Hammer and torch coral won't open

[gaby_scan]

Hello all, i've been trying to see why these 2 corals just won't completely open, i have changed them all around the tank with the same result and tbh i am out of ideas and need some suggestions here...my parameters are in check too i believe,so idk why they won't open.they been in the tank approximately 6 months. Tank is about 8 months old.

Ammonia-0
Phosphate-0.02
Nitrates-3ppm
Calcium-480
Alk-11

 

[mattgumaer]

Usually, if mine won't open, it's a question of flow. How much flow do you have? Do you have other flow sensitive LPS in the area that are fully extended? You might try turning down the flow overall and putting the corals in a spot with little flow to see if that helps. Nothing about your listed parameters raises any concern.

Matt

 

[gaby_scan]

Yes I lowered my gyre and they are already in the area where there is less flow on the tank...the hammer doesn't have any lps close but the torch has a bubble coral close but not that close, the torch sometimes opens more but it just goes back to not being fully opened in a small timeframe, the hammer does not open at all, just a bit.

 

[nor.cal2000]

What are the rest of your parameters? Temp, ph, mag? I agree with the flow but my torches and hammers aren't super picky, though they don't really want direct high flow.

 

[nereefpat]

Tell us specifics on your lighting. Specific fixture, settings, tank dimensions, coral placement under lights.

I would let the alkalinity drop to 9 or below.

 

[gaby_scan]

What are the rest of your parameters? Temp, ph, mag? I agree with the flow but my torches and hammers aren't super picky, though they don't really want direct high flow.

Temp consistently at 78°, ph last time check was 8.0 and magnesium haven't tested in a while. Have to do it

 

[gaby_scan]

Tell us specifics on your lighting. Specific fixture, settings, tank dimensions, coral placement under lights.

I would let the alkalinity drop to 9 or below.

Fixture is a dsuny(lookalike black box) my whites run at 25% max and blues at 60% last channel runs at 20%. Tank is a 75g 48x21x18. Coral placement like i said i have put them all around the tank, meaning sand with low light Middle of the rock work medium light etc. I have other corals on the tank that look very happy. Xenias, orange ricordea, hairy mushroom, star polyps, blastomusa, bubble coral. Only my torch and hammer don't look all that happy. It's funny because i had a 46g bow front years ago and didn't do the husbandry i do on this tank and my corals grew 10 times faster, go figure. Also i had tried to drop my alk with no success, any tips? Thanks

 

[Potsy]

Stop moving them around. Put them in a lower flow area down toward the sandbed and leave them there for a few weeks. If conditions are right, they'll adapt and expand.

My first reef tank from 2001 - 2006 likely had off the chart nutrients from a lack of husbandry (newborn daughter) and corals grew like weeds. Your 46g bow reef likely benefited from the lack of tinkering and available organics.