Water Heater Causing Hammer Coral To Bleach?

[alexiosue]

I have a small 6 gallon nano reef tank that’s relatively new (about a month old) and the hammer coral started opening it’s mouth 2 days ago and now it’s starting to expel its algae. I did a water change and checked levels to see if everything was fine. The nitrite is still a little higher than usual but nothing that won’t correct itself. The only other issue I can possibly see is the water heater I have. I currently have an aqueon 50W heater placed in the back near the hammers. Should I remove it or is it fine to keep in? Also what else can I do to help hammer recover?

 

[Tavero]

What are the water parameters? A heater that can keep the temperature wont be the issue.
I can't see more than a blue blob in the picture.

 

[alexiosue]

Blob is hammer lol. Quality might be kinda bad but that’s cause I had to zoom in.

WATER PARAMETERS:
nitrate 25
nitrite 3
Cl2 0
Total Hardness 110
Total Alkalinity 140
Carbonate 80
pH 7.9
salinity 1.026

got these results from salinity measurer & pH test strip people say they aren’t accurate but I checked online and they are pretty close

 

[Tavero]

Your hardness and alkalinity isnt telling me anything. The default unit is dKH. Nitrite should be always 0 but measuring strips aren't known for their accuracy (If this really is 3mg/l nitrite then there is your problem). Use white light for better fotos.

 

[Dburr1014]

140 PPM = 7.8 DKH

Take a white light picture please.

A water change can bring down the nitrate.
50% will give you half of 25= 12.5...ect....
Not saying do that big but if you do a series of them will do it also.