Aussie Hammer receding/show skeleton

[Bayinaung]

Hi,

I got this hammer like 2 weeks ago, and this is what it looks like in my tank when new:

Then mid week this week I noticed it wasn't extending as usual.

tested water, and I have a nitrate spike! One change I had was, I had been ramping up my lights. The hammer was in the middle of the tank dead center to the lights.. I moved it to a corner of the tank where there's less light. I dosed carbon in the tank to reduce nitrates. Then yesterday evening I noticed the skeleton is showing on one side:

tried feeding it with tiny pellets. also mysis shrimp. don't know if they eat that.
This morning, the hammer is looking worse. It's as if the tentacles on the side where skeleton is showing are melting:

what can I do? coral rx?  iodine dip?  helpppppppppppppp. I love this coral.

 

[Bayinaung]

Nitrates were at 40ppm a few days ago. did sugar dosing to treat nitrates.

Just tested water.
Nitrates are 0 now
Phosphates 0

I'm going to turn OFF the skimmer now to prevent nutrition starvation. oh god please... don't let hammer die.

any ideas on how to treat it?  I think I'm going to do Coral RX dip for half hour, then iodine dip before putting it back in.

 

[unibob]

Dipping won't hurt. Something with iodine in it to help the wound.

 

[TORX]

Nitrates were my issue a while back. Only dropping them too quickly will cause a slow recovery and almost be harmful to them.

Also, dare I ask what kit you are using to test for nitrates/phosphates?

 

[Bayinaung]

don't hate me. API. got them at BA.

 

[TORX]

don't hate me. API. got them at BA.

Not hating you on it, they are just not as accurate. 0 phosphates just means less then 0.25 or close to 0.25 and Nitrate is less then 5ppm, not necessarily 0.

 

[Boga]

+1
Probalby the shock caused the issue. Did you check Alk and/or pH, before and after?

I have API and always showed zero for Phosphates. As Torx said it is not very acurate for low levels. Now I am using a different brand for Phosphates. And I will retire API for Nitrates soon.

I found API pH and Alk preety close to other tests, so I am still using them.

 

[TORX]

You may have some issues with some new corals in your system, taking a look around the hammer, there seems to be some other outstanding nutrient issues in your tank that you may want to address before putting out cash on more corals.

 

[Bayinaung]

Not hating you on it, they are just not as accurate. 0 phosphates just means less then 0.25 or close to 0.25 and Nitrate is less then 5ppm, not necessarily 0.

Ok thanks. I'll bring the skimmer back on and hope things stay good. I held off buying aussie gold torches.

 

[Bayinaung]

which brands would you recommend for phosphates, alk, nitrates? have heard of salifert a lot.

 

[AdInfinitum]

I have used various types of car on dosing everywhere from low maintenance levels to massive levels and in my experience many LPS react poorly to carbon dosing in general or take some time to adapt. 

Of the choices sugar is definitely the riskiest.  Vinegar and vodka are generally much safer, with vinegar being the least concentrated carbon source with added benefits from the acetate ions.

In my system with probably 160-180 gallons of water volume (180 tank+75 sump 2/3full) one teaspoon of sugar will cause a visible bacteria bloom where it takes close to a full cup of vinegar to cause the same reaction.  So, much greater margin for error with the more dilute carbon source.

 

[Bayinaung]

interesting. I did NOT know that LPS had that reaction. SPS aren't reacting. Yes I noticed pectina also not liking the change. I'll switch to vinegar from now on. but I hope I won't have a nitrate spike again. Coincidentally Just prior to this a sand dwelling anemone (doresnsis of some sort) released sperm or larvae. Just not sure if that contributed to anything.