Wall Hammer Problem :(

[JimCali75]

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 Hammer is a little more withdrawn because I just did a water change but still obviously has issues on that left side.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.

 

[Mike J.]

Your hammer is in real bad shape. Are you sure you tested Magnesium correctly? It is very low. Low mag like that will throw off the ability of your coral to use calcium. What do your flatworms look like? Pick one of them out of these.

LionfishLair.com - Hitchhiker Guide to your Aquarium

 

[JimCali75]

I'll retest Mg.. would low Mg cause it to go down hill that fast?

Here's a pic of the flatworms

 

[ReeferEric]

Looks like an orange wall hammer, those typically have a low survival rate from what I've seen.

 

[JimCali75]

I'll dip it.. just need some input on whether to dip Lugols or Coral Rx? I don't want to stress it any more by dipping both.

 

[Mike J.]

I wouldn't dip the coral and hope for the best. I'd bet the coral had some skeleton showing when you got it? And was already going downhill? Then, again, it might just die quickly, but stressing it out more isn't going to help. Do you have it under real bright lights? I see it's on the bottom, but how bright are your lights?

The clear flatworms (Amphiscolops) aren't going to hurt anything. But I'd still siphon out any out in the open when doing water changes.

 

[JimCali75]

Looked good when I got it as far as I could tell. It's at the bottom of a 60g cube so around 30" bellow a Kessil 360 turned up about 60%.

 

[Mike J.]

Now I'm thinking the opposite. They like medium light and moderate flow. Try moving it up some. 30" is low light.

 

[JimCali75]

I can see the tentacles withdrawn on the left side. The entire coral looks that way when the lights come on. Just that the left side doesn't open.