So,, I set this tank up a little over a month ago . This are going well . 29 gallon nano reef , with 5 fish so far and 6 coral frags and a small cleaning crew. Parameters have been awesome and steady. The problem is , I have been struggling with lights and flow equipment and where and how to glue the frags , etc… so my hammers have been through an ordeal. They have fell upside down in the sand multiple times. They have had very inconsistent lighting and glow while I have been working to achieve the correct patterns . Anyway , they are alive and looking like they want to open. Small pieces are moving and attempting to open slowly. They are now glued in place now and have proper flow and light .. if they are currently alive , they should just continue t improve right ?
which is exactly the issue. These are not good first corals especially in a new tank and light and flow are extremely important. Hammers require stable tank conditions, and is intolerant to major swings in water quality, and is sensitive to almost any level of copper in the water. Since they are a large polyp stony coral, calcium and alkalinity are two very important water parameters that will affect the growth of your coral. This coral will start to die off if the calcium levels are too low. A calcium level of about 400 ppm is just right.
This coral species isn’t terribly picky when it comes to the proper placement in your tank. The trick would really be just to avoid the extremes. Avoid extremely bright locations or areas of very high current, and avoid areas that are too dark or with currents that are too low. Fast currents risk damaging the soft, fleshy polyps (and getting an infection). Bright lights will cause bleaching. Insufficient lighting will cause the poor coral to wither away and starve to death.
Hammer corals only require a moderate amount of light for photosynthesis and can grow well in the intermediate regions of your tank. Just about any reef LED lighting should be sufficient for most tanks. Reduce white light intensity and get it off the sand bed which sand can irritate it.
The polyps should sway in the current, but not sustain so much pressure they are constantly bent over their skeleton. Too much flow will tear the polyps (worst case) and cause the polyps do not extend in the first place (best case). So, don’t give them too much flow.
This is tissue recession and often due to stress - Not bailout. What are stressors?
Hammers are intolerant to major swings in water quality, and sensitive to almost any level of copper in the water especially if any tap water was added. Calcium and alk are important parameters that will affect their growth and this coral will start to die off if calcium levels are too low which should be about 400 ppm.
Basically, avoid bright light and water flow and dark lighting. Bright lights cause bleaching and low lighting will cause them to shrink and starve. Maintain moderate light for their photosynthesis and keep it off the sand bed which sand can irritate it.
I suspect your Po4 if accurate is causing issues
