sick hammer coral?

[g.mcclean]

:?: We have a pink hammer coral in our 46 gallon. It has been in the aquarium approx. 3 months. We added it when the set-up was about 4 months old and our water parameters had been stable for an extended period of time. Current parameters are:ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 20, alk 3.5, and calcium 350. Also ph is 8.0, and salinity 1.023. We keep the temp at 80 degrees. I am working on raising the calcium using B-Ionic 2 step system. We use well water for weekly water changes of about 4 gallons. The other day the polyps on one branch shriveled up and 24 hours later they fell off. We also have a green hammer and 2 gorgonia that don't seem to be having any difficulty. I don't see any of the inhabitants bothering the corals, but of course I don't watch 24-7. Any suggestions as to how to prevent this and insure their continued health would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Rlumenator]

I don't have an answere for you, however we are thinking of getting a hammer. How is it doing now?

 

[Len]

I'm a little concerned that your well water could have heavy metals or compounds that are toxins to inverts. But since your other corals are fine thus far, it might not be the case. It's really hard to ID these sort of problems. They could range from natural apoptosis (natural, "programmed" death of cells) to the coral being poisoned over time. Have you had your well water tested before?

 

[Mogo]

I also don't have an answer for you but fwiw my hammer went into decline a couple months after I got it. About a third of it died off. But after a year, the other two thirds took off, expanding rapidly. It is now easily double in size than when I got it. I also see some little tiny polyps growing in the dead area. So my advice- hang in there and see what happens. BTW my calcium is usually around 450.

 

[g.mcclean]

Thanks so much for the responses. Dawn, they appear to be doing fine now. They both have shown signs of adding new polyps. Only that one branch of polyps died and dropped off. I will attribute it to injury. Len, as soon as possible we hope to get a Ro/Di system. I fear our well water may be causing problems.