Hammer coral not looking good

[ahill25]

So I've had this hammer for about 6 months and just this past week, it has shrivled up and I can start to see the skeleton. What could've caused this and is it dying? This is one of the oldest corals I have and don't want to lose it!

ph: 8.4
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 5.0
phosphates: .25

 

[blaxsun]

Lighting and/or flow are the usual suspects.

 

[MONTANTK]

What are your Alk, Ca, Mg levels?

 

[ahill25]

What are your Alk, Ca, Mg levels?

I currently don't have an alk or mg test. My Ca is around 420.

 

[Llyod276]

You don't perchance have a hungry coral beauty angelfish? Mine appreciated appreciated 40$ snacks.

 

[ahill25]

Lighting and/or flow are the usual suspects.

I usually have my lights on around 8 hrs. I've adjusted to about 7 hours and turned up the flow.

 

[ahill25]

You don't perchance have a hungry coral beauty angelfish? Mine appreciated appreciated 40$ snacks.

I do not.. :(

 

[Llyod276]

Hmm. Hope it makes it. Try moving it around and or get your water tested at an lfs that can test the elements you can't.

 

[reeferZ]

you would be wise to purchase the other test. Alk being the most important. Nitrates of 0 is a problem - i shoot for 2-5 in my sps dominate system

 

[ahill25]

So I found a KH test kit and after researching I found that it's the same as alk. Is that true? If so, it read around 10kh.

I currently don't have an alk or mg test. My Ca is around 420.

 

[MONTANTK]

I currently don't have an alk or mg test. My Ca is around 420.

I highly recommend testing Alk (KH) and Mg as those are very important to monitor with LPS and SPS. Swings in Alk can cause a lot of stress to your coral. If you have had it for 6 months and it’s suddenly not looking well I would suspect it’s nutrient/element related. Your phosphates are also a little low