Odds this Hammer Coral Survives?

[JohnNYC8]

I had two issues happen to this hammer coral: a quick phosphate spike from .1 to .2 (two weeks before bailout) and a change in flow that gave it way too much movement. All of my numbers are stable and in a good range now—I brought P down slowly. I don't see any evidence of brown jelly on this coral but I can’t rule it out because a few weeks ago I had to pull a Joker Torch that was succumbing to bjd (siphoned it up, got good containment, no other sad euplillya for weeks). Also, unlikely, but I have three peppermint shrimp that started hanging out in that area so they could’ve aggravated it.

My guess is it was mostly the flow situation. I moved the power head and both this hammer and the one behind it are extending much more. Every other coral in the tank is thriving aside from a Monti that didn’t like the nutrient spike.

Should I cut that head off? I’ve read accounts of bailout heads regrowing polyps.

What odds do you give this coral of surviving? Maybe I’m overly optimistic but after the flow change it looks like a happy camper. I’d be happy with a 20-50% survival chance. If it was flow and it’s corrected I think it has better than a coin flip of coming back. Am I crazy to expect the rest of this coral to survive?

2 days after bailout in natural light in the morning:

2 1/2 days after bailout under blues:

 

[cdemoss01]

@vetteguy53081

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Personally I don't cut off dead parts. The 2 polyps on the coral look good and healthy to me, I don't see why it wouldn't keep thriving. If the tank is as healthy and stable as you say, then I think you have nothing to worry about. IMO. Good luck

 

[vetteguy53081]

I had two issues happen to this hammer coral: a quick phosphate spike from .1 to .2 (two weeks before bailout) and a change in flow that gave it way too much movement. All of my numbers are stable and in a good range now—I brought P down slowly. I don't see any evidence of brown jelly on this coral but I can’t rule it out because a few weeks ago I had to pull a Joker Torch that was succumbing to bjd (siphoned it up, got good containment, no other sad euplillya for weeks). Also, unlikely, but I have three peppermint shrimp that started hanging out in that area so they could’ve aggravated it.

My guess is it was mostly the flow situation. I moved the power head and both this hammer and the one behind it are extending much more. Every other coral in the tank is thriving aside from a Monti that didn’t like the nutrient spike.

Should I cut that head off? I’ve read accounts of bailout heads regrowing polyps.

What odds do you give this coral of surviving? Maybe I’m overly optimistic but after the flow change it looks like a happy camper. I’d be happy with a 20-50% survival chance. If it was flow and it’s corrected I think it has better than a coin flip of coming back. Am I crazy to expect the rest of this coral to survive?

2 days after bailout in natural light in the morning:

2 1/2 days after bailout under blues:

The one on the left looks like recession of tissue while the one on the right looks like polyp bailout. Some causes and I also recommend elevating it off the sand are major swings in water quality, and any level of copper in the water especially if any tap water was added. Calcium and alk are important parameters that will affect their growth and this coral will start to die off if calcium levels are too low which should be about 400 ppm. Avoid bright light and high water flow and dark lighting. Bright lights cause bleaching and low lighting will cause them to shrink and starve. Maintain moderate light for their photosynthesis and keep it off the sand bed which sand which again can irritate it.

These are just some of mine - notice nobe on my sand bed

 

[JohnNYC8]

The one on the left looks like recession of tissue while the one on the right looks like polyp bailout. Some causes and I also recommend elevating it off the sand are major swings in water quality, and any level of copper in the water especially if any tap water was added. Calcium and alk are important parameters that will affect their growth and this coral will start to die off if calcium levels are too low which should be about 400 ppm. Avoid bright light and high water flow and dark lighting. Bright lights cause bleaching and low lighting will cause them to shrink and starve. Maintain moderate light for their photosynthesis and keep it off the sand bed which sand which again can irritate it.

These are just some of mine - notice nobe on my sand bed

Thank you! I always appreciate your expertise. It might be the angle but it’s on the rock work higher off the sandbed than the picture shows.

That being said I might move it up the rockwork a couple inches.

 

[Tim92G]

I would personally just cut off the third head. Once the skeleton is exposed and necrotic like in that pic it's essentially dead. Keep it out of light and direct flow. Have you checked your magnesium?

 

[JohnNYC8]

I would personally just cut off the third head. Once the skeleton is exposed and necrotic like in that pic it's essentially dead. Keep it out of light and direct flow. Have you checked your magnesium?

I use ESV 2 part so it helps keep magnesium around 1320.

The one on the left looks like recession of tissue while the one on the right looks like polyp bailout. Some causes and I also recommend elevating it off the sand are major swings in water quality, and any level of copper in the water especially if any tap water was added. Calcium and alk are important parameters that will affect their growth and this coral will start to die off if calcium levels are too low which should be about 400 ppm. Avoid bright light and high water flow and dark lighting. Bright lights cause bleaching and low lighting will cause them to shrink and starve. Maintain moderate light for their photosynthesis and keep it off the sand bed which sand which again can irritate it.

These are just some of mine - notice nobe on my sand bed

Thanks again for your reply, you’re a true expert. On the topic of tap water, I thaw frozen food in tank water and feed it over the course of the afternoon so very little food reaches the mechanical filtration. I use a turkey baster and rinse it in tap water between feedings. Could this small amount of tap water be causing an issue. It’s a tiny amount but 4-5 rinses a day could add up over time…

 

[vetteguy53081]

I use ESV 2 part so it helps keep magnesium around 1320.

Thanks again for your reply, you’re a true expert. On the topic of tap water, I thaw frozen food in tank water and feed it over the course of the afternoon so very little food reaches the mechanical filtration. I use a turkey baster and rinse it in tap water between feedings. Could this small amount of tap water be causing an issue. It’s a tiny amount but 4-5 rinses a day could add up over time…

That small amount should have little to no effect on chemistry

 

[JohnNYC8]

That small amount should have little to no effect on chemistry

Ok cool, just trying to rule everything out.

Thinking more about your advice, I’m going to move it up a little and I think it is a little light starved. I thought I had the perfect coral placement all mapped out but these two corals disagree. I’ll try to push the lighting up a little over time to see how everything reacts. I don’t want to break my “don’t change more than one thing at a time” rule so I’ll go slow. Thanks again.

 

[BryanM]

The one on the left looks like recession of tissue while the one on the right looks like polyp bailout. Some causes and I also recommend elevating it off the sand are major swings in water quality, and any level of copper in the water especially if any tap water was added. Calcium and alk are important parameters that will affect their growth and this coral will start to die off if calcium levels are too low which should be about 400 ppm. Avoid bright light and high water flow and dark lighting. Bright lights cause bleaching and low lighting will cause them to shrink and starve. Maintain moderate light for their photosynthesis and keep it off the sand bed which sand which again can irritate it.

These are just some of mine - notice nobe on my sand bed

@vetteguy53081 - what are the circular "flower" looking things all in the middle of your tank?

 

[BryanM]

I had two issues happen to this hammer coral: a quick phosphate spike from .1 to .2 (two weeks before bailout) and a change in flow that gave it way too much movement. All of my numbers are stable and in a good range now—I brought P down slowly. I don't see any evidence of brown jelly on this coral but I can’t rule it out because a few weeks ago I had to pull a Joker Torch that was succumbing to bjd (siphoned it up, got good containment, no other sad euplillya for weeks). Also, unlikely, but I have three peppermint shrimp that started hanging out in that area so they could’ve aggravated it.

My guess is it was mostly the flow situation. I moved the power head and both this hammer and the one behind it are extending much more. Every other coral in the tank is thriving aside from a Monti that didn’t like the nutrient spike.

Should I cut that head off? I’ve read accounts of bailout heads regrowing polyps.

What odds do you give this coral of surviving? Maybe I’m overly optimistic but after the flow change it looks like a happy camper. I’d be happy with a 20-50% survival chance. If it was flow and it’s corrected I think it has better than a coin flip of coming back. Am I crazy to expect the rest of this coral to survive?

2 days after bailout in natural light in the morning:

2 1/2 days after bailout under blues:

I think it survives.

I was leery of cutting off the dead head on mine, someone suggested filling it with superglue instead.... So that is another option if you are worried about something with the dead head.

Eventually it will split again and cover it, or so I think, so I just left it be.

 

[vetteguy53081]

@vetteguy53081 - what are the circular "flower" looking things all in the middle of your tank?

Cabbage leather