Deflating Hammer Coral

lkingsbury · 12-11-2008, 11:16 PM

I have a hammer that stays inflated about 30 min than deflates than 3o min or so later comes back to "life" but not happy looking at all, Nitrate, nitrite, and amonnia are 0, ph 7.8 my salinity is high, at 35 ppt 1.025 , it was 40 ppt this morning... oops! the flow on it is high and its under the filter as well high up in the Aquarium, I have a 36 gallon tank with 3 other corals. I have 3, 65 watt 50/50 corallifes on 10 hrs a day. I will post pics tomorow, thank you for your help!

twoclowns · 12-12-2008, 01:10 AM

I have a ton of hammers both branching and plating and they like a medium to slower current not high current it causes the tissue to tear and agitates them. I'd try slowing the current around it. Hope this helps they are a great coral just hard finding healthy ones and if you notice tissue starting to recess a dip in lugols and seawater helps stop the tissue loss caused by protozoan. Some times it takes multiple drippings and stronger then recommended. good luck

DaveK · 12-12-2008, 04:46 AM

It should also be pointed out that you pH is on the low side, and that corals do not like changes in SG. (Your water went from 40 ppt to 35 ppt)

Corals need excellent and stable water conditions to thrive.

I also concur with twoclowns post. Hammer corals do not like high flow.

BigAl07 · 12-12-2008, 07:47 AM

Ditto! Those SG swings are hard on everything in your tank except the Sand and Rock. You need to resolve that issue yesterday and watch your PH.... it's getting lower than I would personally want to see.

Hammers, Torch, and FroGSpawn are all very soft tissued animals and their tissue tears very easily. If they do get a tear then the dreaded "Brown Jelly Disease" (BJD) could be knocking on your door. This is a very fast acting infection that can spread through a colony and literally dissolve it in a day's time. If you see symptoms of this you'll want to dip and increase flow to help "slough" off the tissue but you'll have to act the same day... next day it's run it's course.

Good luck! Euphies are among my MOST favorite coral.

Allen

lkingsbury · 12-12-2008, 11:30 AM

Ok that sounds good I will change my flow and keep my SG level. What would you suggest to get the PH to like 8 or so? Ive been reading and some articles say moderate to heavy flow while others so light to moderate???? Anyways thank you I will get back with the progress and update thanks again!

CA Reefer · 12-12-2008, 11:56 AM

The normal trend for pH in a saltwater system is downward, or more acidic, which stems from the addition of acids into the aquarium. These acids come from several sources, the primary ones being: (1) excess carbon dioxide (CO2) from respiration caused by lack of sufficient gas exchange, (2) nitric acid from biological filtration (nitrification), and (3) organic acids from metabolic wastes.

Respiration and metabolic wastes are a natural part of the ocean, but the reason that sea water pH does not change is that the water contains a number of chemicals, such as bicarbonate, calcium, carbonate, borate and hydroxide, all of which act as natural "buffers" that retard the drop in pH.

When the pH in a saltwater system starts to drop, it is an indication that the buffers are getting worn out, and the increase in acidity needs to be corrected.

You did mention that you had increased flow which I assume was to improve gas exchange? Do you happen to have glass covers on your tank which could be impeding O2 exchange?

You'll likely need to add buffer to raise your Alk. but I would want to get a read on your calcium levels first. Can you measure your calcium levels and post those?

lkingsbury · 12-12-2008, 12:45 PM

I will get all the rest of the data after work. I do have an open top with about 12 inches to the bottom of the lights with a fan to cool it I keep the temp at 77. Will update on calcium levels after work, Thanks again everyone!

lkingsbury · 12-12-2008, 07:33 PM

Ok my Temp is 77 salinity is 35 ppt or SG is 1.025 nitrate 12.5 ammonia is 0 nitrite 0 ph 7.9 calcium is 340 PO4 is 0.25 anything would help i know that nitrate is high and calcium is low???

CA Reefer · 12-13-2008, 01:38 AM

Sorry forgot to ask you to also measure your Alk in the post above, Can you measure and post that result?

lkingsbury · 12-13-2008, 02:30 AM

the corals gone now i think my stuff seems balanced enough to where I will just see what happens if the coral cant hang in a tank with allright perameters than ?? what else can I do Servival of the fittest?

CA Reefer · 12-13-2008, 07:35 PM

Sorry to hear about your coral. Did the tissue just dissolve?

Based on the info you've give so far there's possibly still some work to be done to get your water parameters to where they should be. Currently both your Ph and Calcium are on the low side.

Here's what you should be aiming for

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate <0.2ppm
Salinity 35ppt or sg 1.026
Calcium 380 - 450
Alkalinity 7-11 dKH
Magnesium 1250 - 1350

lkingsbury · 12-14-2008, 10:52 AM

Ok thanks!! Should I just do PH up, and the drip for calcium?? Thanks

CA Reefer · 12-14-2008, 06:48 PM

Not sure what the PH up product is that you are referring to....I would use a good buffer such as Kent or Seachem to raise your PH.

It would be helpful if you can post your Alk and and Mg if you have a Mg test kit so we can assist you to SLOWLY get your parameters back in check.

When you mention the drip....I'm assuming that you are referring to Kalkwasser for raising your calcium?

12-11-2008, 11:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
lkingsbury Tunicate Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Corpus Christi Texas Posts: 10 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Deflating Hammer Coral I have a hammer that stays inflated about 30 min than deflates than 3o min or so later comes back to "life" but not happy looking at all, Nitrate, nitrite, and amonnia are 0, ph 7.8 my salinity is high, at 35 ppt 1.025 , it was 40 ppt this morning... oops! the flow on it is high and its under the filter as well high up in the Aquarium, I have a 36 gallon tank with 3 other corals. I have 3, 65 watt 50/50 corallifes on 10 hrs a day. I will post pics tomorow, thank you for your help! __________________ Forgive Someone Today!

12-12-2008, 01:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
twoclowns Limpet Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Rochester and Somersworth, NH Posts: 125 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Deflating Hammer Coral I have a ton of hammers both branching and plating and they like a medium to slower current not high current it causes the tissue to tear and agitates them. I'd try slowing the current around it. Hope this helps they are a great coral just hard finding healthy ones and if you notice tissue starting to recess a dip in lugols and seawater helps stop the tissue loss caused by protozoan. Some times it takes multiple drippings and stronger then recommended. good luck __________________ Proud Member of the 200+ club, have upgraded from 125 with 30 refugium, to a 215 reef with 125 sump/frag/refugium and 30 tall refugium. 370g system. And a separate 125g zebra moray tank Down the road hope to be a member of the 800+ club My name is Keith and I'm a addict, reefing is so much fun!

12-12-2008, 04:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
DaveK Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Philadelpahia, PA Posts: 999 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Deflating Hammer Coral It should also be pointed out that you pH is on the low side, and that corals do not like changes in SG. (Your water went from 40 ppt to 35 ppt) Corals need excellent and stable water conditions to thrive. I also concur with twoclowns post. Hammer corals do not like high flow.

12-12-2008, 11:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
lkingsbury Tunicate Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Corpus Christi Texas Posts: 10 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Deflating Hammer Coral Ok that sounds good I will change my flow and keep my SG level. What would you suggest to get the PH to like 8 or so? Ive been reading and some articles say moderate to heavy flow while others so light to moderate???? Anyways thank you I will get back with the progress and update thanks again! __________________ Forgive Someone Today!

12-12-2008, 11:56 AM	#6 (permalink)
CA Reefer Midas Blenny Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 101 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Deflating Hammer Coral The normal trend for pH in a saltwater system is downward, or more acidic, which stems from the addition of acids into the aquarium. These acids come from several sources, the primary ones being: (1) excess carbon dioxide (CO2) from respiration caused by lack of sufficient gas exchange, (2) nitric acid from biological filtration (nitrification), and (3) organic acids from metabolic wastes. Respiration and metabolic wastes are a natural part of the ocean, but the reason that sea water pH does not change is that the water contains a number of chemicals, such as bicarbonate, calcium, carbonate, borate and hydroxide, all of which act as natural "buffers" that retard the drop in pH. When the pH in a saltwater system starts to drop, it is an indication that the buffers are getting worn out, and the increase in acidity needs to be corrected. You did mention that you had increased flow which I assume was to improve gas exchange? Do you happen to have glass covers on your tank which could be impeding O2 exchange? You'll likely need to add buffer to raise your Alk. but I would want to get a read on your calcium levels first. Can you measure your calcium levels and post those?

12-12-2008, 12:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
lkingsbury Tunicate Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Corpus Christi Texas Posts: 10 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Deflating Hammer Coral I will get all the rest of the data after work. I do have an open top with about 12 inches to the bottom of the lights with a fan to cool it I keep the temp at 77. Will update on calcium levels after work, Thanks again everyone! __________________ Forgive Someone Today!

12-12-2008, 07:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
lkingsbury Tunicate Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Corpus Christi Texas Posts: 10 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Deflating Hammer Coral Ok my Temp is 77 salinity is 35 ppt or SG is 1.025 nitrate 12.5 ammonia is 0 nitrite 0 ph 7.9 calcium is 340 PO4 is 0.25 anything would help i know that nitrate is high and calcium is low??? __________________ Forgive Someone Today!

12-13-2008, 01:38 AM	#9 (permalink)
CA Reefer Midas Blenny Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 101 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Deflating Hammer Coral Sorry forgot to ask you to also measure your Alk in the post above, Can you measure and post that result?

12-13-2008, 02:30 AM	#10 (permalink)
lkingsbury Tunicate Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Corpus Christi Texas Posts: 10 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Deflating Hammer Coral the corals gone now i think my stuff seems balanced enough to where I will just see what happens if the coral cant hang in a tank with allright perameters than ?? what else can I do Servival of the fittest? __________________ Forgive Someone Today!

12-13-2008, 07:35 PM	#11 (permalink)
CA Reefer Midas Blenny Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 101 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Deflating Hammer Coral Sorry to hear about your coral. Did the tissue just dissolve? Based on the info you've give so far there's possibly still some work to be done to get your water parameters to where they should be. Currently both your Ph and Calcium are on the low side. Here's what you should be aiming for Ammonia 0 Nitrite 0 Nitrate <0.2ppm Salinity 35ppt or sg 1.026 Calcium 380 - 450 Alkalinity 7-11 dKH Magnesium 1250 - 1350

12-14-2008, 10:52 AM	#12 (permalink)
lkingsbury Tunicate Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Corpus Christi Texas Posts: 10 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Deflating Hammer Coral Ok thanks!! Should I just do PH up, and the drip for calcium?? Thanks __________________ Forgive Someone Today!

12-14-2008, 06:48 PM	#13 (permalink)
CA Reefer Midas Blenny Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 101 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Deflating Hammer Coral Not sure what the PH up product is that you are referring to....I would use a good buffer such as Kent or Seachem to raise your PH. It would be helpful if you can post your Alk and and Mg if you have a Mg test kit so we can assist you to SLOWLY get your parameters back in check. When you mention the drip....I'm assuming that you are referring to Kalkwasser for raising your calcium?

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