New Hammer

cutlass5268 · Mar 9, 2024

I’ve had this hammer coral I bought from a LFS, seems pale to me, but it’s my first coral. I’ve had it 3 weeks now. Full disclosure, I did drop it a couple weeks ago while trying to break off the frag plug. But it seemed to bounce back pretty quickly. I just have a Nicrew marine 30” light strip for the tank right now, running 95% blue and 20% white. I know the par is probably not great with this light, but I have a new one coming tomorrow. I also have a couple of BTA’s and a Borneman anenome, which are all doing great.
I know my epoxy/glue job is terrible, but I was freaking out after dropping it and just wanted to get it secured in the tank so I could leave it alone. I’ve done lots of searching, but can’t figure out why the bottom part of the hammer is so transparent. Not sure if it needs more light or something. I don’t have a PAR meter, and because I live in a small city, there’s not one to rent anywhere.
My water seems to test fine;
SG. 1.024
Phosphate .005
PH 8.3
Ammonia 0
Nitrates 2.5ppm
Nitrite 0
Alkalinity 8.0

Anyway, here’s some pictures to see what you all think.
Thanks!!

cutlass5268 · Mar 9, 2024

Not sure how to edit a post, but I forgot to mention, my calcium is around 420. I don't have a way to measure magnesium yet, but I have a test kit for that coming today.

ThaBeast · Mar 9, 2024

Tank looks very new. Just give the hammer some time. I wouldn’t increase light, let it settle in. Too much light is more detrimental than too little light
Off topic, here are my hooligan poodle boys

cutlass5268 · Mar 9, 2024

Thanks for the input, I’ll just leave the hammer alone. Hopefully it will be okay with the new light once I get it installed. I felt like the worst person on the planet when I dropped it!! I’ve been feeding it reef energy plus almost every day, which seemed to help it recover pretty quickly.
Omg, those hooligans are awesome!! That’s a really good picture!! I love standards, but was only allowed to get a mini. Although he’s a big mini;

kevgib67 · Mar 9, 2024

cutlass5268 said:
I’ve had this hammer coral I bought from a LFS, seems pale to me, but it’s my first coral. I’ve had it 3 weeks now. Full disclosure, I did drop it a couple weeks ago while trying to break off the frag plug. But it seemed to bounce back pretty quickly. I just have a Nicrew marine 30” light strip for the tank right now, running 95% blue and 20% white. I know the par is probably not great with this light, but I have a new one coming tomorrow. I also have a couple of BTA’s and a Borneman anenome, which are all doing great.
I know my epoxy/glue job is terrible, but I was freaking out after dropping it and just wanted to get it secured in the tank so I could leave it alone. I’ve done lots of searching, but can’t figure out why the bottom part of the hammer is so transparent. Not sure if it needs more light or something. I don’t have a PAR meter, and because I live in a small city, there’s not one to rent anywhere.
My water seems to test fine;
SG. 1.024
Phosphate .005
PH 8.3
Ammonia 0
Nitrates 2.5ppm
Nitrite 0
Alkalinity 8.0

Anyway, here’s some pictures to see what you all think.
Thanks!!

You can rent a par meter from BRS relatively cheap. Calcium looks fine, hammers like magnesium slightly elevated, I keep mine at 1400. I would get your nutrients up, your phosphate is nearly bottomed out, opens the door for dinos. Shoot for phosphates at.05-.1 and nitrates at 10-15. Your hammer looks fine and I don’t think you caused any damage with dropping it. Here’s my standard poodle with his best friend. Happy reefing!

oregon reefer · Mar 9, 2024

cutlass5268 said:
I’ve had this hammer coral I bought from a LFS, seems pale to me, but it’s my first coral. I’ve had it 3 weeks now. Full disclosure, I did drop it a couple weeks ago while trying to break off the frag plug. But it seemed to bounce back pretty quickly. I just have a Nicrew marine 30” light strip for the tank right now, running 95% blue and 20% white. I know the par is probably not great with this light, but I have a new one coming tomorrow. I also have a couple of BTA’s and a Borneman anenome, which are all doing great.
I know my epoxy/glue job is terrible, but I was freaking out after dropping it and just wanted to get it secured in the tank so I could leave it alone. I’ve done lots of searching, but can’t figure out why the bottom part of the hammer is so transparent. Not sure if it needs more light or something. I don’t have a PAR meter, and because I live in a small city, there’s not one to rent anywhere.
My water seems to test fine;
SG. 1.024
Phosphate .005
PH 8.3
Ammonia 0
Nitrates 2.5ppm
Nitrite 0
Alkalinity 8.0

Anyway, here’s some pictures to see what you all think.
Thanks!!

That hammer looks just like it is supposed to. I’ve seen these online. Don’t worry. It’s happy.

cutlass5268 · Mar 9, 2024

kevgib67 said:
You can rent a par meter from BRS relatively cheap. Calcium looks fine, hammers like magnesium slightly elevated, I keep mine at 1400. I would get your nutrients up, your phosphate is nearly bottomed out, opens the door for dinos. Shoot for phosphates at.05-.1 and nitrates at 10-15. Your hammer looks fine and I don’t think you caused any damage with dropping it. Here’s my standard poodle with his best friend. Happy reefing!

That looks like a comfy pillow he’s got there