Hammer question - advice please

[Tommy's Reef]

I had a giant leach type bug eat my elegance once it was as big as my pinky tip but only half an inch long. Look for bugs

 

[Tommy's Reef]

It ate a whole straight threw the shell. And half devoured it before i even knew it was a bug. I thought it was just dying. Take it out and inspect it

 

[Vaughn17]

You're not using GFO, are you? I killed several hammers using GFO. They didn't die quickly, either. Slowly recessed. Took months for them to die. First I thought it was flow, then lighting. No more GFO and hammers are happy.

 

[Wayneb332]

Have you checked your phosphates. I have read a few articles and it sounds like what you have going on.

 

[Wayneb332]

http://www.corallore.com/high-phosphates-in-reef-aquarium/

 

[Tippfish]

Phosphates near 0

I lived through the GFO experience about 5 months ago. No GFO since.

 

[Tippfish]

Hammer has looked a bit better the last 2 days...

 

[Tippfish]

Thanks for all of the comments and links. It helps expand my understanding.

I got into reefing almost 365 days ago. I did it to lower my work stress. While very enjoyable, I did not think I would stress this much over "just coral". These little guys have become family pets.

 

[Vaughn17]

Hang in there. This hobby is challenging!

 

[Darrell Brady]

have you checked your p04

 

[Tippfish]

0.25 ppm

 

[Darrell Brady]

Or you running any gfo? Your p04 is high believe it would if you can bring it down.

 

[Tippfish]

No GFO, nothing in the tank likes it...

Started wet skimming

Considering an algae reactor or scrubber...

Opinions on this approach?

Thanks

 

[Darrell Brady]

have you tried another type of po4 remover.

 

[Tippfish]

Nope. I'd really like to avoid addition of chemicals if possible.

 

[Darrell Brady]

have you look in to the pax bellum reactor. there pricey though.