Hammer Flow

[ashtoreth]

Hi,

I just got this hammer a few days ago and have very recently turned up the flow in my tank to try and eliminate a specific dead spot. However, I've noticed all the tentacles on the hammer are now going upwards (vs. some were extended enough to cover the fleshy skirt before). Do you think this is an appropriate flow level for the hammer or should I move it to a new place with lower flow?

 

[edsbeaker]

Hi,
I can’t open the video. If you upload it to You Tube and attach the link here we will be able to view it.

 

[Red_Beard]

Looks fine. Could handle a little more if you needed too.

 

[ashtoreth]

Hi,
I can’t open the video. If you upload it to You Tube and attach the link here we will be able to view it.

Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ktLN4NfAD8Q

 

[ashtoreth]

Looks fine. Could handle a little more if you needed too.

So it's fine that it's not getting as extended / floppy and long-tentacle-y as it was in the LFS? I had read that being able to see the fleshy skirt is not good but wasn't sure if this is just it needs time to adjust as my tank is presumably now higher flow than the tanks in the LFS.

 

[edsbeaker]

It looks good to me as well. It is definitely not getting too much flow. It takes some time for it to adjust to new lights and new flow in a new tank, so just be patient and don’t move it around too much. Give it time to adjust.

 

[Red_Beard]

So it's fine that it's not getting as extended / floppy and long-tentacle-y as it was in the LFS? I had read that being able to see the fleshy skirt is not good but wasn't sure if this is just it needs time to adjust as my tank is presumably now higher flow than the tanks in the LFS.

Yep, totally fine. As long as it isnt starting to retract or show signs of stress it is good. I would still say that yours looks like it is in moderate to low flow. Random flow will make you be able to see the skirt as the polyps are pushed from side to side. Gentle random flow is the optimal flow for these dudes anyhow.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

hmm now youre making me wonder if mine are in too high of flow! lol!

 

[Red_Beard]

hmm now youre making me wonder if mine are in too high of flow! lol!

They can handle quite a bit and will let you know if it is too much. Mi e get hammered pretty hard. When it is too much they start looking lots less fluffy and show more of the mouth. If they are still puff but getting tossed around all over the place they are perfect

 

[smitten with ocean life]

what about retracting?

 

[Red_Beard]

what about retracting?

If they are retracting, it could be too much flow. Dial it down a bit for a week or so or change where your powerhead is pointed and see if it starts to look better. It could be flow, but it could also be something else.

 

[edsbeaker]

They can handle quite a bit and will let you know if it is too much. Mi e get hammered pretty hard. When it is too much they start looking lots less fluffy and show more of the mouth. If they are still puff but getting tossed around all over the place they are perfect

I second this! I would say mine get higher random flow and are loving it. I think hammers are pretty adaptable.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

It looks fine to me, the polyps should jiggle in the flow IMO.

None of us saw the coral at the shop, so we can't compare. We only see the video you provide and in this video the coral looks perfectly fine, as mentioned it can handle even more.

 

[ashtoreth]

They can handle quite a bit and will let you know if it is too much. Mi e get hammered pretty hard. When it is too much they start looking lots less fluffy and show more of the mouth. If they are still puff but getting tossed around all over the place they are perfect

Got it, that's really helpful. Just to check, when we say "retracted" for hammers, it's when you start seeing the skeleton underneath or basically just no polyp extension (all huddled up on the head)? Whereas shorter tentacles doesn't necessarily mean "retraction"?

I am trying to aim for the med-low random flow but only have two tunze nanostreams and RFG nozzles so it's not as random as I'd like but it's not all blowing to one side so I figured I'd just let it adjust for now.

 

[Red_Beard]

Got it, that's really helpful. Just to check, when we say "retracted" for hammers, it's when you start seeing the skeleton underneath or basically just no polyp extension (all huddled up on the head)? Whereas shorter tentacles doesn't necessarily mean "retraction"?

I am trying to aim for the med-low random flow but only have two tunze nanostreams and RFG nozzles so it's not as random as I'd like but it's not all blowing to one side so I figured I'd just let it adjust for now.

yes, to the polyp retraction, where they are all huddled close to the head. They will look like that at night if you look after lights out. In stronger flow, they won't reach out quite as much as they would in too little flow, but that is normal. If you start seeing skeleton underneath you are definitely going to have problems and either the flow is WAY too high, or it is not healthy for some other reason.

 

[BryanM]

Hi,

I just got this hammer a few days ago and have very recently turned up the flow in my tank to try and eliminate a specific dead spot. However, I've noticed all the tentacles on the hammer are now going upwards (vs. some were extended enough to cover the fleshy skirt before). Do you think this is an appropriate flow level for the hammer or should I move it to a new place with lower flow?

Looks fine, could take more, but not needed.

I've had hammers and torches take a week after I get them home and in the tank to get back to looking like they were at the LFS.

Looks a little dark, could just be the pic, but do you know what par that is sitting in?