Vertical hammer growth? Not sure why

[parker11]

Hello, everyone. I have two tanks, one being this 20 gallon that I started about a year ago, all HOB. I’ve had these two hammers growing for about 9 months. Both of them seem to have adjusted there growth pattern to my tank. Although they are growing it doesn’t seem natural and I’m trying to decide what is causing it. I have attached pictures so you can see what I’m referring to. But to me, it’s seems like either flow, lighting, or lack of elements like calcium that is causing this growth. When the corals are open the polyps seem to grow in a cone shape facing the lights suggesting they might not be getting enough light. If this is the case my lights can’t go much higher but the glass lid might be limiting the light they receive. I had a little trouble finding a small enough power head. So the one in use is a bit over powered but to compensate the flow is directed at the surface and only hits the corals directly from below. I thought this might have to do with there growth too. Lastly I notice that the base between the hard branch and pollyps don’t have that white fleshy space in between them. I thought this might be caused by lack of calcium to form this area. Any ideas would be appreciated! Thanks

 

[Bribo12]

What light are you using. Definitely looks like they’re stretching. The whole base won’t be flesh covered from my experience. Can you post your parameters as well.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

it kind of looks like there is no flow in the tank, even the algae is standing straight up, and that's a lot of algae....

 

[parker11]

What light are you using. Definitely looks like they’re stretching. The whole base won’t be flesh covered from my experience. Can you post your parameters as well.

Here is a photo of my light and it’s settings. I’m not sure of all my parameters at the moment because I just took out a gfo filter last night. I know salinity it’s 1.024 and I did my usually dose of calcium and alkalinity yesterday.

 

[parker11]

it kind of looks like there is no flow in the tank, even the algae is standing straight up, and that's a lot of algae....

Yea I recently took out gfo trying to remove phosphates do deal with algae. The problem with HOB is we only have a normal filter and Uv. No skimmer, so we have been doing lots of water changes to try to catch up on the green hair, it got uncontrollable until I cut back on feeding. The dang six line tried to kill the blenny I was putting in there

 

[parker11]

it kind of looks like there is no flow in the tank, even the algae is standing straight up, and that's a lot of algae....

Here’s a photo of the tank including the power head. Like I said it’s a bit overpowered so I have it sourcing indirect flow that hits the top, then side and swoops back up.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

thats a maxi jet I believe? What ever brand it is, thats a pump, it shoots water straight forward. The difference with a powerhead is that it has a dispersed flow, doesn't shoot straight forward if you know what I mean.

Google things like hydor nano or korelia nano, it will be better overall for your tank, and depending on your budget, some of them are controllable so if you find it too strong you can turn it down.

 

[parker11]

thats a maxi jet I believe? What ever brand it is, thats a pump, it shoots water straight forward. The difference with a powerhead is that it has a dispersed flow, doesn't shoot straight forward if you know what I mean.

Google things like hydor nano or korelia nano, it will be better overall for your tank, and depending on your budget, some of them are controllable so if you find it too strong you can turn it down.

That makes sense. I have a mp 10 in my 50 gallon low boy. I was looking for one of those power heads you mentioned when I set up this 20 gallon but this was the best I could find at my LFS. I’ll definitely look into getting one of those, looks like the LFS was just looking to make a sale again lol.