Grading hammer corals

[Kalixa9]

I'm a total hammer newbie, so bear with me. What makes a hammer high-grade, anyway? Is it the colour? I've seen some hammers with two colours, does that make them better than the ones with just one colour?

[felinxo]

I'm a total hammer newbie, so bear with me. What makes a hammer high-grade, anyway? Is it the colour? I've seen some hammers with two colours, does that make them better than the ones with just one colour?

Colors are indeed the primary factor in grading hammers. For instance, a green hammer can be considered a grade A, whereas a vibrant or toxic green may signify an Ultra grade. In my experience, I'd advise exercising caution when it comes to the pricier options - not necessarily because they're better or worse, but rather due to the fact that wall hammers have an alarmingly high mortality rate of around 90%.

[Kalixa9]

To be honest, I had no idea there were different types and just assumed any hammer would do for a beginner. I went ahead and bought a wall hammer, but I'm not holding my breath that it'll last long.

[nixora]

Don't lose hope just yet, I've seen people have good luck with wall hammers too, they can last a pretty long time if you're careful.

[flame9x]

Wall hammers can be tough to maintain, but with stable parameters, you've got a fighting chance. I've found that if you catch a corner dying early, taking it out for treatment immediately can make all the difference - if you don't, the whole thing can go downhill fast. In my experience, branching hammers are generally easier to work with.