Why is my wall hammer coral not opening fully

Question

URGENT HELP!! I have had one hammer die last week, didn’t think too much of it but now another wall hammer is looking dodgy like that one was before it died.

It’s not opening up fully and two parts are completely retracted and looks extremely unhappy. Please any and all suggestions for how to fix this issue are appreciated and valued

Vin · Answer

It was alk at 5.8dKH

Vin · Answer

So the system is LPS and Softies only the only issue rn is the hammers. Nitrate was 17 and phos was 0.1

John Flores · Answer

They have small media bags for nanos. I would definitely try it out

Vin · Answer

I have just started dosing CVE+ on the recommend does for a softie/lps system

Vin · Answer

Yeah I run low tech I have mostly biological filtration in both my tanks and don’t mess around with it much

Isabella · Answer

Check alk and salinity swings first.

Vin · Answer

It’s on the high end of the range. This system is 90% softies and the rest hammers so the higher phosphate isn’t horribly alarming it stable

steven · Answer

0.1 bit high
0.03 is preferred

John Flores · Answer

What did your phosphates and nitrates read at. 5.8 is extremely low and put corals at risk. Specially SPS and some LPS corals

Vin · Answer

So I just got it tested the alk was only 5.8dKH so definitely gonna be that nitrates and phos were perfectly in range

John Flores · Answer

Great source to add. The way your corals are looking it looks like high nitrates and phosphate mate. Definitely test water parameters and ensure they are with in recommend ppm. PAR lighting is important, while some thrive on lower PARS other require more lighting so coral placement is extremely important so you don’t burn them out.

Vin · Answer

OHHHHH I do run activated carbon and I will get some phosguard also have a look at the comment I posted about the recession and tell me what you think

Vin · Answer

Also I’ve noticed light tissue recession around the flesh band just now. Here’s a pic

Vin · Answer

No I don’t as I have nanos

John Flores · Answer

Do you have media reactors running? Phosguard will help with high phosphates and nitrates can be controlled as well.

John Flores · Answer

Best of luck, enjoy the process it will course correct soon enough. Less is more in this hobby we love.

Vin · Answer

Oh ok I’m decently new to reefing and am a bit unsure I just know the big issues like BJD and salinity. I’m getting it checked tomorrow morning and need it sorted by Thursday cause I have a non cancelable 24k gold torch and don’t want any issues with that for sure. Thanks for your help and I’ll let you know what the issue was.

John Flores · Answer

High nitrates and phosphate will do that. Check your MG, CA and KH make sure they are stable along side your Ph 8.1 to 8.3. If it’s lower, adding a CO2 will help increase through your skimmer. Happy Reefing