fed a few times a week. Since your
Nitrates are less than 10 spot feeding is more important. When did you last notice to coral not opening fully?

 

[mikep64ep]

I just checked the hammer and I is pretty much retracted with just a few polyps expanded. I see the coral feeding with this little feather looking like a hand coming out and grabbing good. I will change some water today and reduce to salinity a little bit if this does not help I might give it one more try to place on the highest spot in the aquarium with the most light maybe that is what she wants.

 

[Tab28]

Can you take a picture? What you are describing feeding does not sound like a euphyllia. Not that you do not have a hammer coral but the feeding part may not be from the hammer.

Do not go from low light to high light quickly. Try putting it is an area raised up higher. But not highest. Also be sure the flow is moderate.

 

[Mr tap water]

hi there .Are you Using any nitrate remover products and not skimming .or dosing anything at the moment as sometimes certain products can cause them irritation.

 

[Mr tap water]

Hi there .Are you using any nitrate remover products with no skimmer. Or dosing anything that may cause irritation.

 

[mikep64ep]

Attached are the pictures of the hammer

 

[mikep64ep]

I do use a skimmer not chemical removers or supplements

 

[Tab28]

The thing you see feeding in a barnacle not the coral. They are generally harmless and nothing to worry about. The coral does not look happy and has areas of algae skeleton. I would try a water change to try and lower salinity a bit. Try moving it and allow a day or two to see if it prefers another location. Do you feed it?

 

[mikep64ep]

Yes sachem marine snow on the weekends. I always thought it was the coral feeding. Hahaha rookie

 

[mikep64ep]

I see that the coral is more extended near the rock do you thing I should move it under and overhang to defuse the light?

 

[Tab28]

You could try a few areas. It may take a day or two to see if it responds to the new location. Try it for area not only light but flow.

When you acclimated the coral how long did you do it for?

 

[mikep64ep]

I acclimated the coral for about 1 - 1.5hr. I realy appreciate you guys helping me in this matter. I am going to Dona water change right now to bring my salinity down to acceptable level of 35 ppm and see if this makes a different. If not i move it to the middle and next top of the tank. I will change flow and see what it does. I keep you informed

 

[mikep64ep]

Hey guys just an update. I removed 4 of my t5 lights and now the hammer is opened up more. I had 8 t5s which might have been to much light. Thank you guys for your input