Sulking Hammer Corals

[Aussiemarine]

Hey so I have no idea what’s going on with 2 of my hammers at the moment. They are looking very “deflated” they do extend and look normal sometimes but the last week or so have looked more like the pictures than not. I have several other hammers in the tank and they look the best they ever have so not sure what’s going on with these two.

I have checked parameters:
Dkh 7.8 (normally run 8.3 so going to brin it back up)
Calc 480
Mag 1400
Phos 0
Nitrate 15-20ppm
Salinity 1.026
PH 8.5 (high but might be the apex not calibrated properly haven’t done it in ages)

going to do a 20% WC tomorrow but I am at a loss. Only changes is I was battling Dino’s and added a UV sterlisier about 2 weeks ago. Dino’s never came back as it was osteropsis but my hammers were never affected by the Dino’s.

Any ideas or things I’m missing? I’ve never seen hammers that have these “deflated tentacles” before...? Have been in the tankfor 6 months.

Test results :

some of the other corals / hammers in the tank:

 

[Fernthereefer]

Could it be that you bottomed out your phosphates ? You may not detect trace amounts, making it difficult to assess a true 0.

Just an idea.

 

[DeniableArc]

Hi I could be wrong but when you look through the side glass like that you are showing 1ppm not 10
Your nutrients are very low, nitrate might be ok but 0 p04 on a Hanna is very fine line

 

[najer]

As the two above, can you confirm your nitrates and phos?
Is it in different flow than the others?

 

[MERKEY]

Double check all parameters, Euphyllia like a little dirtier water.

Is that a new in the first pic?

Its tenticals could be stretching and touching, just a thought.

 

[Aussiemarine]

Thanks - I have always struggled to keep my nitrates and phosphates up I have a relatively low bioload but I do feed heavily to try and get them elevated. The nitrate is hard to tell I did look through the top and it was closer to the 10ppm than 0ppm but I could be wrong.

I have a few nems in there but Most keep away from the corals towards to front and haven’t seemed to bother anything some are closer to corals than that one without any issues but always a possibility.

flow wise - similar flow to the other hammer that looks happy and I don’t think it’s overly strong in that area

Could it be a lighting issue by any chance?

 

[Aussiemarine]

Look like this at the moment but in a few hours they will sulk again.

Levels are the same haven’t changed ie Phos = 0 Nitrates similar to above.

nem is bigger and closer to them today but they don’t seem bothered by it

 

[Kfactor]

I have the same problem with my po4 and no3 I have been dosing and scared to does to much but with testing so much I run through test kits and packets way to fast lol . I can never find a good rhythm and keep bottoming out my Nutrients nutrients

 

[Aussiemarine]

I have the same problem with my po4 and no3 I have been dosing and scared to does to much but with testing so much I run through test kits and packets way to fast lol . I can never find a good rhythm and keep bottoming out my Nutrients nutrients

Yep it’s a vicious cycle.. might just have to add more fish! Haha