First zoa purchase

[reefgoddess808]

Hello!
So I just got my first zoanthid, its a small orange colony of about ten polyps on a small flat frag. I have it about 12 inches deep under 132 watts T5s. I got it yesterday, a few polyps were open but most were still closed. This morning same thing, and then after work they appear shriveled. Im just wondering what is normal for these guys as far as getting adjusted goes. A few days? a week?
Any info would be well appreciated!

 

[FragsFragsFrags]

Might want to start them at the bottom...mail order? LFS?...water in your tank good?

 

[KorL]

Depending where you purchased either mail order or local purchase will sometimes dictate how long it takes for the polyps to open. If local purchase, they should open up that day or. Mail order sometimes can open up same day sometimes a couple days.

Let's see a pic.

 

[reefgoddess808]

This is the best pic I could take. Im not terribly worried at this point, I think it just needs some time. Doing my water change tomorrow so maybe that will help. I should add that I got a hammer coral at the same time which is doing terrific.

 

[reefgoddess808]

Also it was a semi local purchase. I drove about two hours home with it...

 

[A. Grandis]

Nah… probably OK.
Give it some time.
Make sure you keep params stable.
Assuming the water chemistry, light, temp and so on are good you shouldn't worry.
They look very healthy to me.

Grandis.

 

[reefgoddess808]

Awesome! Now I have to pick a good permanent home for them as my fish or CUC keep knocking them over. For now its flat on my sand bed. I have some epoxy and will be placing it this weekend.

 

[A. Grandis]

Awesome! Now I have to pick a good permanent home for them as my fish or CUC keep knocking them over. For now its flat on my sand bed. I have some epoxy and will be placing it this weekend.

Let them open and look good before moving them.
One step at a time.

Grandis.

 

[PirateToast]

Let them open and look good before moving them.
One step at a time.

Grandis.

However... if your CUC is knocking them over all the time, that will bother them into hiding more.

 

[rworegon]

Did you dip them before you put them in your tank?
A good iodine based dip is good for zoas. Also, did you acclimate them? If you don't acclimate corals to your water params it can shock them.

 

[reefgoddess808]

The frag is stable on the bottom, crabs have crawled over it and a tiny blue leg has cleaned it but it has not moved. Here is an updated pic

 

[reefgoddess808]

I did not dip them, is it too late now? And yes I acclimated for just over an hour. Float, 1/2 cup every 5 minutes.

 

[rworegon]

Its never too late to dip. It may be too late to eliminate any pests that may have hitchhiked in on them but a good quality dip can help them heal if its a fresh frag and sometimes it will bring zoas out of their funk.

 

[reefgoddess808]

Good to know, Ill get some tomorrow when I get my water! Thanks so much for all the help guys!

 

[reefgoddess808]

I did my water change today and dipped the zoa. I also got a couple small frags today for 5 bucks. One already has some polyps opening. So we shall see how it goes.
Thanks again for all the help and advice!