help once again required

[PaulSalley3099]

Hi all, wondered if anyone could share any ideas as to whats happening to my Hammer Coral. Its been fine in the spot its in for about 6 months, but the last 24hrs it seems to had decided to start detaching itself from its base.

Ive started doing water tests, which so far is Temp 27.2c, Salinty 34ppm, Amonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate is high at 25, (I am preparing water for a water change) PH8.2, Alk 6.5, low and ive boosted it. Literally as I was making this post, the coral has detached itself from its base, and has settle in a rock crevice.

Is it a gonner, is it saveable, should I remove, either or both parts. This has happened really quickly.

Any advice greatly appretiated.

Paul.

 

[LegendaryCG]

They do that when real unhappy, they try to find a new place to live through polyp bailout. It’s not dead yet but it is very stressed. You already know your params are off, need to keep them more in line and stable.
btw this LPS not SPS

 

[PaulSalley3099]

Thank you for your swift reply. I'm guessing i should remove the old base, but leave the corals tentacles where they are? Which parameter do you think is likely to be the main cause of its unhappiness? Should I complete a water change at this point, or do a more gradual return to better parameters, (trying not to make a bad situation worse?

 

[LegendaryCG]

Thank you for your swift reply. I'm guessing i should remove the old base, but leave the corals tentacles where they are? Which parameter do you think is likely to be the main cause of its unhappiness? Should I complete a water change at this point, or do a more gradual return to better parameters, (trying not to make a bad situation worse?

Just leave it all alone in the tank. Low alk is a problem, hight nitrate is too. A 25% water change would be good to do.

 

[PaulSalley3099]

thank you for your help.

 

[theMeat]

Have had hammers thriving in nitrates much higher than yours. Alk is a problem...