Branching Hammer Coral

[korbynlehr]

We have this coral that has 5 small quarter size heads on it. My wife is concerned because it hangs linp. The coral has all it's color but it just isn't perky like most other we see. We have had the coral for about 2 months.

Suggestions?

 

[Hormigaquatica]

what kind of lighting? ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, pH, dKH, Phosphate levels too..?

 

[korbynlehr]

Our lighting is avout 234 watts of T5 lighting.

Ph = 7.8 (trying to raise it)
Amonia = 0
Nitrites = 0
Nitrates = 0
Calcium = 400
Salinity 1.026

 

[Hormigaquatica]

The pH could have something to do with it; Euphyllias are sensitive to a depressed pH. I would also suggest that you get the KH and Phosphate levels checked out- both of those can indicate issues that will affect the Hammer as you described.

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8543540#post8543540 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by korbynlehr
Our lighting is avout 234 watts of T5 lighting.

Ph = 7.8 (trying to raise it)
Amonia = 0
Nitrites = 0
Nitrates = 0
Calcium = 400
Salinity 1.026

If your pH is that low, and your salinity reading is correct, that means either 1) you're running a Ca reactor, and using WAY too much CO2, or you have almost no alkalinity.


Alkalinity is WAY more important than calcium, IMO.

 

[korbynlehr]

I am not using a calcium reactor.
Too be honest I had never heard of doing anything for Alkalinity before signing up for this forum. I have just gotten my b-ionic concentrate in today have it mixed up and am waiting for the 24 hours is says to allow for the mix to ..well mix.
I plan on getting an alk test kit tomorrow as well so we will see before I dose where the Alk is and go from there.
Is there a good or bad time to add the Alk part of the b-ionic?

 

[The_Taz_Devil]

I would suggest dripping overnight.

 

[korbynlehr]

Okay I have gotten my wife's approval to hang a drip bag. The bottle says I should add 1 ml per 4 gallons which will equal out to 15 ml. Should I just add it to any top off water and drip that over night since 15 ml is fairly small amount?

 

[The_Taz_Devil]

Did you test your alkalinity first - its important to know where we are starting from here. Im not familiar with using b-ionic myself I use seachem products but I always drip the solution overnight (usually around a 500ml amount). Im just concerned your going to have it precipitate out straight away if you add it all at once. Again though check the instructions to see how its supposed to be added.

 

[korbynlehr]

Thanks for all the replies. I will message back when I get my test kits for alk.