What’s happening to this Hammer coral?

[elBem80]

For context the bottom 2 hammers I’ve had for 6-8 months, the green hammer and the (dying hammer?) gold hammer I’ve had for a month or 2.

In the last week or so the top (golden) hammer has started retreating for an unknown reason. Parameters seem stable (all other corals are thriving) and there’s no sign of EFW or other parasites. Any idea what it could be?

My only guess is the emerald crab is perhaps nipping it at night!? I’m really lost to what it could be.

 

[Jekyl]

Need specifics for any help. Listing of parameters, lights and schedule, video of flow. Your rocks looks awfully clean for being as old as it seems they should be.

 

[LARedstickreefer]

That shrimp sure looks suspect.

 

[Seansea]

Sometimes hammers close up when trying to split. Mine close for a few days then pop out with another head. Also coukd be that shrimp tho. Any vermitid snails in the immediate area. They irritate them too.

 

[elBem80]

Need specifics for any help. Listing of parameters, lights and schedule, video of flow. Your rocks looks awfully clean for being as old as it seems they should be.

Surely if it was an imbalance of some sort they would all be suffering?

 

[Jekyl]

Surely if it was an imbalance of some sort they would all be suffering?

Or maybe it's just the first to show signs due to size or preexisting issues.

 

[elBem80]

Sometimes hammers close up when trying to split. Mine close for a few days then pop out with another head. Also coukd be that shrimp tho. Any vermitid snails in the immediate area. They irritate them too.

Or maybe it's just the first to show signs due to size or preexisting issues.

I hope not!

Ph 8.2
Kh 7.3
No2 0.1
No3 1
Nh4 nil
Salinity 1.025
Ca 414
Mg 1550

what do we think?

 

[DED65]

Nitrates are really low. What are your phosphates?

 

[elBem80]

I will test tomorrow and post back. I’m running a roller mat and skimmer on a new tank (few months old) if that’s of use - I’ve read too much filtration can reduce nitrates..

 

[Jekyl]

I will test tomorrow and post back. I’m running a roller mat and skimmer on a new tank (few months old) if that’s of use - I’ve read too much filtration can reduce nitrates..

Newer tank and no food will both irritate coral. Try to keep nitrate to 5 at the lowest. If it hits zero you'll run the risk of dinos and have a whole new headache

 

[elBem80]

Newer tank and no food will both irritate coral. Try to keep nitrate to 5 at the lowest. If it hits zero you'll run the risk of dinos and have a whole new headache

OK cool I'll aim for that - thanks for the advice!

 

[Solo McReefer]

How did it go?

 

[elBem80]

How did it go?

It withered away and died. I had similar with the green hammer but it seems to be on the mend.

I very recently started dosing alk, calc and mag (mainly alk as it was dropping noticeably each day) to bring them closer to 850 alk, cal 440 and 1400 mag. Still testing daily and making adjustments but seems to be making the positive difference. I bought a hanna ULR for phosphate which appears acceptable. Nitrates are ok ish also (around 10).

I was under the impression weekly water changes would be enough to keep everything in check (not heavily stocked) but seems dosing, and stabilising the main 3 has done the business.