My hammers wont open all the way!!!

joshkirkland83 · Feb 15, 2016

Mike628 said:
@joshkirkland83 I didnt get a chance this weekend. A buddy of mine needed help this weekend with some stuff. I live right up the street from petco and I can go tomorrow when I get home. Is petco a good place to go?

I wouldnt. They prolly use the same test you got. Go to a locally owned place.

Mike628 · Feb 15, 2016

Ok man @joshkirkland83

Mike628 · Feb 15, 2016

@joshkirkland83 I started running my day lights with my actinics, and they showed a little but more extension. I was told they can get angry when its just straight blue. Is this true?

joshkirkland83 · Feb 15, 2016

Mike628 said:
@joshkirkland83 I started running my day lights with my actinics, and they showed a little but more extension. I was told they can get angry when its just straight blue. Is this true?

Imo you should run both for a period. The blue is the deepwater penetrator. I have AI Sols i ron blues at 80% and whites at 40% for 8hrs a day.

Mike628 · Feb 15, 2016

Those are awesome @joshkirkland83

joshkirkland83 · Feb 15, 2016

Mike628 said:
Those are awesome @joshkirkland83

Thanks. I only give advice on threads that i have a good bit of experience with. And i LOVE hammers and i got a lot of experience with them.

Mike628 · Feb 15, 2016

@joshkirkland83 I hope my levels in the tank are ok. Hopefully its just those two corals. If its just the corals I may get some new hammers

joshkirkland83 · Feb 15, 2016

Mike628 said:
@joshkirkland83 I hope my levels in the tank are ok. Hopefully its just those two corals. If its just the corals I may get some new hammers

Dont give up yet. The quicker you get those levels checked, the quicker we can save them.

Triggreef · Feb 15, 2016

Why would you turn down actinics when day lights are on?

Corals have a 6 hour useful photo period. That's what they can benefit from at one time without rest. Any more than 6 hours and your growing algae and really any light after that should be for your viewing pleasure.

People will debate lighting to no end. I would suggest 6 hours at your most capable(everything on) light setting, with a little light (actinic) on each side.

Someone suggested 6 hour photo period followed by 6 hours of darkness and another 6 hour period/6hr dark again done in each 24 hr period to try for better growth. I doubt it worked because they never posted again that I know of.

Mike628 · Feb 15, 2016

It will probably be this weekend until I can get them checked unless I get my mom to do it. Im only 14 and a freshman in high school haha, but I love this hobby. Its fun and there's so much learning to do

joshkirkland83 · Feb 15, 2016

Triggreef said:
Why would you turn down actinics when day lights are on?

Corals have a 6 hour useful photo period. That's what they can benefit from at one time without rest. Any more than 6 hours and your growing algae and really any light after that should be for your viewing pleasure.

People will debate lighting to no end. I would suggest 6 hours at your most capable(everything on) light setting, with a little light (actinic) on each side.

Someone suggested 6 hour photo period followed by 6 hours of darkness and another 6 hour period/6hr dark again done in each 24 hr period to try for better growth. I doubt it worked because they never posted again that I know of.

This is good advice. Id do the 6hrs a day if they arent adjustable.

joshkirkland83 · Feb 15, 2016

Mike628 said:
It will probably be this weekend until I can get them checked unless I get my mom to do it. Im only 14 and a freshman in high school haha, but I love this hobby. Its fun and there's so much learning to do

All good. My oldest is 14. Do what you can. You are in the BEST place for info.

Mike628 · Feb 15, 2016

I love Reef2Reef. Its the only forum I use. There are many helpful people on here, and I appreciate all the help I can get!

Triggreef · Feb 16, 2016

Mike628 said:
It will probably be this weekend until I can get them checked unless I get my mom to do it. Im only 14 and a freshman in high school haha, but I love this hobby. Its fun and there's so much learning to do

That's awesome. I only hope my kids will enjoy the hobby someday. My oldest just turned 4. He's having a lot of trouble comprehending the whole quarantine thing. Lol

mongrelkoi · Feb 16, 2016

I second what Triggreef said. Use a refractometer and do a full test. I work in fish retail and almost all hydrometers need to be calibrated with a refractometer.

Mike628 · Feb 16, 2016

@joshkirkland83 I just got home, and im gonna run to petco for a test. This weekend im gonna go to my locally privately owned lfs, and get a test done there as well. But for now im going to petco and gonna see what they say.

joshkirkland83 · Feb 16, 2016

Mike628 said:
@joshkirkland83 I just got home, and im gonna run to petco for a test. This weekend im gonna go to my locally privately owned lfs, and get a test done there as well. But for now im going to petco and gonna see what they say.

Cool.

Mike628 · Feb 16, 2016

@joshkirkland83 Im just going because its only a 5 minute walk and im gonna see if my tests match theirs. Im pretty sure they use the same brand, just instead of drip tests its the strip ones

joshkirkland83 · Feb 16, 2016

Mike628 said:
@joshkirkland83 Im just going because its only a 5 minute walk and im gonna see if my tests match theirs. Im pretty sure they use the same brand, just instead of drip tests its the strip ones

Ok. See if they can check your salinity too.