HELP! Hammer Coral Not Opening

[Willu]

ofc there are people who do have success with them, but a majority of people will tell you otherwise. If cost is an issue get salifert everything.

 

[Jaws0508]

Okay, so would the salifert testers be good enough for a reef tank?

 

[JohnnyKnuckles]

It really doesn't matter what kind of test kit brand you buy.....Just go get any brand at this point. You say the tank is four months olds....Once it cycled did you bring your water to the LFS to check for Nitrate or Nitrite?

 

[Willu]

Okay, so would the salifert testers be good enough for a reef tank?

yes they are consistent and accurate test kits.
However, if you have the money I would very much consider getting the hanna alk colorimeter

 

[Jaws0508]

No, i'm brand new to the hobby and didn't know about all this stuff. I plan on getting a salifet test kit on monday, hopefully the hammer coral will survive till then

 

[Willu]

For the time being I would suggest to do water changes.

 

[Jaws0508]

Okay, what percentage would you recommend?

 

[JohnnyKnuckles]

No, i'm brand new to the hobby and didn't know about all this stuff. I plan on getting a salifet test kit on monday, hopefully the hammer coral will survive till then

Why don't you start from the beginning of what you have done so far over the last four months to prepare this tank. This is definitely the right place to learn and get help so feel free to ask any question. The best thing at this point is to not put anything else in the tank and to take a crash course on Saltwater asap. With that being said, Take us quickly from Day One to now of what's been done..

 

[Jaws0508]

@JosephRyan
Day 1: My tank wall full of algae that couldn't come off without taking restarting the tank(Didn't take care of it over for a couple months but I am starting to get back into it)
Day 2: Added live sand from the 3 month old set up I had before along with around 10 year old live rock: Also added new filter packages( chemipure elite, purigen, and filter floss)
Day 50: Waited a long time before adding 1 clown fish, then set up protein skimmer
Day 90: Added GSP
Day 110: Added anemone and hammer coral

 

[Tamberav]

Have you ever done a water change? I do them weekly to monthly.

Minerals will deplete and potential excess nutrients or toxins can build up if you don't do them.

Use RODI or distilled water. NO TAP.

I siphon and clean my sand bed and use a turkey baster to blast debris off rocks and siphon them out with each water change.

 

[Jaws0508]

I do around a 5 gallon water change each week. I just got a rodi about 3 weeks ago so I don't think that would be the problem, unless I am changing to little.

 

[Jaws0508]

Just ordered that test kit. I will let you guys know the parameters tomorrow. Thanks for all the help

 

[Willu]

I do around a 5 gallon water change each week. I just got a rodi about 3 weeks ago so I don't think that would be the problem, unless I am changing to little.

that's quite recent, it could possibly be a contributing factor, depending on what is in your tap.

 

[reef r madness]

Okay, what percentage would you recommend?

I have a 28 nanocube...I do 10 gallons every 2 weeks...just to keep the nitrates in check..plus topping off about 5 gallons a week due to evaporation

 

[Jaws0508]

I have a 28 nanocube...I do 10 gallons every 2 weeks...just to keep the nitrates in check..plus topping off about 5 gallons a week due to evaporation

Yeah I also just got a cheap ato so it helps with evaporation a lot.

 

[Jaws0508]

All the money I've gotten in the past year has gone towards this tank, and since I'm underage and can't get a job quite yet, its hard to buy all of this stuff needed for a reef tank, but i'm getting close so hopefully everything will turn out right

 

[mta_morrow]

You are flying blind which is probably fine for softies and even lps for experienced reefers.....

Time to get some test kits.

+1^^^^^^. This is very important! You have to know where you are in order to get to where you want to be!

 

[Jaws0508]

+1^^^^^^. This is very important! You have to know where you are in order to get to where you want to be!

Yeah, i'm getting a test kit tomorrow so hopefully that helps me determine the problem

 

[mta_morrow]

Yeah, i'm getting a test kit tomorrow so hopefully that helps me determine the problem

Post your results and tag me and I will try to help you.

 

[reef r madness]

Yeah, i'm getting a test kit tomorrow so hopefully that helps me determine the problem

My guess is nitrates...my hammer gets like that when my nitrates are high...water changes are paramount