Hammer not extended

[Odstranger8286]

Hey guys I'm new to the hobby I picked up a hammer and it seems not to be extending fully I'm thinking it's the light I'm running stock pcs right now and debating on a smatfarm 100w. I just orders a salifert kit to test alk calcium and magnesium been doing 5 gallon weekly water changes. Any ideas will help I'll post up the parameters when I get the kit in a few days. Thank you guys

 

[Odstranger8286]

These are some pics please excuse the scratches on glass it was a used biocube I picked up for 20 bucks

 

[randomfishdude]

How long have you had it. Also any pictures?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

No ideas to share with such sparse info, other than please don't buy any more livestock until you get the bare minimum supplies/tests... this is not a hobby that does well when playing catch-up.

 

[Odstranger8286]

How long have you had it. Also any pictures?

3 months in
Ammonia 0
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
Ph 8.2

 

[Odstranger8286]

How long have you had it. Also any pictures?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

What kind of light do you have and what intensity?
If its not a reef light, then the coral will die, doesn't matter what the parameters are or how often you change the water.

What size is the tank? The smatfarm is a decent light, but we can't give you feedback on the lights without knowing the tank size.

How old is the tank? Looking at the tank pic, it looks brand new like you built it yesterday. Hammer coral is not a beginner level coral, it requires a stable mature environment, and you should wait a few months before trying this coral. There are several other beginner corals that you can start with, but your tank is till not ready IMO.

Looks like your using the API master test kit, which is pretty useless. Don't use API, get either salifert or hanna test kits. If you want a coral like hammer, then you need to know the alkalinity and master keeping the alk very stable.

"Coral is closed and not open" could be for countless reasons, so we need all the info to help you. But seems you might be getting ahead of yourself here. Need a proper light and proper test kits before the corals.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

3 months in
Ammonia 0
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
Ph 8.2

It's starving

 

[Glowurm]

Hmmmm might be an idea to watch a New to saltwater YT video.

You could have a couple of issues, its likely it needs more light, it could be flow (you have a powerhead, its not clear in the pictures) and its almost definitely starving due to the non existent nutrients in the tank.

Tank looks freshly cycled, probably hold of 3 months before you add any additional coral, and then look for something hardy (notice you have a duncan), like a trumpet or zoas, maybe some other softies.

Its exciting having a new tank, but rushing only going to lead to disappointment, this hobby isn't very forgiving and early mistakes have a tendency to compound and will ultimately frustrate you down the line.