Help with shriveling hammer corals

[tidesoul]

I've had this Hammer coral for a bit over a month and it was doing great, then yesterday I noticed it had shriveled in. I've read they don't recede at night, they even extend their tentacles, but for about two days now the right side is growing and the left side isn't as much, and at night it shrinks. I can see a bit of the skeleton in the rear left, which is a concern. My chemical levels are all fine according to the forums and internet, and I've checked for parasites, none found. My cleaner shrimp keeps picking at the exposed skeleton. Occasionally the shriveled part will extend its tentacles, but they're not plump, they're long and stringy. Any ideas? I'll double-check my parameters again tomorrow, but for the most part they're fine, just my calcium's a bit low at 380 ppm, I'm dosing to get it back up to 400.

[felinxo]

Honestly, I'm not gonna be much help here, probably just gonna say it's not on you. Hammer corals just seem to tank in our systems about 90% of the time within a few weeks, no matter what. I've been pretty vocal about this lately and haven't gotten much pushback. Sorry to say, but it might be a loss, try a parancora instead.

[fleeton]

+1, branching corals are way more reliable, I'd go that route next time.

[tidesoul]

Thanks for the input. It's actually gotten worse today - I can see even more of the skeleton now and it's shrunk in even further. The left portion's still not extending like the right, and at night it's almost completely closed up. Guess I'll be in the market for a new coral soon. Any suggestions for something I haven't tried yet?

[felinxo]

I'd recommend sticking to aquacultured corals, avoid the wild ones, especially the large pieces that are just taken from the sea.

[zelkor9]

I'm a bit concerned about your calcium levels, 380 is on the lower side. What's your current alkalinity and magnesium looking like? And to be honest, 400 is still a bit low for my liking. What method are you using to boost it back up?