6 Simple Tips for Keeping Zoanthids Happy, Healthy, and Growing Fast

:thumbsup:

Thanks for posting!! Good thread.

I still would like to know more about the definition of "dirty water" by many.
Everyone has they preferred level of dirty in they water...
What would be "dirty" in the water?
Why would you think that?
Who invented that?
:hmm4:

Also I can't understand those dark blue tanks...
Is that the light you guys have all day long?
Is that LEDs? Or T5s?
I'm getting older. LOL!!!! :lol2:

Cheers!
Grandis.
 
The fastest growth I've had from Paly / Zoa gardens is with nitrate levels well north of 10ppm, and dosing the tank with 'protein slurries'. Basically I drop a cube of frozen brine shrimp or beef heart in a blender, grind it until particles are too small to be visible, and dump it in the tank with filters / skimmer off for a day.

Acropora isn't really happy about this, but Zoas / Palys respond with astonishing growth rates and acan's certainly don't complain. Gobstoppers being cut and growing a new heads in two weeks. Even tricky varities like blue hornets growing like weeds. I then skim like crazy after a day just so nitrate doesn't get too crazy, although once your garden tank starts getting really dense it will devour the protein cloud and go to crystal clear in a few hours.
 
blasterman789 said:
The fastest growth I've had from Paly / Zoa gardens is with nitrate levels well north of 10ppm, and dosing the tank with 'protein slurries'. Basically I drop a cube of frozen brine shrimp or beef heart in a blender, grind it until particles are too small to be visible, and dump it in the tank with filters / skimmer off for a day.

Acropora isn't really happy about this, but Zoas / Palys respond with astonishing growth rates and acan's certainly don't complain. Gobstoppers being cut and growing a new heads in two weeks. Even tricky varities like blue hornets growing like weeds. I then skim like crazy after a day just so nitrate doesn't get too crazy, although once your garden tank starts getting really dense it will devour the protein cloud and go to crystal clear in a few hours.
Click to expand...

Zoas and other cnidarians can actually tolerate relatively high nitrates... Ideal? Maybe not. Not all the time...

So in your tank you put all that protein and so on just to have the zoas cleaning all that up without any further problems?
No algae problems? No toxicity to fish? No problems at all?
Wow! How many years are you doing that without any problems to that particular tank? I assume you are doing water changes and cleaning that substrate at least, if you have one.
I also assume that you would have an oversized skimmer to help keep the animals alive in the system, after all that being introduced like that.
Is your water smelling bad?
What filtrations you apply?
Please let us know more about that feeding technics...

By the way... THAT is dirty water!

Keep in mind that not all that you're "feeding" that system will be absorbed by the zoanthids nor corals!!

Grandis.
 
Great thread. What kind of lights are you using? What about schedule? They look like their all pretty close to the surface?
Thanks.
 
Awesome tips man I got a 300 gallon tank I'm setting up and was really liking zoos. . But I didn't have as much info in everything I've read so far, as what you put in your first post. Thanks for the info keep up the good work man!!

Sent from my SPH-L710T using Tapatalk
 
A. Grandis said:
Zoas and other cnidarians can actually tolerate relatively high nitrates... Ideal? Maybe not. Not all the time...

So in your tank you put all that protein and so on just to have the zoas cleaning all that up without any further problems?
No algae problems? No toxicity to fish? No problems at all?
Wow! How many years are you doing that without any problems to that particular tank? I assume you are doing water changes and cleaning that substrate at least, if you have one.
I also assume that you would have an oversized skimmer to help keep the animals alive in the system, after all that being introduced like that.
Is your water smelling bad?
What filtrations you apply?
Please let us know more about that feeding technics...

By the way... THAT is dirty water!

Keep in mind that not all that you're "feeding" that system will be absorbed by the zoanthids nor corals!!

Grandis.
Click to expand...

See the original post that started this thread about "feed feed feed" before bugging me about it. When I've been snorkeling in the ocean on vacation (florida) I took note of zoanthid colonies being densest around sewer runoffs, stagnant areas etc. The main problem with a high nutrient tank is keeping pH elevated, but that can be accomplished with Kalk. I'm otherwise a water change minimalist mainly because I'm not a fan of sidewalk de-icer (calcium chloride) as the only only source of ionic calcium in commercial mixes which in my opinion displaces suspended calcium carbonate as the preferred source of calcium by corals. I also use generous iodine dosing.

I have a link to a 6month old garden tank here I started here.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2600946
Note the water is crystal clear and there's no nuisance algae.

I also don't tell people to get rid of their LEDs and use T5's to grow zaos.
 
blasterman789 said:
See the original post that started this thread about "feed feed feed" before bugging me about it. When I've been snorkeling in the ocean on vacation (florida) I took note of zoanthid colonies being densest around sewer runoffs, stagnant areas etc. The main problem with a high nutrient tank is keeping pH elevated, but that can be accomplished with Kalk. I'm otherwise a water change minimalist mainly because I'm not a fan of sidewalk de-icer (calcium chloride) as the only only source of ionic calcium in commercial mixes which in my opinion displaces suspended calcium carbonate as the preferred source of calcium by corals. I also use generous iodine dosing.

I have a link to a 6month old garden tank here I started here.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2600946
Note the water is crystal clear and there's no nuisance algae.

I also don't tell people to get rid of their LEDs and use T5's to grow zaos.
Click to expand...

:bounce3::bounce2::bounce1::bounce3::bounce2:

I'm very sorry for bugging you about feeding. :crazy1: Very, very sorry!
I'm the guy who are the feeder here for many years and keep telling our friends in this forum and others about feeding their zoas in the first place.
I'm the guys who gets fired for doing that!! :celeb1:

I'm glad you did your little visit to Florida and observed those cute sewer runoff sites. Aren't they wonderful? Hope you didn't swallow anything from those waters.:hmm4:

But I'm here to tell you that the stuff you're adding to your tank is very close to the sewer crap you experienced in Florida. Are you happy for that? Do you think that's a complement? I'm also here to tell you that you can and should try to feed your zoas better and cleaner. That's because I'm the guys who actually tell people to feed their polyps for years here and in other forums, you know?

Well, just let me know how things are after couple of years doing what you're doing, ok? Not 6 months... My current zoa system is only 8 years+ old and I think I went through all those years pretty good without any kind of crash just because I'm not trying to resemble any Florida's sewer runoff. Maybe that's why. :thumbsup:

Eh, sorry for bugging you again!!

Make sure you have those LEDs for long time too and keep that tank crystal clear without any water changes! :frog:

*I'm just glad we all can express our thoughts here to try help others!*

Grandis.
 
Last edited:
mpyers said:
How strict is the no butterfly rule? I'm considering getting one for aiptasia control. I don't have zoas yet but i plan to because they're my favorite. Im new at this.
Click to expand...

You can get a Copperband. It's a hit and miss.
Some of them will eat all the visible aiptasia and then they go for the zoas.
Good luck!

Grandis.
 
A. Grandis said:
:bounce3::bounce2::bounce1::bounce3::bounce2:

I'm very sorry for bugging you about feeding. :crazy1: Very, very sorry!
I'm the guy who are the feeder here for many years and keep telling our friends in this forum and others about feeding their zoas in the first place.
I'm the guys who gets fired for doing that!! :celeb1:

I'm glad you did your little visit to Florida and observed those cute sewer runoff sites. Aren't they wonderful? Hope you didn't swallow anything from those waters.:hmm4:

But I'm here to tell you that the stuff you're adding to your tank is very close to the sewer crap you experienced in Florida. Are you happy for that? Do you think that's a complement? I'm also here to tell you that you can and should try to feed your zoas better and cleaner. That's because I'm the guys who actually tell people to feed their polyps for years here and in other forums, you know?

Well, just let me know how things are after couple of years doing what you're doing, ok? Not 6 months... My current zoa system is only 8 years+ old and I think I went through all those years pretty good without any kind of crash just because I'm not trying to resemble any Florida's sewer runoff. Maybe that's why. [emoji106]

Eh, sorry for bugging you again!!

Make sure you have those LEDs for long time too and keep that tank crystal clear without any water changes! :frog:

*I'm just glad we all can express our thoughts here to try help others!*

Grandis.
Click to expand...

Way to ruin a perfectly good debate thread with arrogant narrow-mindedness. Just because someone way isn't the what you believe to be the right way. Doesn't mean it is wrong. He is having success right now he wanted to share it with the rest of us. Probably for the beginners. And for the chance to hear others stories and plan of action. Yes you may have a tank for 8+ years but that's the way you have obviously found success. I have realized there are 1000 ways to do the same thing in this hobby all with the same level of success. Instead of ridiculing and being condescending why not offer rationally thought out solutions and proof/evidence of your success.
So us beginners can take everyone advice and try our own version of success. Because right now it's turning into a he said she said scenario. This hobby is made to be our own experience. We take others success and advice and take the elements that work for us.

Sorry it's just this type of attitude from ppl in these type of threads that's think that no other way but their own is the right way. T5 and LEDs does it really matter as long as they are alive and shining bright. Its like in PCs AMD or Intel...both have pros and cons.
does it really matter as long as it does what you need within your budget/space requirements..Everyone has their opinion. It's about how we present it.

As far as the write up super glad to see success I recently acquired 6 different types of zoathnthids/palythoas and will be starting a rock garden of some sort. Keep us posted with the growth! Only thing I would make a note on is 6 lines can tend to get really aggressive as adults so I have heard. timing on introduction is key. And be careful what you keep with it. It's really hit or miss. But they are great cleaners.

I haven't dosed anything but I do feed a lot. And my Space Monsters popped 4 heads in 3 weeks. Started with 2 and now have 6. Feeling good!

I have mine placed under a cheap 150 Amazon LED 300w dual channel light.

Blues running 100% 10hrs
Whites 75% 8hr.

Light is hung 8inch from tank.
Racks are placed underneath light at mid/top rear tank.

I am feeding a mixture of
LPS Pellets - crushed in tank water
Spectrum Pellets - crushed in tank water
Flake food - ground between fingers into tiny bits
Freeze dried brine shrimp - 1/4 cube crushed between fingers
Frozen mysis - mashed in tank water
Frozen Calanrus - mashed in tank water - most recent addition they seem to react more to this stuff then anything else!

I don't feed everything all at once. One day I'll do a feeding of small amounts of 2 types the next day I'll use different 2. This is to make sure the other critters in my tank don't become picky eaters.

Here are the pics I have on my phone I'll get more when the lights are on.

339df3c17869049d0b6a9e4bebd8979e.jpg


Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
 
Grimreaperz said:
Way to ruin a perfectly good debate thread with arrogant narrow-mindedness. Just because someone way isn't the what you believe to be the right way. Doesn't mean it is wrong. He is having success right now he wanted to share it with the rest of us. Probably for the beginners. And for the chance to hear others stories and plan of action. Yes you may have a tank for 8+ years but that's the way you have obviously found success. I have realized there are 1000 ways to do the same thing in this hobby all with the same level of success. Instead of ridiculing and being condescending why not offer rationally thought out solutions and proof/evidence of your success.
So us beginners can take everyone advice and try our own version of success. Because right now it's turning into a he said she said scenario. This hobby is made to be our own experience. We take others success and advice and take the elements that work for us.

Sorry it's just this type of attitude from ppl in these type of threads that's think that no other way but their own is the right way. T5 and LEDs does it really matter as long as they are alive and shining bright. Its like in PCs AMD or Intel...both have pros and cons.
does it really matter as long as it does what you need within your budget/space requirements..Everyone has their opinion. It's about how we present it.

As far as the write up super glad to see success I recently acquired 6 different types of zoathnthids/palythoas and will be starting a rock garden of some sort. Keep us posted with the growth! Only thing I would make a note on is 6 lines can tend to get really aggressive as adults so I have heard. timing on introduction is key. And be careful what you keep with it. It's really hit or miss. But they are great cleaners.

I haven't dosed anything but I do feed a lot. And my Space Monsters popped 4 heads in 3 weeks. Started with 2 and now have 6. Feeling good!

I have mine placed under a cheap 150 Amazon LED 300w dual channel light.

Blues running 100% 10hrs
Whites 75% 8hr.

Light is hung 8inch from tank.
Racks are placed underneath light at mid/top rear tank.

I am feeding a mixture of
LPS Pellets - crushed in tank water
Spectrum Pellets - crushed in tank water
Flake food - ground between fingers into tiny bits
Freeze dried brine shrimp - 1/4 cube crushed between fingers
Frozen mysis - mashed in tank water
Frozen Calanrus - mashed in tank water - most recent addition they seem to react more to this stuff then anything else!

I don't feed everything all at once. One day I'll do a feeding of small amounts of 2 types the next day I'll use different 2. This is to make sure the other critters in my tank don't become picky eaters.

Here are the pics I have on my phone I'll get more when the lights are on.

339df3c17869049d0b6a9e4bebd8979e.jpg


Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I really made you write up didn't I? Haha!! :spin3:
This is just a hobby! I was having fun with you the whole time!!!
Don't take my stings in the wrong way, kid!
Good luck with your feeding schedule and don't be too serious.:hmm4::hmm4:
Not worthy to get too hot. Haha!!!

You know why? I don't care!:beer:

Grandis.
 
A. Grandis said:
I really made you write up didn't I? Haha!! :spin3:

You know why? I don't care!:beer:

Grandis.
Click to expand...

Then why are you here???

We tend to come to these forums for ppl that care and want to give unbiased advice
Not arrogant know it alls. that think there way is the only way.
 
Grimreaperz said:
Then why are you here???

We tend to come to these forums for ppl that care and want to give unbiased advice
Not arrogant know it alls. that think there way is the only way.
Click to expand...

I come here to try help people not to add too much trash in their tanks and feed wisely.
Also, to say that if you have T5s, instead those expensive LEDs, your life will be much, much easier in regards to light. That's IMO.

But that is only my point of view!!
Do I respect others? Yep. Did I try LEDs to say that? Yep, so...

I just think everyone has their own way to deal with their tanks and the right to suggest what they want. Yep, 1000s of ways to skin the cat!!! I agree 100%!
I say things here to let people know what would be the best way, IMO.

I don't care about arguments trying to proof anything. That's what I don't care!
What I post is to try to help others. I do care about that.

:thumbsup:

Grandis.
 
A. Grandis said:
I come here to try help people not to add too much trash in their tanks and feed wisely.
Also, to say that if you have T5s, instead those expensive LEDs, your life will be much, much easier in regards to light. That's IMO.

But that is only my point of view!!
Do I respect others? Yep. Did I try LEDs to say that? Yep, so...

I just think everyone has their own way to deal with their tanks and the right to suggest what they want. Yep, 1000s of ways to skin the cat!!! I agree 100%!
I say things here to let people know what would be the best way, IMO.

I don't care about arguments trying to proof anything. That's what I don't care!
What I post is to try to help others. I do care about that.

[emoji106]

Grandis.
Click to expand...
It's all in the presentation. Making suggestions or stating your opinion and being condescending and arrogant are 2 different things.[emoji107]

But again that's just my opinion.

If you read the original post I quoted of your. It's riddles with arrogance condescension. Not needed in a place like this.

But again this is just my opinion.

Thanks for reading. Now I will refrain from responding further as I fear this is derailing the nature of the post.




Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
 
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