Why are all my hammer corals bailing out

[MoH]

So a bunch of my hammers have just been loosing heads left and right and I have no clue why. Nothing has changed in my tank and no new addition of corals or fish. Everything had been thriving for months and out of nowhere I lost a wall hammer. Then I lost a torch followed by another and now some of the hammers I’ve had for a very long time also doing the same thing. I have about 20-30 acros in my tank all hno problems. My 2 gonis are fine. My 4 scolys look fine. My brains acantho and acans all good too. It’s just these hammers and torches. Please assist in helping me identify what this could be

already lost 700+ in torches and hundreds more in hammers... my TCK torch is still alive and if that dies it’s going to really hurt.

looks like polyp bail out but Idunno and don’t understand what I can do about it

 

[MoH]

Params below for majors
I don’t test nitrate anymore
Phos I can test if you would like me to or if it helps to figure this out

 

[MERKEY]

Is the flesh receding first or are the heads going from the mouth first?

 

[MERKEY]

Params below for majors
I don’t test nitrate anymore
Phos I can test if you would like me to or if it helps to figure this out

Yes phos and nitrates would help.

 

[MoH]

Yes phos and nitrates would help.

Not sure if you look close looks like receding first?

 

[MoH]

Not sure if you look close looks like receding first?

 

[Trey]

Is your mag always that high?

 

[MERKEY]

Not sure if you look close looks like receding first?

Definitely check no3 and po4

 

[MoH]

Is your mag always that high?

I would say it’s a bit lower then normal right now in general yes it runs close to this

 

[Reef Guy Ronnie]

Ive had this happen with my euphyillia selection as well. Hard times to see the heads bail out like that. I ran a chemiclean treatment in the tank to fight against a possible bacterial infection. (Ive read of ppl using a CIPRO or other bacterial fighter as well...) I have also pulled each head out the tank and dipped them in Bayer for a possible bug or worm infestation. After a beyer dip, I dip in iodine for 20 min and soak in an amino acid bath for another 20 min.

I did have success with this treatment. Hope it helps for you as well.

 

[MoH]

Ive had this happen with my euphyillia selection as well. Hard times to see the heads bail out like that. I ran a chemiclean treatment in the tank to fight against a possible bacterial infection. (Ive read of ppl using a CIPRO or other bacterial fighter as well...) I have also pulled each head out the tank and dipped them in Bayer for a possible bug or worm infestation. After a beyer dip, I dip in iodine for 20 min and soak in an amino acid bath for another 20 min.

I did have success with this treatment. Hope it helps for you as well.

So I should have cipro and chemiclean downstairs in the fish closet. You guys think this is some type of bacterial infection? I didn’t see any signs that lead me to believe brown jelly... I only have coral rx dip on hand.

so what is the best course or plan? I’m really not trying to cheminclean. I have no cyano and it’s just gonna be a mission with my skimmer after also I had no clue that would be effective in this type of situation...

 

[MoH]

This what your talking about?

 

[Reef Guy Ronnie]

The skimmer does an amazing job of pulling out the chemiclean. I always run the 48hr recommended course and pull the water change out, running it in the collection cup and out through a line. This way, I know the chemiclean is fully out the tank.
Without knowing your NO3 and PO4, idk if chemiclean is the right choice. If you battle keeping nutrients in the tank, this will only deplete it more. And that can create bigger problems.
When they bail heads like that, its either bugs, fluctuating PO4 or bacterial.. IME

Do you have a hospital or QT tank set up? Or can set one up?

 

[Reef Guy Ronnie]

Ive done some reading on a H2O2 dip/soak. From what I remember its 10 parts SW and 1 part H2O2. I think the recommended time is 15 min... might have to check though. A lot of mixed reviews on this method though. Ive also done this, never had a euphyillia die because of it. But others may disagree..

 

[MoH]

The skimmer does an amazing job of pulling out the chemiclean. I always run the 48hr recommended course and pull the water change out, running it in the collection cup and out through a line. This way, I know the chemiclean is fully out the tank.
Without knowing your NO3 and PO4, idk if chemiclean is the right choice. If you battle keeping nutrients in the tank, this will only deplete it more. And that can create bigger problems.
When they bail heads like that, its either bugs, fluctuating PO4 or bacterial.. IME

Do you have a hospital or QT tank set up? Or can set one up?

Yes I have a 40 breeder... super annoying since I just cleaned it out and am getting it cycled for my bedroom tank!! I can turn it back into a hospital tank by tomorrow. What a mission sometimes this hobby is the worst!

 

[MoH]

Legit just posted this on Sunday

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/setting-up-a-40-breeder-fish-stocking-help.801534/#post-8543161
Should have never torn down my qt system... Fail

 

[Reef Guy Ronnie]

Yes I have a 40 breeder... super annoying since I just cleaned it out and am getting it cycled for my bedroom tank!! I can turn it back into a hospital tank by tomorrow. What a mission sometimes this hobby is the worst!

I wouldn't say the worst lol
The QT could be set up to run the Cipro treatment if you ever managed to get some.
But first, test those PO4 and see where its at. Look at N03 too. Then decide

 

[MERKEY]

Please check your no3 and po4 before doing anything drastic.

If these are out of whack your lps could be bailing.

 

[MoH]

Please check your no3 and po4 before doing anything drastic.

If these are out of whack your lps could be bailing.

Yeah I’ll have to order a nitrate test kit since mine is prob expired. I can test phosphate and will with my checker. I’ll post that result here soon as I do the test. I’m not into medicating my main display at all so any medication will have to be done outside of that tank. I don’t mind dipping corals that’s easy but do I dip the ones with no signs of this bailout also?

 

[MoH]

Alright thanks everyone for the help here is my plan

ordered a nitrate test kit it will be here on the 12th

Tomorrow
-I will test phosphate and share results it’s late now so can’t do all that right now...
-I will also send out an icp since I have that on hand for emergency situations like this
-I’ll reach out to some local reefers here in the morning someone should be able to spot me a nitrate test kit to use for now

I’ll share all the results and let’s see what makes most sense. I don’t mind running some dips but I really don’t want to stop cycling the 40 and doing some antibiotic treatments unless if I have to. Thanks again for the assist