Saving my Hammer

[SKurj]

When I got the hammer linked below it wasn't long before it was the size of a softball. Over time and due to my neglect he shrank, it almost seems like overnight at the end, but he shrivelled away to nothing.

I would accept any advice that might help me bring him back. I took the bottom off a 2L pop bottle to give him a bit of shelter from the flow, and when I feed the tank I cut the power heads to ensure some food gets down to him, but not sure what else I can do. (the pop bottle thing started only 2 days ago, the response so far seems positive..)

I have a branching frogspawn in the same tank that has grown during the time this hammer has shrunk, so at a bit of a loss.

The steps I have been taking to try and clean up from my neglect:
I am in the process of doing large water changes every 3 days of 25%+ and watching my alk levels. As a noob I didn't watch my kalk (in topoff) and the alk levels dropped and my nitrate levels went up to 80+ The nitrate level is now down around to around 40 (i have some new test kits enroute) and prior to this weekend I am planning a 75% or so water change.

Could the lighting be too much?

Before:

Now:

 

[upnext]

What is the film? On the second pic?

 

[upnext]

It could be from thou auto top off and alk.

 

[docbattysreef]

4 T5'S Is good lighting for LPS in a 40 Gallon tank. What are your Ca,.Alk and Mg levels?

 

[SKurj]

My last ALK reading was 9, sal 1.025 temp 80

I haven't taken a full set of readings in over a week as I have been doing the water changes. I'll check tonight. Hopefully my new test kits arrive.

I have another possible cause.. I have a dwarf pygmy cherub angel in the tank.. I am going to put some BRS mesh over that pop bottle and see what happens.. If the hammer comes back with any gusto, the finger is going to be pointing at the angel.


Film? There isn't a film on the coral apart from abit of green on the skeleton which i think is due to the high nutrients in the water. Could it be just looking through the plastic of the bottle?

 

[M007]

Sorry to say but that hammer is pretty much dead. N03 at 80 is pretty terminal, doubt you have a lighting issue. Your pigmy angel might be a problem but I have a few of them and they take no interest in my LPS, I figure they don't like getting stung. Sorry for your loss.

 

[SKurj]

Sorry to say but that hammer is pretty much dead. N03 at 80 is pretty terminal, doubt you have a lighting issue. Your pigmy angel might be a problem but I have a few of them and they take no interest in my LPS, I figure they don't like getting stung. Sorry for your loss.

Pretty much in agreement with you, but I have nothing to lose by trying to save it. I am surprised the frogspawn showed no ill effects (percieved anyways), its definitely loving the changes I have made and has had a growth spurt with the clean up, never seen it so big. I'll give the hammer a couple of weeks and if no signs of a comeback I will remove the extra measures like the pop bottle..

This weekend I am doing a 75%+ water change so we'll see what that brings.