Hammer Coral Location

[Ursus]

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.

*EDIT: I forgot to mention 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>

Thanks.

 

[nmprisons]

tagging along as I am interested in the answer. that is a really attractive coral, can't wait to add one to my tank.

 

[Ursus]

Yeah, I really hope it's ok. The hammer has been my favorite coral since I saw one online.

 

[Ursus]

Also, it is expelling zooxanthellae. Should I try moving it lower into an area of reduced flow?

 

[papagimp]

Re: Hammer Coral Location

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8031909#post8031909 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ursus
*EDIT: I forgot to mention the lighting is 2 x 10w T5 (1 x 10k, 1 x actinic) and an 18w NO 50/50.

What size tank is this lighting over? I use 4 x 54 watt T5's over mine in a 55gallon and he looks stunning. I had him under 4 x 65 watt PC lighting and he looked like he wouldn't last a week. Also,
temp, salinity, alk, calcium, all these things matter too. If you're confident in the lighting and tank parameters you may just want to give him a minute to settle in.

 

[papagimp]

Oh, FYI, I've read somewhere the various Euphyllia expell zooanthelle on a daily basis, so long as he's not "bleaching" i wouldn't worry too much, My frogspawn does this every evening before he tucks himself in bed.

 

[db_triggerfish]

I am also tagging along. Plan to purchase one very soon.
Thanks,

 

[Asuran]

i purchased one two weeks so its under 250w 10K MH. its off to the side but gets some indirect flow from a seio 1500 and a MJ 1600 with a sweeper attachment so it has a nice wavey movement to it. I placed it about midway in my tank.

 

[paininthewrasse]

I have hammer coral, frogspawn, and torch coral.. The hammer coral is about half way up in the tank.. the frogspawn is a little higher, and the torch is in the sand..

They are all doing fine.. I run 2 175 watt MH 14000K over a 75 gallon tank..

As far as water flow.. If they're in to much flow, they wont open up.. I have a wavemaker and it hits my hammer and torch pretty good every minute for 15 seconds, and they're doing great.. I dont think, however that i'd place them in direct current constantly though..

 

[Ursus]

The lighting is over a 20 H. Last night I moved it onto the substrate and shaded the side of it that was bleaching. Also, I unplugged the T5's before I left for work so that they wouldn't come on today with the NO flourescent. When I arrived home, it looks a lot better. I turned on the T5's and will run them for 30 minutes today, 45 minutes tomorrow, and so on and so forth. My only concern now is for my GSP. Unless the T5's are on, it won't open fully and im concerned about starving it. I think it will be alright though.

 

[Confooseld]

Just FYI GSP's aren't worth worrying about they're really tough and not worth too much even if you lose em.

 

[Ursus]

I know, but I would like to avoid killing it.