Hammer health signs

[boogiesnap]

Hi y’all. I’ve had a branching hammer about 2 months. He’s got 2 heads. It had always been very extended with his branches reaching reaching far out and a few “feelers” way way out. Coloration was on the pale side but appeared to me very healthy due to its extension.

I’ve just ran into a hair algae spell and have been doing more frequent water changes to help resolve, normally once a week, now I’ve done a few this week so far.

The hammers colors are now popping like never before, dayglo even. However, it’s not extending as far as it had. Still bushy and full but not reaching as wide.

I’m kinda new so I don’t know what I’m seeing, is it healthier and feeling better and showing better coloration, or was it healthier and feeling better when more extended?

Hope I’m explaining the situation well, any opinions are much appreciated and thank you.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

If possible, some pics in white lighting will really help

 

[PensacolaReefKeeper]

I would consider the possibility that it only appears brighter because there's less water in the tissues. My hammers do well in water that is not overly low in nitrate and phosphate.

 

[Dburr1014]

Hi y’all. I’ve had a branching hammer about 2 months. He’s got 2 heads. It had always been very extended with his branches reaching reaching far out and a few “feelers” way way out. Coloration was on the pale side but appeared to me very healthy due to its extension.

I’ve just ran into a hair algae spell and have been doing more frequent water changes to help resolve, normally once a week, now I’ve done a few this week so far.

The hammers colors are now popping like never before, dayglo even. However, it’s not extending as far as it had. Still bushy and full but not reaching as wide.

I’m kinda new so I don’t know what I’m seeing, is it healthier and feeling better and showing better coloration, or was it healthier and feeling better when more extended?

Hope I’m explaining the situation well, any opinions are much appreciated and thank you.

If you have old and new pics, that would be great.

Could be from many things. Lighting, flow, ect. Things change that you may even know are happening. Like, water changes can introduce cleaner water allowing more light to penetrate the water.
Flow can be inhibited from growing coral.
Ect...

 

[boogiesnap]

I would consider the possibility that it only appears brighter because there's less water in the tissues. My hammers do well in water that is not overly low in nitrate and phosphate.

Is that a good or bad thing? Less water in the tissue