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What's going on with my hammer coral?:/. Had it for 2 weeks now and it's been at the bottom on the sand bed, away from direct high flow.

My parameters are:
PH's at 8.2
Salinity's 1.025
All the other levels are 0s

It's been like that since I got it, but I did just move it. It's possible it's still adjusting to the new spot - maybe more light or different water flow is affecting it. I've been reading up on coral care, like this article from Advanced Aquarist, and I'm wondering if I'm missing something.

No, it wasn't always like that. I remember seeing it at the LFS and it was fully extended, tentacles super long. That's how it was for the first couple days after I got it home. But then it started retracting them more and more each day. That's why I ended up moving it, I figured it just wasn't a fan of the original spot.

Honestly, it's not looking good - the hammer's basically just a flat, lifeless shape now. I think it's a lost cause, unfortunately.

Honestly, I think it's a goner, looks pretty lifeless to me.

Wall hammers - not exactly known for their longevity in aquariums. I've heard it's something like 80% of them don't make it.

fleeton wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 3:00 am Wall hammers - not exactly known for their longevity in aquariums. I've heard it's something like 80% of them don't make it.

So an 80% mortality rate for wall hammers, even in a well-established tank. That's pretty concerning. What about other types of corals, like frogspawn - do they have similar issues?

I'm not an expert, but it seems to me that the main issue with walls is the exposed tissue when they're cut or fragged, making them more prone to disease and deterioration. I'm sure there are people who've had success with wall hammers and frogspawn. Good success with them probably comes down to having a healthy, healed wall coral in a well-maintained aquarium.

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foxrun wrote: ↑Fri Feb 07, 2025 9:23 pm What's going on with my hammer coral?:/. Had it for 2 weeks now and it's been at the bottom on the sand bed, away from direct high flow.

My parameters are:
PH's at 8.2
Salinity's 1.025
All the other levels are 0s

Wall hammers are notoriously finicky, and long-term success with them is rare. Your tank's parameters look fine, but that's not the issue - it's the coral itself. I've heard the mortality rate is actually around 90%, which is pretty steep.