Hammer went into hiding

[ThatGuy]

Got this Hammer Friday and everything was great for about 2 days. Now its all closed up. The only thing thats a little up is my nitrates were around 15-20 ppm. (changed the sump and accidentally stirred up some stoff) but now are dropping.(water change, cut food back) heres some pics of its recession.
DAY 1 & 2

DAY 3 & 4

DAY 4-PRESENT

 

[mnat]

I got bad new for you, that guy is not coming back. On the two heads that are on the right, it that coral flesh that is left or is it a brown slimy substance? Hard to tell from the pics.

 

[TanksNStuff]

Couple questions:
1. How long have you had the hammer?

2. How strong is your water flow going at them?

3. What kind of lights do you have and how old are the bulbs?

4. Where do you live? I can spare some replacements if they don't make it and you're not too far away.

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[ThatGuy]

I got bad new for you, that guy is not coming back. On the two heads that are on the right, it that coral flesh that is left or is it a brown slimy substance? Hard to tell from the pics.

Looks slimmy

Couple questions:
1. How long have you had the hammer?

2. How strong is your water flow going at them?

3. What kind of lights do you have and how old are the bulbs?

4. Where do you live? I can spare some replacements if they don't make it and you're not too far away.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

1-Got it last Friday
2-Its indirect. There was movement but nothing pointed right at it.
3-Bulbs are a week or so old 54watt t5 ho 2-10k 3-atinic 1-purple(coral glow)all corallife
4-Williamstown 08094

 

[mnat]

If it is brown and slimy it could be the dread brown jelly.

http://www.athiel.com/lib/bacterial.html

Now that you are getting into LPS and SPS you might also want to start testing your alk, as they can have big effects on your corals.

 

[dnov99]

I would definitely check your alk like Mike said. For something as hardy as a hammer to die so quickly I am going to guess your alk is very low.

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[ThatGuy]

I will start checking that. But wouldn't my duncan and acans also be affected or not so much? My duncan I got with 2 heads only 3-4 weeks ago and now has 5 heads, and the acans(got same time as duncan) all look good and I even have a small eye growing on one of them.

Also is Alk the only other thing I should keep an eye on? Right now I check NO2, NO3, Ammonia, pH, Calcium, Salinity, and Temp.

 

[NyteGTI]

Phosphate & maybe mag

 

[TanksNStuff]

Yep, add phosphate and magnesium to your test regimen.

Since you're in Williamstown, you're fairly close to me (Blackwood). Once you figure out what's causing the issue and get it straightened out, I'll hook you up with a few branches of hammer. Mine does quite well...

 

[lefkonj]

Yep, add phosphate and magnesium to your test regimen.

Since you're in Williamstown, you're fairly close to me (Blackwood). Once you figure out what's causing the issue and get it straightened out, I'll hook you up with a few branches of hammer. Mine does quite well...

That is stunning.

 

[ThatGuy]

Yep, add phosphate and magnesium to your test regimen.

Since you're in Williamstown, you're fairly close to me (Blackwood). Once you figure out what's causing the issue and get it straightened out, I'll hook you up with a few branches of hammer. Mine does quite well...

Thanks, I'll let you know when its all good again.
I'm pretty sure its a nitrate spike, but I cant figure out why unless its from changing over my sump, thats when I started getting algea growth. Its actually gone up since the first water change. I have barely fed the tank. It did come down some since my water change today. Hope it comes down and stays down with a couple more water changes.

 

[Hawkeye]

rough going...i've seen that happen and it's frustrating! Thankfully these days lately my problem is similar to george's in that mine has grown and grown. I'll post up a Don't break the chain soon once I frag it. Mine is more branching coral...not sure if george's is the wall type...looks like an afro....HAHAHAHA

 

[TanksNStuff]

Haha, yea it does. Although thats not a recent pic and I chopped part of the other side out to make room for other corals. I still have plenty to spare though.

Mine is branching also.

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[ThatGuy]

So my Kh is crazy high. 350+ppm how do I lower it? I've been doing water changes to lower the nitrates(now under 20ppm) so I dont think that will work because its still so high. Is it something that might come down on its own over time or do I have to add something?

 

[TanksNStuff]

Wow! That sounds really high and I suspect that either you messed up the test and/or there's something wrong with your test kit.

I'd suggest taking a few more tests and maybe even bringing some sample water to your lfs to double check it.

If it really is that high, then you should review this article and follow the instructions:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/11/chemistry

If you need help converting the alk readings, use This calculator.

 

[ThatGuy]

Wow! That sounds really high and I suspect that either you messed up the test and/or there's something wrong with your test kit.

I'd suggest taking a few more tests and maybe even bringing some sample water to your lfs to double check it.

If it really is that high, then you should review this article and follow the instructions:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/11/chemistry

If you need help converting the alk readings, use This calculator.

I'm using the api test kit. Maybe I read the directions wrong. I'll do over and see if its any better.

 

[downbeach]

If I were you, I'd get either the Salifert kits for Ca, Alk and Mg, or the new Red Sea reef foundation pro kits. I'd be very suspicious of your current kit, and get another test before starting anything to remedy any problems until you're sure of the test results.

 

[ThatGuy]

So it turnes out its the salt I'm using thats making it crazy high. I got my tank water tested(19) Tap Water(9) and freshly made up SW(20). I guess there is just to many buffers in the salt(MEI) I've been using and I've never noticed it until recently because I haven't tested for it. Any Suggestions on ways of lowering it would be appreciated.

Josh

 

[yh1185]

which salt are you using, and don't use Tap water, use RODI water from either a LFS, or buy an RODI unit. Trust me it'll save you headache of algae later on . Once you have the RODI water + Salt mixed just do some larger water changes, to get rid of the water you have in your tank already.

 

[mnat]

Water changes with RODI and regular salt to get it down would be the best way. If you can't get access to those, some calcium dosing would help but be very very careful with that because you can swing it the other way too quickly and hurt your tank. I know this from experience.