Hammer Coral

[Brian Kramer]

I purchased what I was told was a torch coral, but I am pretty sure it
is a hammer coral. A torch coral has anemone like tentacle where the
hammer and the one I have has little hammer like endings on the
tentacles.

My question, what exactly is moderate water movement and moderate
lighting. This is my first coral in a while. Had a 125 g about 10
years ago.

I have 175w 5500k mh and 2 vho actinics...

I put the coral in the middle of the tank depth wise.

As for current, I have a scwd hooked up to a 3mqdx little giant pump.
Probably running at 3/4 thorughput on output (throttled by ballvalve)
and with the elbows and such and the scwd it's probably running at
around 500-600 gph across the length of the tank back and forth. The
coral is below the main current...I see the tentacle swaying fairly
consistently but not forcefully.

I think this is moderate, but it is so subjective.

[Dragon Slayer]

it's quite common for people to use 'torch' as a common name for branching
hammers and even frogspawn. guess to each his own.

you'll notice if the flow around it is to strong that it will not open up
fully and will be blown around quite a bit. from what you describe you have
it in what it needs, which are non forceful motions.

kc



"Brian Kramer" > wrote in message
om...
> I purchased what I was told was a torch coral, but I am pretty sure it
> is a hammer coral. A torch coral has anemone like tentacle where the
> hammer and the one I have has little hammer like endings on the
> tentacles.
>
> My question, what exactly is moderate water movement and moderate
> lighting. This is my first coral in a while. Had a 125 g about 10
> years ago.
>
> I have 175w 5500k mh and 2 vho actinics...
>
> I put the coral in the middle of the tank depth wise.
>
> As for current, I have a scwd hooked up to a 3mqdx little giant pump.
> Probably running at 3/4 thorughput on output (throttled by ballvalve)
> and with the elbows and such and the scwd it's probably running at
> around 500-600 gph across the length of the tank back and forth. The
> coral is below the main current...I see the tentacle swaying fairly
> consistently but not forcefully.
>
> I think this is moderate, but it is so subjective.

[Dragon Slayer]

it's quite common for people to use 'torch' as a common name for branching
hammers and even frogspawn. guess to each his own.

you'll notice if the flow around it is to strong that it will not open up
fully and will be blown around quite a bit. from what you describe you have
it in what it needs, which are non forceful motions.

kc



"Brian Kramer" > wrote in message
om...
> I purchased what I was told was a torch coral, but I am pretty sure it
> is a hammer coral. A torch coral has anemone like tentacle where the
> hammer and the one I have has little hammer like endings on the
> tentacles.
>
> My question, what exactly is moderate water movement and moderate
> lighting. This is my first coral in a while. Had a 125 g about 10
> years ago.
>
> I have 175w 5500k mh and 2 vho actinics...
>
> I put the coral in the middle of the tank depth wise.
>
> As for current, I have a scwd hooked up to a 3mqdx little giant pump.
> Probably running at 3/4 thorughput on output (throttled by ballvalve)
> and with the elbows and such and the scwd it's probably running at
> around 500-600 gph across the length of the tank back and forth. The
> coral is below the main current...I see the tentacle swaying fairly
> consistently but not forcefully.
>
> I think this is moderate, but it is so subjective.

[Dragon Slayer]

it's quite common for people to use 'torch' as a common name for branching
hammers and even frogspawn. guess to each his own.

you'll notice if the flow around it is to strong that it will not open up
fully and will be blown around quite a bit. from what you describe you have
it in what it needs, which are non forceful motions.

kc



"Brian Kramer" > wrote in message
om...
> I purchased what I was told was a torch coral, but I am pretty sure it
> is a hammer coral. A torch coral has anemone like tentacle where the
> hammer and the one I have has little hammer like endings on the
> tentacles.
>
> My question, what exactly is moderate water movement and moderate
> lighting. This is my first coral in a while. Had a 125 g about 10
> years ago.
>
> I have 175w 5500k mh and 2 vho actinics...
>
> I put the coral in the middle of the tank depth wise.
>
> As for current, I have a scwd hooked up to a 3mqdx little giant pump.
> Probably running at 3/4 thorughput on output (throttled by ballvalve)
> and with the elbows and such and the scwd it's probably running at
> around 500-600 gph across the length of the tank back and forth. The
> coral is below the main current...I see the tentacle swaying fairly
> consistently but not forcefully.
>
> I think this is moderate, but it is so subjective.

[Marc Levenson]

It sounds like your current is fine, but your lighting could be a problem. How
deep is the coral from your lights? 175w isn't a lot, and if your tank is
relatively deep it may be too far from the light.

A good technique it to start a coral lower in the tank and move it up gradually
every few days.

Btw, 5500K isn't a good bulb for reef keeping. 6500K or higher would be better,
as it avoids fueling algae growth. Maybe you just typed it wrongly?

Marc


Brian Kramer wrote:

> I purchased what I was told was a torch coral, but I am pretty sure it
> is a hammer coral. A torch coral has anemone like tentacle where the
> hammer and the one I have has little hammer like endings on the
> tentacles.
>
> My question, what exactly is moderate water movement and moderate
> lighting. This is my first coral in a while. Had a 125 g about 10
> years ago.
>
> I have 175w 5500k mh and 2 vho actinics...
>
> I put the coral in the middle of the tank depth wise.
>
> As for current, I have a scwd hooked up to a 3mqdx little giant pump.
> Probably running at 3/4 thorughput on output (throttled by ballvalve)
> and with the elbows and such and the scwd it's probably running at
> around 500-600 gph across the length of the tank back and forth. The
> coral is below the main current...I see the tentacle swaying fairly
> consistently but not forcefully.
>
> I think this is moderate, but it is so subjective.

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Brian Kramer]

It's not 175watt total, it's actually 175 w mh and 190 watts vho
total, so we're at 365 watts or almost 7 a gallon. I will be getting
a 6500 shortly.
The coral is about 6-8 inches from the surface.

Marc Levenson > wrote in message >...
> It sounds like your current is fine, but your lighting could be a problem. How
> deep is the coral from your lights? 175w isn't a lot, and if your tank is
> relatively deep it may be too far from the light.
>
> A good technique it to start a coral lower in the tank and move it up gradually
> every few days.
>
> Btw, 5500K isn't a good bulb for reef keeping. 6500K or higher would be better,
> as it avoids fueling algae growth. Maybe you just typed it wrongly?
>
> Marc
>
>
> Brian Kramer wrote:
>
> > I purchased what I was told was a torch coral, but I am pretty sure it
> > is a hammer coral. A torch coral has anemone like tentacle where the
> > hammer and the one I have has little hammer like endings on the
> > tentacles.
> >
> > My question, what exactly is moderate water movement and moderate
> > lighting. This is my first coral in a while. Had a 125 g about 10
> > years ago.
> >
> > I have 175w 5500k mh and 2 vho actinics...
> >
> > I put the coral in the middle of the tank depth wise.
> >
> > As for current, I have a scwd hooked up to a 3mqdx little giant pump.
> > Probably running at 3/4 thorughput on output (throttled by ballvalve)
> > and with the elbows and such and the scwd it's probably running at
> > around 500-600 gph across the length of the tank back and forth. The
> > coral is below the main current...I see the tentacle swaying fairly
> > consistently but not forcefully.
> >
> > I think this is moderate, but it is so subjective.

[Marc Levenson]

I was referring only to the MH bulb itself, actually. 6 to 8" from the surface, plus
(approx) 9" from the surface to the bulb, right? That should be okay.

Marc


Brian Kramer wrote:

> It's not 175watt total, it's actually 175 w mh and 190 watts vho
> total, so we're at 365 watts or almost 7 a gallon. I will be getting
> a 6500 shortly.
> The coral is about 6-8 inches from the surface.
>
> Marc Levenson > wrote in message >...
> > It sounds like your current is fine, but your lighting could be a problem. How
> > deep is the coral from your lights? 175w isn't a lot, and if your tank is
> > relatively deep it may be too far from the light.
> >
> > A good technique it to start a coral lower in the tank and move it up gradually
> > every few days.
> >
> > Btw, 5500K isn't a good bulb for reef keeping. 6500K or higher would be better,
> > as it avoids fueling algae growth. Maybe you just typed it wrongly?
> >
> > Marc
> >
> >
> > Brian Kramer wrote:
> >
> > > I purchased what I was told was a torch coral, but I am pretty sure it
> > > is a hammer coral. A torch coral has anemone like tentacle where the
> > > hammer and the one I have has little hammer like endings on the
> > > tentacles.
> > >
> > > My question, what exactly is moderate water movement and moderate
> > > lighting. This is my first coral in a while. Had a 125 g about 10
> > > years ago.
> > >
> > > I have 175w 5500k mh and 2 vho actinics...
> > >
> > > I put the coral in the middle of the tank depth wise.
> > >
> > > As for current, I have a scwd hooked up to a 3mqdx little giant pump.
> > > Probably running at 3/4 thorughput on output (throttled by ballvalve)
> > > and with the elbows and such and the scwd it's probably running at
> > > around 500-600 gph across the length of the tank back and forth. The
> > > coral is below the main current...I see the tentacle swaying fairly
> > > consistently but not forcefully.
> > >
> > > I think this is moderate, but it is so subjective.

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Brian Kramer]

Hmmm, don't the vho bulbs provide necessary light as well and
contribute to the lighting amount for the corals?

Any recommendations on a 175w 10k bulb that will work with a standard
mh balast? How often should my vho and mh bulbs be replaced?


Marc Levenson > wrote in message >...
> I was referring only to the MH bulb itself, actually. 6 to 8" from the surface, plus
> (approx) 9" from the surface to the bulb, right? That should be okay.
>
> Marc
>
>
> Brian Kramer wrote:
>
> > It's not 175watt total, it's actually 175 w mh and 190 watts vho
> > total, so we're at 365 watts or almost 7 a gallon. I will be getting
> > a 6500 shortly.
> > The coral is about 6-8 inches from the surface.
> >
> > Marc Levenson > wrote in message >...
> > > It sounds like your current is fine, but your lighting could be a problem. How
> > > deep is the coral from your lights? 175w isn't a lot, and if your tank is
> > > relatively deep it may be too far from the light.
> > >
> > > A good technique it to start a coral lower in the tank and move it up gradually
> > > every few days.
> > >
> > > Btw, 5500K isn't a good bulb for reef keeping. 6500K or higher would be better,
> > > as it avoids fueling algae growth. Maybe you just typed it wrongly?
> > >
> > > Marc
> > >
> > >
> > > Brian Kramer wrote:
> > >
> > > > I purchased what I was told was a torch coral, but I am pretty sure it
> > > > is a hammer coral. A torch coral has anemone like tentacle where the
> > > > hammer and the one I have has little hammer like endings on the
> > > > tentacles.
> > > >
> > > > My question, what exactly is moderate water movement and moderate
> > > > lighting. This is my first coral in a while. Had a 125 g about 10
> > > > years ago.
> > > >
> > > > I have 175w 5500k mh and 2 vho actinics...
> > > >
> > > > I put the coral in the middle of the tank depth wise.
> > > >
> > > > As for current, I have a scwd hooked up to a 3mqdx little giant pump.
> > > > Probably running at 3/4 thorughput on output (throttled by ballvalve)
> > > > and with the elbows and such and the scwd it's probably running at
> > > > around 500-600 gph across the length of the tank back and forth. The
> > > > coral is below the main current...I see the tentacle swaying fairly
> > > > consistently but not forcefully.
> > > >
> > > > I think this is moderate, but it is so subjective.

[Boomer]

Lets clarify this as I'm sure it is getting confusing for you.



Euphyllia ancora = Hammer or Anchor coral and has "hammer-like" tips. This coral dose not
have branches.

Euphyllia glabrescenes = Torch, Branching Hammer. This coral has branches, like a tree.
The ends maybe either hammer like or rounded. It is also more pom-pom looking or has a
torch look to it

Euphyllia parancora = Branching Hammer. Another one with branches. The tips are almost
always hammer shaped

Euphyllia divisa = Frog Spawn, as it resembles frog spawn.The tentacles have little color
with darker green tips so the tips look like they are suspended in air from a distance

Euphyllia paravisa = Branching Frog spawn, again it has branches


--
Boomer

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Please Join Our Growing Membership
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If You See Me Running You Better Catch-Up
"Brian Kramer" > wrote in message
om...
: I purchased what I was told was a torch coral, but I am pretty sure it
: is a hammer coral. A torch coral has anemone like tentacle where the
: hammer and the one I have has little hammer like endings on the
: tentacles.
:
: My question, what exactly is moderate water movement and moderate
: lighting. This is my first coral in a while. Had a 125 g about 10
: years ago.
:
: I have 175w 5500k mh and 2 vho actinics...
:
: I put the coral in the middle of the tank depth wise.
:
: As for current, I have a scwd hooked up to a 3mqdx little giant pump.
: Probably running at 3/4 thorughput on output (throttled by ballvalve)
: and with the elbows and such and the scwd it's probably running at
: around 500-600 gph across the length of the tank back and forth. The
: coral is below the main current...I see the tentacle swaying fairly
: consistently but not forcefully.
:
: I think this is moderate, but it is so subjective.

[Boomer]

I forgot, you lighting is fine. Change the VHO every 6 months and the MH every 8-14
months. Also many people get way to carried away with this Kelvin temp issue. Intensity
rules by far, as long as it is within a descent K range

--
Boomer

Want to talk chemistry ? The Reef Chemistry Forum
http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/index.php

Want to See More ?
Please Join Our Growing Membership
www.coralrealm.com

If You See Me Running You Better Catch-Up
"Brian Kramer" > wrote in message
om...
: I purchased what I was told was a torch coral, but I am pretty sure it
: is a hammer coral. A torch coral has anemone like tentacle where the
: hammer and the one I have has little hammer like endings on the
: tentacles.
:
: My question, what exactly is moderate water movement and moderate
: lighting. This is my first coral in a while. Had a 125 g about 10
: years ago.
:
: I have 175w 5500k mh and 2 vho actinics...
:
: I put the coral in the middle of the tank depth wise.
:
: As for current, I have a scwd hooked up to a 3mqdx little giant pump.
: Probably running at 3/4 thorughput on output (throttled by ballvalve)
: and with the elbows and such and the scwd it's probably running at
: around 500-600 gph across the length of the tank back and forth. The
: coral is below the main current...I see the tentacle swaying fairly
: consistently but not forcefully.
:
: I think this is moderate, but it is so subjective.

[Marc Levenson]

Yes, but again, I was focusing on the MH bulb. That is your intensity. The VHO's are like a
colorful dessert. <Grin> They are just as important, but my focus wasn't on them.

MH bulbs are good for 12 months, VHO for 6 months.

Ushio works with many ballasts, and are reliable.

Marc


Brian Kramer wrote:

> Hmmm, don't the vho bulbs provide necessary light as well and
> contribute to the lighting amount for the corals?
>
> Any recommendations on a 175w 10k bulb that will work with a standard
> mh balast? How often should my vho and mh bulbs be replaced?
>
> Marc Levenson > wrote in message >...
> > I was referring only to the MH bulb itself, actually. 6 to 8" from the surface, plus
> > (approx) 9" from the surface to the bulb, right? That should be okay.
> >
> > Marc
> >
> >
> > Brian Kramer wrote:
> >
> > > It's not 175watt total, it's actually 175 w mh and 190 watts vho
> > > total, so we're at 365 watts or almost 7 a gallon. I will be getting
> > > a 6500 shortly.
> > > The coral is about 6-8 inches from the surface.
> > >
> > > Marc Levenson > wrote in message >...
> > > > It sounds like your current is fine, but your lighting could be a problem. How
> > > > deep is the coral from your lights? 175w isn't a lot, and if your tank is
> > > > relatively deep it may be too far from the light.
> > > >
> > > > A good technique it to start a coral lower in the tank and move it up gradually
> > > > every few days.
> > > >
> > > > Btw, 5500K isn't a good bulb for reef keeping. 6500K or higher would be better,
> > > > as it avoids fueling algae growth. Maybe you just typed it wrongly?
> > > >
> > > > Marc
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Brian Kramer wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > I purchased what I was told was a torch coral, but I am pretty sure it
> > > > > is a hammer coral. A torch coral has anemone like tentacle where the
> > > > > hammer and the one I have has little hammer like endings on the
> > > > > tentacles.
> > > > >
> > > > > My question, what exactly is moderate water movement and moderate
> > > > > lighting. This is my first coral in a while. Had a 125 g about 10
> > > > > years ago.
> > > > >
> > > > > I have 175w 5500k mh and 2 vho actinics...
> > > > >
> > > > > I put the coral in the middle of the tank depth wise.
> > > > >
> > > > > As for current, I have a scwd hooked up to a 3mqdx little giant pump.
> > > > > Probably running at 3/4 thorughput on output (throttled by ballvalve)
> > > > > and with the elbows and such and the scwd it's probably running at
> > > > > around 500-600 gph across the length of the tank back and forth. The
> > > > > coral is below the main current...I see the tentacle swaying fairly
> > > > > consistently but not forcefully.
> > > > >
> > > > > I think this is moderate, but it is so subjective.

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Brian Kramer]

I've posted some pictures of the setup at http://pluto.njcc.com/~reef
The hammer coral is just to the left of center about a third of the
way down on the right.

Marc Levenson > wrote in message >...
> I was referring only to the MH bulb itself, actually. 6 to 8" from the surface, plus
> (approx) 9" from the surface to the bulb, right? That should be okay.
>
> Marc
>
>
> Brian Kramer wrote:
>
> > It's not 175watt total, it's actually 175 w mh and 190 watts vho
> > total, so we're at 365 watts or almost 7 a gallon. I will be getting
> > a 6500 shortly.
> > The coral is about 6-8 inches from the surface.
> >
> > Marc Levenson > wrote in message >...
> > > It sounds like your current is fine, but your lighting could be a problem. How
> > > deep is the coral from your lights? 175w isn't a lot, and if your tank is
> > > relatively deep it may be too far from the light.
> > >
> > > A good technique it to start a coral lower in the tank and move it up gradually
> > > every few days.
> > >
> > > Btw, 5500K isn't a good bulb for reef keeping. 6500K or higher would be better,
> > > as it avoids fueling algae growth. Maybe you just typed it wrongly?
> > >
> > > Marc
> > >
> > >
> > > Brian Kramer wrote:
> > >
> > > > I purchased what I was told was a torch coral, but I am pretty sure it
> > > > is a hammer coral. A torch coral has anemone like tentacle where the
> > > > hammer and the one I have has little hammer like endings on the
> > > > tentacles.
> > > >
> > > > My question, what exactly is moderate water movement and moderate
> > > > lighting. This is my first coral in a while. Had a 125 g about 10
> > > > years ago.
> > > >
> > > > I have 175w 5500k mh and 2 vho actinics...
> > > >
> > > > I put the coral in the middle of the tank depth wise.
> > > >
> > > > As for current, I have a scwd hooked up to a 3mqdx little giant pump.
> > > > Probably running at 3/4 thorughput on output (throttled by ballvalve)
> > > > and with the elbows and such and the scwd it's probably running at
> > > > around 500-600 gph across the length of the tank back and forth. The
> > > > coral is below the main current...I see the tentacle swaying fairly
> > > > consistently but not forcefully.
> > > >
> > > > I think this is moderate, but it is so subjective.

[Brian Kramer]

There are also two pictures under the picture gallery. Still really
closed up and can't figure out why. It's been in the tank since the
28th.
Though I did fiddle with it and move it yesterday.
Marc Levenson > wrote in message >...
> I was referring only to the MH bulb itself, actually. 6 to 8" from the surface, plus
> (approx) 9" from the surface to the bulb, right? That should be okay.
>
> Marc
>
>
> Brian Kramer wrote:
>
> > It's not 175watt total, it's actually 175 w mh and 190 watts vho
> > total, so we're at 365 watts or almost 7 a gallon. I will be getting
> > a 6500 shortly.
> > The coral is about 6-8 inches from the surface.
> >
> > Marc Levenson > wrote in message >...
> > > It sounds like your current is fine, but your lighting could be a problem. How
> > > deep is the coral from your lights? 175w isn't a lot, and if your tank is
> > > relatively deep it may be too far from the light.
> > >
> > > A good technique it to start a coral lower in the tank and move it up gradually
> > > every few days.
> > >
> > > Btw, 5500K isn't a good bulb for reef keeping. 6500K or higher would be better,
> > > as it avoids fueling algae growth. Maybe you just typed it wrongly?
> > >
> > > Marc
> > >
> > >
> > > Brian Kramer wrote:
> > >
> > > > I purchased what I was told was a torch coral, but I am pretty sure it
> > > > is a hammer coral. A torch coral has anemone like tentacle where the
> > > > hammer and the one I have has little hammer like endings on the
> > > > tentacles.
> > > >
> > > > My question, what exactly is moderate water movement and moderate
> > > > lighting. This is my first coral in a while. Had a 125 g about 10
> > > > years ago.
> > > >
> > > > I have 175w 5500k mh and 2 vho actinics...
> > > >
> > > > I put the coral in the middle of the tank depth wise.
> > > >
> > > > As for current, I have a scwd hooked up to a 3mqdx little giant pump.
> > > > Probably running at 3/4 thorughput on output (throttled by ballvalve)
> > > > and with the elbows and such and the scwd it's probably running at
> > > > around 500-600 gph across the length of the tank back and forth. The
> > > > coral is below the main current...I see the tentacle swaying fairly
> > > > consistently but not forcefully.
> > > >
> > > > I think this is moderate, but it is so subjective.

[Marc Levenson]

It does take a few days for a coral to acclimate to a new home. Touching it delays things.
Let's give it time for now.

Marc


Brian Kramer wrote:

> There are also two pictures under the picture gallery. Still really
> closed up and can't figure out why. It's been in the tank since the
> 28th.
> Though I did fiddle with it and move it yesterday.
> Marc Levenson > wrote in message >...
> > I was referring only to the MH bulb itself, actually. 6 to 8" from the surface, plus
> > (approx) 9" from the surface to the bulb, right? That should be okay.
> >
> > Marc
> >
> >
> > Brian Kramer wrote:
> >
> > > It's not 175watt total, it's actually 175 w mh and 190 watts vho
> > > total, so we're at 365 watts or almost 7 a gallon. I will be getting
> > > a 6500 shortly.
> > > The coral is about 6-8 inches from the surface.
> > >
> > > Marc Levenson > wrote in message >...
> > > > It sounds like your current is fine, but your lighting could be a problem. How
> > > > deep is the coral from your lights? 175w isn't a lot, and if your tank is
> > > > relatively deep it may be too far from the light.
> > > >
> > > > A good technique it to start a coral lower in the tank and move it up gradually
> > > > every few days.
> > > >
> > > > Btw, 5500K isn't a good bulb for reef keeping. 6500K or higher would be better,
> > > > as it avoids fueling algae growth. Maybe you just typed it wrongly?
> > > >
> > > > Marc
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Brian Kramer wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > I purchased what I was told was a torch coral, but I am pretty sure it
> > > > > is a hammer coral. A torch coral has anemone like tentacle where the
> > > > > hammer and the one I have has little hammer like endings on the
> > > > > tentacles.
> > > > >
> > > > > My question, what exactly is moderate water movement and moderate
> > > > > lighting. This is my first coral in a while. Had a 125 g about 10
> > > > > years ago.
> > > > >
> > > > > I have 175w 5500k mh and 2 vho actinics...
> > > > >
> > > > > I put the coral in the middle of the tank depth wise.
> > > > >
> > > > > As for current, I have a scwd hooked up to a 3mqdx little giant pump.
> > > > > Probably running at 3/4 thorughput on output (throttled by ballvalve)
> > > > > and with the elbows and such and the scwd it's probably running at
> > > > > around 500-600 gph across the length of the tank back and forth. The
> > > > > coral is below the main current...I see the tentacle swaying fairly
> > > > > consistently but not forcefully.
> > > > >
> > > > > I think this is moderate, but it is so subjective.

--
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[Brian Kramer]

Seems to be doing better today. I gave it a bit more current.

Marc Levenson > wrote in message >...
> It does take a few days for a coral to acclimate to a new home. Touching it delays things.
> Let's give it time for now.
>
> Marc
>
>
> Brian Kramer wrote:
>
> > There are also two pictures under the picture gallery. Still really
> > closed up and can't figure out why. It's been in the tank since the
> > 28th.
> > Though I did fiddle with it and move it yesterday.
> > Marc Levenson > wrote in message >...
> > > I was referring only to the MH bulb itself, actually. 6 to 8" from the surface, plus
> > > (approx) 9" from the surface to the bulb, right? That should be okay.
> > >
> > > Marc
> > >
> > >
> > > Brian Kramer wrote:
> > >
> > > > It's not 175watt total, it's actually 175 w mh and 190 watts vho
> > > > total, so we're at 365 watts or almost 7 a gallon. I will be getting
> > > > a 6500 shortly.
> > > > The coral is about 6-8 inches from the surface.
> > > >
> > > > Marc Levenson > wrote in message >...
> > > > > It sounds like your current is fine, but your lighting could be a problem. How
> > > > > deep is the coral from your lights? 175w isn't a lot, and if your tank is
> > > > > relatively deep it may be too far from the light.
> > > > >
> > > > > A good technique it to start a coral lower in the tank and move it up gradually
> > > > > every few days.
> > > > >
> > > > > Btw, 5500K isn't a good bulb for reef keeping. 6500K or higher would be better,
> > > > > as it avoids fueling algae growth. Maybe you just typed it wrongly?
> > > > >
> > > > > Marc
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Brian Kramer wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > I purchased what I was told was a torch coral, but I am pretty sure it
> > > > > > is a hammer coral. A torch coral has anemone like tentacle where the
> > > > > > hammer and the one I have has little hammer like endings on the
> > > > > > tentacles.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > My question, what exactly is moderate water movement and moderate
> > > > > > lighting. This is my first coral in a while. Had a 125 g about 10
> > > > > > years ago.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I have 175w 5500k mh and 2 vho actinics...
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I put the coral in the middle of the tank depth wise.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > As for current, I have a scwd hooked up to a 3mqdx little giant pump.
> > > > > > Probably running at 3/4 thorughput on output (throttled by ballvalve)
> > > > > > and with the elbows and such and the scwd it's probably running at
> > > > > > around 500-600 gph across the length of the tank back and forth. The
> > > > > > coral is below the main current...I see the tentacle swaying fairly
> > > > > > consistently but not forcefully.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I think this is moderate, but it is so subjective.