Australian hammer dying...

[kiLLscaLLion]

My hammer has not been looking good recently. It was fine for a couple of weeks when I bought it about a month ago, but lately has been thriveled and I noticed some bare skeleton on the side. My parameters seem to be normal, with ammonia, nitrite and nitrate all zero. My calcium is a little low at 350-400 mg / lt. My pH is 8.3.

Not sure what is wrong. Could it be flow? It's in a medium flow area at the bottom of my tank. I have a Red Sea Max 130D tank so it has the standard [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]2x 55w 50/50 10,000k & Actinic T5 Power compact lamps. Everything else in my tank (LTA, maxima clam, golden torches, etc.) looks fine...

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[skene]

alk? mag? maybe it's not happy where it is?

 

[ryangrieder]

Try placing it somewhere new. Take it out of the sand and put higher up in rock work...

 

[FlexLuthor]

I agree with ryan.
Anytime u want to frag a head please let me know!

 

[ryangrieder]

I agree with ryan.
Anytime u want to frag a head please let me know!

I don't think that's a branching hammer. Looks like a solid base.

 

[Mattl22]

Put it in a place with the least flow

 

[MIKE NY]

also try feeding it...all my LPS perk right up after eating.

 

[fishman1069]

I had a wall hammer that died because of alk swings. Whats your alk at? And how long has it been there?

 

[nycpuffer]

fishman is right Alk swings i favor that guess ......

 

[kiLLscaLLion]

Mystery solved...turns out my API nitrate test kit is completely off and was given me zero readings when my nitrates are actually at disgustingly high levels. Alkalinity swings may have something to do with it too. I've been dosing alkalinity but have neglected to do it everyday.

Just did a 35% water change and bought a Pura NitrateLock. Also moved the hammer to an area with lower flow. Hopefully it recovers.

 

[FlexLuthor]

doesnt look like a wall hammer though.
Lps are pretty hardy.....Mine are doing well and I have no idead what I'm doing

 

[sillysidewinder]

Is it me, or does that skeleton look extremely similar to that of a bubble coral?