Hammer Issue

[kfries]

I just bought this hammer. Drip acclimated it. Dipped in coral rx per instructions. Now it is looking like it is extending its internals. My nitrates or about zero. 10.5 dkh. Dont have tests for the rest.

 

[DirectCherry]

I'm no reef chemistry expert, but I think zero nitrates or phosphates is bad for coral, but I'm mostly commenting to bump your post for you :)

 

[Cichlid Dad]

I just bought this hammer. Drip acclimated it. Dipped in coral rx per instructions. Now it is looking like it is extending its internals. My nitrates or about zero. 10.5 dkh. Dont have tests for the rest.

Hello, there is a few things an aquarium needs before coral like lps and sps are added. First stable parameters and an understanding of what that is. Test kits for nitrates, phosphate , ph, alkalinity, magnesium and calcium. If you started with dry rock then your tank needs time to develop and mature. I would watch many videos and study up on keeping corals. I would start with beginner coral, they are cheap and once you can keep those then move to birdsnest and other easy coral. It takes time. You will only be able to pick up and understand a little bit at a time and have to go back and rewatch videos as you gain knowledge. It takes a good year or more to stabilize a reef and really get it going if you start with little knowledge and dry rock. I suggest as @Propane has suggested to lots of new reefers BRS 52 weeks on you tube. There are 5 minutes guide videos but those don't go into real depth.

 

[kfries]

Thanks for all the info and suggestions. The hammer looks to be turning around. I had been in the hobby for five years before kids. Took about a five year break and I am getting back in. I forgot how long it takes to get everything back in line. I will slow down my stocking efgorts on this one.
As a note I mispoke on my tests. I have the ammonia, no3, no4, ph and kh tests. I usually test every other day. I meant no phosphate, ca, mg and other specific tests.

 

[Idech]

If it was just dipped give it 24 hours.

 

[Matt Bravo]

Give it some time since it’s new, but if the problem persists you will need to get some kits, specifically to measure calc and mag. You already have alk so that’s fine but definitely slightly raise nitrates

 

[kfries]

Looking much better today.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I just bought this hammer. Drip acclimated it. Dipped in coral rx per instructions. Now it is looking like it is extending its internals. My nitrates or about zero. 10.5 dkh. Dont have tests for the rest.

Appears to be a gamma shrimp but also hammer while listed as a starter coral is not a good coral for a tank that is new and unstable. Additionally, over alk is importance for calcium 400 or over and while they can tolerate low po4 and no3, an established system would be better with nutrient availability. They are best off the sand which can irritate them at lower third under moderate light and water flow.
Too much flow will upset them and too little flow will cause them to shrink. Just a few things to keep in mind. They are likely upset from dip and should fluff out over the next several hours.