hammer corals getting lighter.

fernalfer · Apr 4, 2017

I have 2 hammer corals that are growing and always out but look like they are almost see thru. (transparent). Any ideas why?

Parameters:

Alk- 8.9
Calcium- 440
Magnesium- 1430
pH- 8.2
Nitrates- 2
Phosphates- 0.02

Oscar47f · Apr 5, 2017

You might be bleaching them out with your lights.. or other parameters. probably the lights though

wkscott · Apr 5, 2017

Do you directly feed them? I've noticed color fading when I only rely on photosynthesis. Of course, all lighting is different, so maybe if I had them under slightly more intense light this wouldn't be an issue.

Oscar47f · Apr 5, 2017

they're not souls dependent on food they should maintain color and grow very well without feeding but it does make sense what walcott said maybe try feeding it?

fernalfer · Apr 6, 2017

well my hammers are close to the bottom and i'm using Reefbreeders Photon V2's LED lighting. It comes with 6 channels. I don't even use the reds and the greens and the royal Blues at their highest intensity in middle of the day is only 50% with whites only at 20% in a 2 ft deep tank. Doubt the lighting is to intense but maybe it is i don't know. The only other place in the tank that would be less intense is if i put them in the shade.

All of my other 32 corals in the tank are just fine with great color. confused i guess.

Zack K · Apr 6, 2017

fernalfer said:
well my hammers are close to the bottom and i'm using Reefbreeders Photon V2's LED lighting. It comes with 6 channels. I don't even use the reds and the greens and the royal Blues at their highest intensity in middle of the day is only 50% with whites only at 20% in a 2 ft deep tank. Doubt the lighting is to intense but maybe it is i don't know. The only other place in the tank that would be less intense is if i put them in the shade.

All of my other 32 corals in the tank are just fine with great color. confused i guess.

Lights and nutrition are the two biggest factors of Dying and bleaching LPS. Euphyillia in specific like dirtier water. With that being said i like my nitrates around 5ppm- 10ppm and phosphates .2ppm- .4ppm. I did have a little algae problem form time to time but the CUC takes care of it and all coral are happy and healthy. Your light may be bleaching as well. What percentage are you running your lights at? Also, is it a wall hammer or branching hammer?

fernalfer · Apr 6, 2017

Zack Klabunde said:
Lights and nutrition are the two biggest factors of Dying and bleaching LPS. Euphyillia in specific like dirtier water. With that being said i like my nitrates around 5ppm- 10ppm and phosphates .2ppm- .4ppm. I did have a little algae problem form time to time but the CUC takes care of it and all coral are happy and healthy. Your light may be bleaching as well. What percentage are you running your lights at? Also, is it a wall hammer or branching hammer?

my lighting percentage is above your last post and i have 1 wall hammer and 1 branching.

saltyfilmfolks · Apr 6, 2017

Yes probably a bit more light than nutrints in the water. Spot feed it.
Itys not worth messing with the lights.

fernalfer · Apr 6, 2017

what do hammers like to eat?

Oscar47f · Apr 6, 2017

You can try a variety of foods, Ive used Reef roids and reef chili both are great, but they can also handle some meaty foods or LPS pellets or pellets in general.....