Problem with my hammer

[MarineSniper]

I purchased a hammer from the local lfs here in Columbus 2 1/2 weeks ago and it still refuses to open. It's alive and healthy, moves like crazy when I feed it, just refuses to open

I have it on the sand in medium flow under dual 250 watt MH. I've kept the halides off, cut the actinics in half and run them all at varying times, all to no success

All my water parameters are inline so it's not that. I've been out of the hobby for 30 years so I asked advise elsewhere and was told to keep it at the bottom but given the lack of progress, should I move it higher up?

Any advise would be appreciated. I have several other LPS corals, including a torch that are open and doing fine. It's time for this one to earn his keep!

 

[organism]

Sometimes they just take a bit to get used to the tank, or it could be that there's an issue with your tank that the other corals are used to and this one isn't. What are your parameters? Also, how are you measuring your salinity?

 

[Matthew91]

My lfs has success with there hammers in the mid top of the tank. You can always try that.

 

[organism]

That would be top of the list of bad ideas, if it's not fully opening do not under any circumstances put it under higher light.

 

[Matthew91]

I was just saying. Not enough lighting could be a factor in his situation. But Idk just my thought pattern

 

[organism]

Not enough lighting is not a factor when a coral isn't opening, too much lighting can be though. When there's not enough light they'll stretch or puff out and start browning, pretty much the opposite of not opening.

 

[Matthew91]

hmmmm that's interesting.. It worked for my ducan and it's thriving where it's at

 

[scapes]

if it stays retracted it could also be you have too much flow. they like a gentle breeze, not hurricane winds. you said medium flow, i'd decrease the flow

 

[hermesfansf]

You should totally attach a pic of your hammer, its very hard to tell whats wrong without seeing the pic. I have 3 different kinds of Aussie Hammers, they all like medium flow and medium light.

 

[Crkbaby]

I had a similar problem with a branching hammer it pretty much fell behind some rocks where there is next to no light and has been doing great since lol. but my wall hammers and other branching do fine under low/mid placement and lower flow. also have duel 250 watt MH.

 

[organism]

hmmmm that's interesting.. It worked for my ducan and it's thriving where it's at

If you don't believe me, put your duncan in the shade for a month and see what happens...

 

[Sk8r]

Hit the water parameters in my sig line and also run carbon for a week. That might help. Also, if it is 'downwind' in the current from any softie, get it 'earlier' in the current.