Hammer not opening fully

[blueridgereef]

Hey. I recently[2-3 weeks ago], moved the entired contents of my 10 gallon over to the 6 gallon jbj nanocube I had sitting around for another project, because the lack of light[20 watts of PCs] was causing things to receed. Everything else is doing great[zoas, palys, torch, 'shroom, colt coral], but the two heads of hammer won't open all the way. All of the live rock, sand, and most of the water came from the ten, so the tank really hasn't had a cycle. Temp is fine, and params are normal, and I'm stumped. Any thoughts guys?

 

[Speg]

I hate to sound like a nerd..but what is "fine" and what is "normal".

Is the hammer getting direct flow aimed at it or no flow? (how is the flow)

Did you bother checking ammonia? The water isn't what causes or helps avoid a cycle..it's the rock/sand and usually when you disturb sand or rock, you begin a cycle... May want to check the water and post results.

 

[blueridgereef]

I hate to sound like a nerd..but what is "fine" and what is "normal".

Is the hammer getting direct flow aimed at it or no flow? (how is the flow)

Did you bother checking ammonia? The water isn't what causes or helps avoid a cycle..it's the rock/sand and usually when you disturb sand or rock, you begin a cycle... May want to check the water and post results.

Yup. Nitrite around 15 and Nitrates are about .5 .
the hammer is in the front left corner, the k. nano i've got in there for flow is just under the out spout/hole/thingie[back right corner]. so, lowest flow in the tank, but still not stagnant ;)

 

[blueridgereef]

I hate to sound like a nerd..but what is "fine" and what is "normal".

Is the hammer getting direct flow aimed at it or no flow? (how is the flow)

Did you bother checking ammonia? The water isn't what causes or helps avoid a cycle..it's the rock/sand and usually when you disturb sand or rock, you begin a cycle... May want to check the water and post results.

nitrites, 15, nitrates, .5
fairly low, the k. nano is in the other corner of the tank, but it's pretty small so it's still not stagnant by any means.

 

[Speg]

Nitrites must be zero...did you test ammonia? sounds like you're in a cycle.

 

[blueridgereef]

Nitrites must be zero...did you test ammonia? sounds like you're in a cycle.

don't have it. i've got strips that have everything but :P
thoughts on how to make the hammer happy again?

 

[Speg]

Those strips suck....dead serious :) I know they're way easy...but they're not accurate at all.

Do you have a decent LFS close to you where you could get your water tested soon? (not a PetCo)

Honestly, the first step to getting your hammer healthy is to find out what your problem is...to find out what your problem is, we need the numbers :)

Man, I sound nerdy..I'm sorry.

 

[Reef lvr]

Those strips suck....dead serious :) I know they're way easy...but they're not accurate at all.

Do you have a decent LFS close to you where you could get your water tested soon? (not a PetCo)

Honestly, the first step to getting your hammer healthy is to find out what your problem is...to find out what your problem is, we need the numbers :)

Man, I sound nerdy..I'm sorry.

I Agree 100%