Help with hammers

[kdtorgy]

Hi reefers. I need some help with my new Hammers. I got these two from a well respected LFS just under two weeks ago at the same time I upgraded my lights to two Radion G6 XR15 blues on my 140 gallon mixed reef tank. I was told to put them at 140 PAR, which I did (I have a PAR meter). They looked good for a few days and have been receding since. I am running Reef Dude’s AB+ program. Water parameters are:
Salinity: 1.025
Alk: 9.5 to 10
Ca: 450
Mg: 1475
Nitrate: 10-15
Phosphate: 0.08 to 0.15
pH 8.0 to 8.1
Temp 78.0 to 78.5

Im thinking it’s just too much light. All other corals and fish look fine. Any thoughts?

 

[Phil Steel]

Have you tried different flow areas or semi-shaded areas? Do a rotation and see if there are any changes?

 

[kdtorgy]

Have you tried different flow areas or semi-shaded areas? Do a rotation and see if there are any changes?

I haven’t tried either yet. Wave pump us set to random flow so it’s stronger at some times and weaker at others. Should I have wave pump create a more even flow?

 

[Phil Steel]

I haven’t tried either yet. Wave pump us set to random flow so it’s stronger at some times and weaker at others. Should I have wave pump create a more even flow?

I actually don't keep my hammers in a lot of flow. Enough to have them visibly "waving" but not so much that it agitates them.

I'd also do another dip just to rule out any pests that may have been picked up.

I mentioned this is another post but I haven't tried it myself. I've heard Stronium helps for euphyllia keeping...but this is just hear say at this point.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[kdtorgy]

It’s

I actually don't keep my hammers in a lot of flow. Enough to have them visibly "waving" but not so much that it agitates them.

I'd also do another dip just to rule out any pests that may have been picked up.

I mentioned this is another post but I haven't tried it myself. I've heard Stronium helps for euphyllia keeping...but this is just hear say at this point.

Good luck and keep us posted

I actually don't keep my hammers in a lot of flow. Enough to have them visibly "waving" but not so much that it agitates them.

I'd also do another dip just to rule out any pests that may have been picked up.

I mentioned this is another post but I haven't tried it myself. I've heard Stronium helps for euphyllia keeping...but this is just hear say at this point.

Good luck and keep us posted!

hard to tell flow when the polyps are recessed but when they were out they were waving gently. I’ll dip again tomorrow just to be safe. I do dose trace elements and strontium is 7 ppm. A little on the low side but close to acceptable range (8-12)

 

[nhendrix]

They don’t like to be wiped around to much.I have 4 in different places of my tank just make them move a bit. As for light I’m not sure I have t5

 

[Phil Steel]

It

So it doesn't sound like a flow problem if they are extending well.

Do the dip and manual dose the trace elements to get them back to range and see if that makes a difference.

Bar that, then re-place them in a lesser PAR area. Basically knock out the potential issues one by one.

 

[kdtorgy]

So it doesn't sound like a flow problem if they are extending well.

Do the dip and manual dose the trace elements to get them back to range and see if that makes a difference.

Bar that, then re-place them in a lesser PAR area. Basically knock out the potential issues one by one.

I did a KFC did today and placed in lower PAR. will see how they look tomorrow.

 

[Phil Steel]

I did a KFC did today and placed in lower PAR. will see how they look tomorrow.

good luck!

 

[Lavey29]

Hi reefers. I need some help with my new Hammers. I got these two from a well respected LFS just under two weeks ago at the same time I upgraded my lights to two Radion G6 XR15 blues on my 140 gallon mixed reef tank. I was told to put them at 140 PAR, which I did (I have a PAR meter). They looked good for a few days and have been receding since. I am running Reef Dude’s AB+ program. Water parameters are:
Salinity: 1.025
Alk: 9.5 to 10
Ca: 450
Mg: 1475
Nitrate: 10-15
Phosphate: 0.08 to 0.15
pH 8.0 to 8.1
Temp 78.0 to 78.5

Im thinking it’s just too much light. All other corals and fish look fine. Any thoughts?

View attachment 2998971 View attachment 2998973 View attachment 2998974

Not sure if this is the primary problem but 2 XR15 lights on a big 140g tank is not near enough light. I have 2 XR15 lights on my 65g and have to run them at 100% schedule intensity on the AB plus program to get adequate lighting for my mixed reef. At your 50% schedule I doubt you are getting sufficient light for LPS at the bottom. Is your par meter calibrated properly?

 

[kdtorgy]

Not sure if this is the primary problem but 2 XR15 lights on a big 140g tank is not near enough light. I have 2 XR15 lights on my 65g and have to run them at 100% schedule intensity on the AB plus program to get adequate lighting for my mixed reef. At your 50% schedule I doubt you are getting sufficient light for LPS at the bottom. Is your par meter calibrated properly?

I know some people run 3 and some run 2. My very knowledgeable LFS recommended 2 when they could have sold 3. PAR readings seem reasonable based in viewing videos online. PAR just under the water is 700 and about 100 at the bottom of a 26 inch tank. I have higher light demand corals near the top where par is 200-300. I moved the hammers to a spot with 100 PAR and turned lights back to 82%. Will see what they look like tomorrow. Can the MQ-510 be recalibrated?

 

[Lavey29]

I know some people run 3 and some run 2. My very knowledgeable LFS recommended 2 when they could have sold 3. PAR readings seem reasonable based in viewing videos online. PAR just under the water is 700 and about 100 at the bottom of a 26 inch tank. I have higher light demand corals near the top where par is 200-300. I moved the hammers to a spot with 100 PAR and turned lights back to 82%. Will see what they look like tomorrow. Can the MQ-510 be recalibrated?

No way with XR15 lights maybe XR30s but not 15. You are only running 50% intensity so your par meter I'd off or user error.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi reefers. I need some help with my new Hammers. I got these two from a well respected LFS just under two weeks ago at the same time I upgraded my lights to two Radion G6 XR15 blues on my 140 gallon mixed reef tank. I was told to put them at 140 PAR, which I did (I have a PAR meter). They looked good for a few days and have been receding since. I am running Reef Dude’s AB+ program. Water parameters are:
Salinity: 1.025
Alk: 9.5 to 10
Ca: 450
Mg: 1475
Nitrate: 10-15
Phosphate: 0.08 to 0.15
pH 8.0 to 8.1
Temp 78.0 to 78.5

Im thinking it’s just too much light. All other corals and fish look fine. Any thoughts?

View attachment 2998971 View attachment 2998973 View attachment 2998974

This is tissue recession and often caused by extremes. Avoid extreme light and extreme water flow. Too much light and they expell zooxanthellae which is their energy source. Too litttle light and they shrivel up. Too much flow and the polyps will tear off the skelton or recede. Too little flow and they will shrink. Assure also calcium is no less than 380 for skeletal health.
Flow should be that of polyps waving gently and not bending to one side. Assure also that phosphate is Not elevated.

 

[kdtorgy]

This is tissue recession and often caused by extremes. Avoid extreme light and extreme water flow. Too much light and they expell zooxanthellae which is their energy source. Too litttle light and they shrivel up. Too much flow and the polyps will tear off the skelton or recede. Too little flow and they will shrink. Assure also calcium is no less than 380 for skeletal health.
Flow should be that of polyps waving gently and not bending to one side. Assure also that phosphate is Not elevated.

Flow looks good and water parameters are where they should be. Think I should turn more light or less?

 

[kdtorgy]

No way with XR15 lights maybe XR30s but not 15. You are only running 50% intensity so your par meter I'd off or user error.

I turned intensity up to 82%

 

[vetteguy53081]

Flow looks good and water parameters are where they should be. Think I should turn more light or less?

79% blue, 30% white if uv-80 and purple 75

 

[Lavey29]

I turned intensity up to 82%

Don't go from 50 to 82 all at once. You need to increase 1% per day so you don't shock corals.

 

[Jaybeastin]

Don't go from 50 to 82 all at once. You need to increase 1% per day so you don't shock corals.

I’ve been running at 50% too!! I have a reefer 350. It was recommended by a dude on IG. Might be the reason my torch isn’t looking too great

 

[Lavey29]

I’ve been running at 50% too!! I have a reefer 350. It was recommended by a dude on IG. Might be the reason my torch isn’t looking too great

The XR15 lights are weak. Now that I'm running at 100% my corals are flourishing with growth and color.

 

[kdtorgy]

79% blue, 30% white if uv-80 and purple 75

The LFS said to put in area where PAR is 140. I'm using the AB+ program modified by reef dudes. I found a spot near the middle of the tank where PAR was 140 with the schedule set to 82%.