Hammer Garden

Hammer corals (Euphyllia ancora) are a popular type of LPS (large polyp stony) coral known for their hammer-shaped tentacles and swaying movement. They are relatively hardy but require proper care to thrive. Here’s a guide on how to care for them:

1. Tank Requirements

• Tank Size: Minimum of 20 gallons, but larger is better for stability.

• Placement: Medium to low areas of the tank, away from aggressive corals.

2. Water Parameters

• Temperature: 76-80°F (24-27°C)

• Salinity: 1.025 specific gravity

• pH: 8.1-8.4

• Alkalinity: 8-12 dKH

• Calcium: 400-450 ppm

• Magnesium: 1250-1350 ppm

• Nitrate: <10 ppm

• Phosphate: <0.05 ppm

3. Lighting

• Moderate lighting (PAR 100-150) is ideal.

• Use LED or T5 lights; avoid excessive intensity to prevent bleaching.

4. Flow & Placement

• Moderate, indirect water flow (gentle swaying motion).

• Avoid direct blasts from powerheads, as strong flow can cause tissue damage.

5. Feeding

• Primarily photosynthetic but benefits from target feeding 1-2 times per week.

• Feed with:

• Meaty foods (mysis shrimp, brine shrimp)

• Coral foods (Reef Roids, phytoplankton, amino acids)

6. Aggression & Compatibility

• Semi-aggressive – can sting nearby corals with sweeper tentacles.

• Keep at least 3-5 inches away from other corals.

• Safe with most fish, but avoid coral-picking species like large angelfish and butterflyfish.

7. Growth & Fragging

• Grows in branching or wall forms.

• Branching hammer corals are easier to frag by cutting individual heads.

• Wall hammers are harder to frag without tissue damage.

8. Common Issues & Solutions

• Brown Jelly Disease (treat by removing affected areas and improving water flow).

• Tissue recession (caused by poor water quality or too much flow).

• Bleaching (due to excessive light or stress).

Would you like help troubleshooting a specific issue or recommendations for placement in your setup?