Unhappy Hammers

[CMPS]

2/4 of my branching hammers are losing heads, and the other two are still not too happy. What should I do?

My tank build: ChunkyMunky Pengopus's 63 gallon reef
Other info: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/i-feed-once-a-week.809869/#post-8680664

These are my parameters:
Salinity: 1.025
PH: 8.1
phosphate: 0
KH: 8
Calcium: 340 (I'll update this in the morning)
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 0

 

[vetteguy53081]

Calcium low and those zero numbers are improbable. I’m assuming you’re using api test kits?
Moderate light and water flow is favorable.
They’re losing heads from stress
Recommended:
Temp 77-79
Ph. 8.1-8.3
Salinity 1.025
Nitrate < .04
Phosphate < ,04
Ammonia. < .03
Mag 1300
Ca 440
Alk 8-9

 

[CMPS]

Calcium low and those zero numbers are improbable. I’m assuming you’re using api test kits?
Moderate light and water flow is favorable.
They’re losing heads from stress
Recommended:
Temp 77-79
Ph. 8.1-8.3
Salinity 1.025
Nitrate < .04
Phosphate < ,04
Ammonia. < .03
Mag 1300
Ca 440
Alk 8-9

Thanks, yes, I was using API test kits and I should have clarified.

Should I reposition them for better flow then? I will continue my calcium dosing (Seachem Reef Fusion) and I expect the number has gone up slightly.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Yes, I was using API test kits and I should have clarified.

Should I reposition them for better flow then? I will continue my calcium dosing (Seachem Reef Fusion) and I expect the number has gone up slightly.

API kits notorious for false readings and have let down many reefers. Your ammonia and nitrate levels mainly are likely higher than kit is showing. Likely part of issue. They need moderate flow.
Mine are like a jungle

 

[Vergilius]

Magnesium?

I do weekly 10 gallon water changes on a 29 gallon biocube. Thus, I never checked magnesium. I lost a 5 head colony of highlighter hammers, 3 different acan frags, & a colony of kryptonite candycanes. Turns out the bag of IO Reef Crystals I am currently using has low magnesium.

 

[ATAquariums]

This looks like a big temp swing response

 

[CMPS]

API kits notorious for false readings and have let down many reefers. Your ammonia and nitrate levels mainly are likely higher than kit is showing. Likely part of issue. They need moderate flow.
Mine are like a jungle

I think I should decrease flow then? Also that is one nice jungle :)

Magnesium?

I do weekly 10 gallon water changes on a 29 gallon biocube. Thus, I never checked magnesium. I lost a 5 head colony of highlighter hammers, 3 different acan frags, & a colony of kryptonite candycanes. Turns out the bag of IO Reef Crystals I am currently using has low magnesium.

I dose Seachem Reef Fusion, but thank you, I might look into magnesium levels

This looks like a big temp swing response

They have been like this for a few months. In any case, I will try to more closely monitor my temperature. Is there any way I could remedy this?

 

[ATAquariums]

If it’s been a while that’s a water chemistry issue. I’d send a sample off to icp

 

[Vergilius]

I believe Reef Fusion is only calcium and alkalinity.

 

[CMPS]

I believe Reef Fusion is only calcium and alkalinity.

It also includes magnesium, strontium, boron, iron, manganese, and molybdenum

 

[CMPS]

If it’s been a while that’s a water chemistry issue. I’d send a sample off to icp

It may as well be, but there are two other hammer colonies in the same tank that are making progress while these two others are declining. I am starting to think it may mainly be flow, along with other factors?

 

[s_tempest]

2/4 of my branching hammers are losing heads, and the other two are still not too happy. What should I do?

My tank build: ChunkyMunky Pengopus's 63 gallon reef
Other info: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/i-feed-once-a-week.809869/#post-8680664

These are my parameters:
Salinity: 1.025
PH: 8.1
phosphate: 0
KH: 8
Calcium: 340 (I'll update this in the morning)
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 0

What is that coral in the bottom left of your middle pic? It looks cool with those tentacles out.

 

[CMPS]

What is that coral in the bottom left of your middle pic? It looks cool with those tentacles out.

Candy cane corals- they are my best growing corals currently