Who Gives A Fish Forums

Just got a new Hammer Coral and wanna make sure I'm giving it the right flow. Right now I've got a Nero 5 on the left side of my 40-gallon tank, set to random mode. They're kinda swaying but not fully extending. Should I crank it up or dial it back?

Hammer Corals prefer moderate, indirect flow. If they're not fully extending, it might be too strong. Try reducing the Nero 5 to 30-40% and see if they respond better. Also, check your placement—they do well mid-tank where the flow isn't direct.

Mine did the same thing when I blasted 'em with flow. Moved 'em to a chill spot near the bottom and they're way happier now. Maybe try that?

What's your lighting like? Sometimes they won't extend if the PAR is too high. I run mine at 150 PAR with gentle flow, and they're thriving.

Bolden wrote: ↑Tue Aug 05, 2025 2:33 am Hammer Corals prefer moderate, indirect flow. If they're not fully extending, it might be too strong. Try reducing the Nero 5 to 30-40% and see if they respond better. Also, check your placement—they do well mid-tank where the flow isn't direct.

Agreed. I've found that Hammers like a gentle sway, not a constant push. Adjust the flow and give it a few days to acclimate.

Mine are in a 50-gallon with two MP10s on opposite sides, set to lagoon mode. They're fully extended and growing like crazy. Maybe try alternating flow patterns?

Thanks for the tips, everyone. Gonna dial back the flow and see how they react. Appreciate the help!

Let us know how it goes. Sometimes it's trial and error with flow, but once you find the sweet spot, they'll reward you with great growth.

Yep, patience is key. Took me a few weeks to get mine dialed in, but now they're one of my favorite pieces in the tank.

Folkora wrote: ↑Tue Aug 05, 2025 9:57 am Yep, patience is key. Took me a few weeks to get mine dialed in, but now they're one of my favorite pieces in the tank.

Same here. Once they're happy, they're hard to beat. Good luck with yours!