Wall Hammer Problem :(

JimCali75 · Feb 23, 2014

Hi, Picked up this wallhammer last weekend. As you can tell its not opening fully. It was completely open at the fs and opened pretty nicely after a day in my tank. I figured it would improve as it adjusted but it's regressed. I have a Kessil a360w about 8" over the water running at about 60%.

Nitrite 0
Nitrates 5ppm
Ammonia 0
Ph 8.0
Kh 9.2
Ca 460
Mg 1000

Tank is about 4 months old. Hammer is a little more withdrawn because I just did a water change but still obviously has issues on that left side. Flow 1-10 10 being strong I'd say its in a 4. I do have a small flatworm issue. Small white ones on the glass. I'm going to treat for it. Not out of control yet but but I wanna nip it in the butt. Should I try a Lugols or Coral rx dip? I don't see and brown jelly disease. I noticed a couple red/brown stringy like things on it that would blow off easily. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Hate to lose this one but I know walls are a little tricky.

JimCali75 · Feb 23, 2014

Flatworms :mad:

JimCali75 · Feb 23, 2014

1 week ago...

evolved · Feb 24, 2014

It doesn't look too hot, I'm afraid. It's receding; evident by the photo from a week earlier.

Once euphyllia's start to recede, it's tough to save them. The tissue is quite susceptible to infection at that point. Dipping it in both Coral RX and iodine certainly wouldn't hurt.

Moving it to a lower flow area wouldn't hurt. If the flow is strong enough to cause the tissue to tear, this often lead to this sort of problem with euphyllia. It's also important before removing any euphyllia from the water to "swish" them a bit and make the close up. If you lift them out while fully inflated, they can tear under their own weight.

While euphyllia eating flatworms do exist, I don't suspect yours are problematic (I would expect to see them on the coral and not the glass if that were the case). They are a nuisance however.

Lastly, your Mg is quite low. I'd suggest raising it to the 1250-1350 range.

Best of luck.

NanaReefer · Feb 24, 2014

Those particular flatworms are not your issue. Harmless algae grazers. I agree with your magnesium being very low.

tektite · Feb 24, 2014

I agree, not looking good. Wall hammers don't recover easily from that. I also suggest beginning to raise your mg right away. Magnesium is very important to LPS.

JimCali75 · Feb 24, 2014

Thx for the input.. I picked up Red Sea Reef Foundation ABC and will start dosing tonight after reading up on it.

What's strange to me is that when the lights are out and its withdrawn it looks the same all across the wall. You wouldn't know anything is wrong. I dipped in coral rx last night just before turning off the light. I'll see how it opens tonight. I haven't dipped Lugols yet.