New hammer - what is 'normal' behaviour?

[kilnakorr]

I added my first hammer coral (wall) 3 days ago.
It closes every night, and opens just a bit when lights come on during the day.
I have it in a pretty low flow area. I'm not to concerned, and know it can take several days for a new coral to open up.
This is how much it opens:

Should I just wait it out, or try dim the lights a bit? Other ideas?

 

[Mikedawg]

Looks healthy; I would leave it alone

 

[Mike H2020]

Looks healthy; I would leave it alone

I got mine yesterday...opens fully but definitely closes at night

 

[tnewell]

Looks healthy IMO. Just keep everything stable and on routine and wait it out, it will adjust nicely.

 

[kilnakorr]

Looks healthy IMO. Just keep everything stable and on routine and wait it out, it will adjust nicely.

So I guess it's 'normal' for it to open a just a bit for some time?

 

[tnewell]

So I guess it's 'normal' for it to open a just a bit for some time?

In the acclimation process, they can be finicky for a week or so, but usually will adjust. My branching I just bought was very timid and would come out for an hour I’d say then get smaller. But over the course of 3 weeks as soon as the lights turn on he gets large

 

[kilnakorr]

In the acclimation process, they can be finicky for a week or so, but usually will adjust. My branching I just bought was very timid and would come out for an hour I’d say then get smaller. But over the course of 3 weeks as soon as the lights turn on he gets large

It seems you all agree, it's just settling in.
I'll just keep things as it is and see what happens.
It seems to open just a bit more everyday.
I can spend the time cheering my snails to eat the diatoms (lazy jerks!)

 

[tnewell]

It seems you all agree, it's just settling in.
I'll just keep things as it is and see what happens.
It seems to open just a bit more everyday.
I can spend the time cheering my snails to eat the diatoms (lazy jerks!)

Best of luck to you!

 

[kilnakorr]

Just thought I'd continue to update this thread for any potential future readers.
It's just a little more open, but only noticeable because of earlier pictures for reference:

So still waiting. Advice is welcome, if I should try any alterations.

 

[ReefRusty]

Leave it, they don't really extend much more than that, compared to a hammer that had branching heads. Mine flows alot more in the late evening and early morning and just keeps tight through out the day

 

[kilnakorr]

Leave it, they don't really extend much more than that, compared to a hammer that had branching heads. Mine flows alot more in the late evening and early morning and just keeps tight through out the day

I hope not. Min is closing at night and most open during the day.
If it doesn't open up more than this it better find a new home.

 

[ReefRusty]

The branching type are your best bet for polyp extension, wall hammers tend to remain tight.

 

[kilnakorr]

The branching type are your best bet for polyp extension, wall hammers tend to remain tight.

Yeah seems so. I'll give it some time and the maybe find a branching one instead. Don't want to look at that huge old skeleton base

 

[ReefRusty]

Put it in your sand bed it will grow, very slowly but can always bury it a little bit, which I have done and appears to be doing really good.

 

[kilnakorr]

Put it in your sand bed it will grow, very slowly but can always bury it a little bit, which I have done and appears to be doing really good.

Will leave it there for now. Might find another place for it once I have another to take its place.

 

[tnewell]

Honestly looks happy, my branching hammer doesn’t extend far at all.

 

[kilnakorr]

Honestly looks happy, my branching hammer doesn’t extend far at all.

I thought it would extend much further.
Guess I need to find a different spot, to cover that 'concrete' looking base it has. Maybe adding it at and angle at the sand.

 

[tnewell]

I thought it would extend much further.
Guess I need to find a different spot, to cover that 'concrete' looking base it has. Maybe adding it at and angle at the sand.

I added mine towards the top to look like a tree on a hill. I thought it looks neat, then you see the new heads forming looks like branches of a tree. I’ll attach pics, but just an idea. Yours would be perfect if you have a little crack along a rock

 

[kilnakorr]

I added mine towards the top to look like a tree on a hill. I thought it looks neat, then you see the new heads forming looks like branches of a tree. I’ll attach pics, but just an idea. Yours would be perfect if you have a little crack along a rock

Not looking to bad. I guess I was just expecting a different look. Such a big piece of 'rock' compared to amount of colorful polyps.
I'll give it some thought, on where to place it in the future and add a branching type in it's place. No rush - as long as it's fairly happy, all is good

 

[kilnakorr]

I noticed the tissue on one side seems to be receeding.

This side has always been less open. It gets more flow here as the rest is a bit sheltered from some rocks.
Would it be a good idea to try and move it a bit?