Hammer coral not opening

[Canaan Gary]

I purchased this toxic splatter a while back and it was doing just fine at first. Now it isn’t opening. I recently got a Nero 3 but it’s nowhere near my LPS and it’s running at 50% pulse. I tried turning it off and it didn’t make a difference. These are before and after pics and these are my parameters:
Calc 460
Alk 8.
Mg ?
Nitrate 4
Nitrite 0
Ammonia 0
Phosphate < .25
pH 7.9
Salinity 1.03

 

[twhit030]

How long have you had it? WhT lights do you have and how intense are they? And do you have any angel fish or other fish that might nip? Could be many things.

 

[Canaan Gary]

No fish mess with it. I’ve had it about three months. This is my lighting schedule and my light is about 13 inches off the top. It’s a single AI prime on a biocube 32. The hammer is getting about 150 par.

 

[twhit030]

Numbers look good and the power head is good for that tank it. How long ago did it start closing up? I have a second tank that is a mixed reef with some hefty power heads and I did the same thing I moved the power heads one day and no where near the torch but it closed up and didn’t open for a week and now it’s opening back up again. Same with a candy cane coral.

 

[Canaan Gary]

Numbers look good and the power head is good for that tank it. How long ago did it start closing up? I have a second tank that is a mixed reef with some hefty power heads and I did the same thing I moved the power heads one day and no where near the torch but it closed up and didn’t open for a week and now it’s opening back up again. Same with a candy cane coral.

It started closing up like a couple weeks ago. Hasn’t opened up fully since then

 

[DesertReefT4r]

I'm having the same issue with an orange mini hammer.

 

[Canaan Gary]

I'm having the same issue with an orange mini hammer.

Yeah you can see the orange in the bottom right and it’s doing the same thing. My LFS just said “we don’t know. it could be so many things” so I’m not quite sure what to do because I don’t wanna lose them.

 

[Canaan Gary]

The hammer’s are only getting worse! What do I do?!

 

[Jekyl]

Missing magnesium test and if salinity is really 1.03 you have an issue with that.

 

[mdb_talon]

Have you checked for pests? Specifically thinking polyclad flatworms. They will cause a slow decline like that and are often hard to see because they blend in.

 

[Canaan Gary]

Missing magnesium test and if salinity is really 1.03 you have a serious issue with that.

 

[Canaan Gary]

Where should my salinity be?

 

[Jekyl]

Where should my salinity be?

1.025 or so. I run mine at 1.026. It's a difference that will matter over time.

 

[Jekyl]

They also don't like being in the sand.

 

[Losirk]

Salinity too high and mag is important for hammers. I recommend the salifert mag test kit. Try and examine carefully with a flashlight for pests, could be the issue if params aren't

 

[Canaan Gary]

They also don't like being in the sand.

Okay good to know. I’m gonna check

Salinity too high and mag is important for hammers. I recommend the salifert mag test kit. Try and examine carefully with a flashlight for pests, could be the issue if params aren't

i meant 1.023 on the salinity LOL. I know it’s not light because I have some Duncan’s that at are thriving in the same light. I’ll order a mag kit now. I use salifert for alk and calc anyways.

 

[mdb_talon]

Okay good to know. I’m gonna check

i meant 1.023 on the salinity LOL. I know it’s not light because I have some Duncan’s that at are thriving in the same light. I’ll order a mag kit now. I use salifert for alk and calc anyways.

1.023 is a little low for a reef tank but likely not the issue. Checking MG is good...i would still be checking for pests asap

 

[Canaan Gary]

1.023 is a little low for a reef tank but likely not the issue. Checking MG is good...i would still be checking for pests asap

Check at night for pest? What exactly am I looking for?

 

[Jekyl]

Check at night for pest? What exactly am I looking for?

Anything that isn't a copepod.

 

[mdb_talon]

Check at night for pest? What exactly am I looking for?

They look like easily removable so i would remove from tank put in a light dip and blow them with baster and see if pests fly off. Then closely inspect(flashlight helps) looking for eggs and pests.