Hammer Coral Dying?

[pfount10]

Hi all, I got a hammer coral for free this last weekend as part of a sale and it looks like it’s really shriveling up. I don’t know if this is normal or not, I know most of my other corals retract in at night. Here are pictures of when I first got it and tonight. Give it to me straight guys, is she dying? I moved it down the rock a bit in case it was getting too much light and my fingers smelled like stink bug. Is that bad? I have to imagine that’s not good

 

[Dom]

What are you water chemistry numbers? What kind of light do you have?

 

[GHOSTLY]

Assuming its the stock light on the fluval flex 32 it could be getting almost too much if its max power. Parameters would be good but id start by moving it to the sandbed first

 

[pfount10]

Assuming its the stock light on the fluval flex 32 it could be getting almost too much if its max power. Parameters would be good but id start by moving it to the sandbed first

It is the stock light, I’ll try moving it to the sand bed where I know other lps have been doing well. Thank you and I’ll let you know if it improves.

What are you water chemistry numbers? What kind of light do you have?

i really don’t know, I am relying on my LFS to give me numbers tomorrow and I have up to this point been using some test strips that are kinda Garbo. Not a good answer I know. It’s the stock light on the fluvial flex 32 gallon.

 

[GHOSTLY]

Even those the light is pretty underpowered the hammer is directly under it. I would say move it dead middle sandbed so it still has adequate conditions and give it time

 

[pfount10]

Even those the light is pretty underpowered the hammer is directly under it. I would say move it dead middle sandbed so it still has adequate conditions and give it time

Roger that! Just moved it. I’ll let you knit if there is improvement tomorrow.

 

[Dom]

i really don’t know, I am relying on my LFS to give me numbers

Friend, you can't rely on the local fish store. In fact, I would double check ANY information you get from them here first.

It was early on in the hobby for me when I went into a LFS, provided a water sample and asked: " can you please check this sample and tell me if I am ready for an Anemone?"

He said: "Sure, have a look around while I test."

It wasn't 5 minutes later when I returned to see how things were progressing. He said: "your parameters are good." AND, he already had the bubble tip I was interested in a bag and ready to go!

Looking back, in that short amount of time, he likely dumped my sample, bagged the Anemone and told me everything looked good.

The Anemone was dead a few weeks later.

So rely on a buddy, rely on friends in a local reef keeping club. But do not rely solely on the LFS. They struggle to compete with their on line counterparts and experiences like mine are the result..

 

[pfount10]

Hi all, I got a hammer coral for free this last weekend as part of a sale and it looks like it’s really shriveling up. I don’t know if this is normal or not, I know most of my other corals retract in at night. Here are pictures of when I first got it and tonight. Give it to me straight guys, is she dying? I moved it down the rock a bit in case it was getting too much light and my fingers smelled like stink bug. Is that bad? I have to imagine that’s not good

Update for everyone! The colony is doing a lot better now! Looks a lot like the first pic again. Thank you for the advice y’all!