Hammer Coral Help!

[Ursus]

*Posted this in the LPS forums, but not getting much of a response*

I purchased my first LPS yesterday, a pink hammer that is about 5-6" long. Yesterday it looked really good after introducing it to the tank, but then deflated slightly towards the evening. Today he is still not fully expanded.

The lighting is 2 x 10w T5 (1 x 10k, 1 x actinic) and an 18w NO 50/50.

First, a lot of people suggest placing hammer's on the substrate. Could this help him feel more at home? Currently he is propped up on some base rock about 3" off the sand.

Secondly, how much flow is too much for hammers?

Should I just give it some time to adjust to it's new settings and stop worrying about it?

Here's a picture of it yesterday before it deflated slightly.

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/xexhalex/h4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

Also, it began expelling zooxanthellae yesterday after my power blinked on and off, and is continuing to do so today. The left side is noticably lighter and clearer in color. Any suggestions?

 

[Snowboarder2757]

did you acclimate it, and if so how long? Hammer corals are good subjects of water chemistry, so maybe check your parameters. Every now and then mine will deflate at night and then be perfectly fine the next day. But hammers prefer medium current. I wouldnt worry yet. Let us know what happens

 

[Sk8r]

If it's dumping zooxanths, I think it's probably in brighter light than it's used to and it's getting an overload. Try to put at least part of it in a shady nook before it loses its color.

They like a moderate, chaotic flow: if their tentacles toss about a bit, they're able to feed efficiently. Not enough to blow them sideways. I've found a Sea Swirl's action absolutely ideal for the euphyllians.

PS: they can touch frog and torch and even green-stripe and purple mushrooms with no trouble; just don't let other stonies like bubble get in range.

 

[cristhiam]

You could shade it a little I have the same kind of hammer you have and mine took a while to adjust I have mine in a shaded part of the tank. Still not too happy but I have it for about two years. It's not a branching hammer.

 

[Ursus]

I drip acclimated it for a little over an hour. Water params are fine other than nitrates at 5ppm, but thats how they have always been.

I'll move it into the shade partially and lower it. It was under 2 VHO tubes in about 6" of water at the LFS and now its about 12" under with the T5's above it. Would turning on the T5's for only a few hours, then slowly leaving them on longer and longer help any?

 

[TKByrnes]

it has only been a day leave it alone for a couple days. I have a branching hammer and he took a couple days to open fully. if you start to see the bare skelleton then worry. or if it hasn't came out in 3 or 4 days you can worry.

 

[Ursus]

I can see the skelton around the edges a little. The thing im concerned about is the expelling of zooxanthellae.