Having a problem...

[smbrach]

Hello,
I am searching fo help with a zoanthid colony that I have had for about 5 months now. They have been very healthy up until about the last couple of weeks.

When I first noticed a problem, I saw that some of the polyps looked as though they were being stung by something. They would curl in, just a little. I noticed some tiny white strings that looked like the Foraminiferan pictured here : http://www.reefs.org/hhfaq/pages/picture_pages/faq_foramwhite.html
So, I thought that they were harmless and payed them no attention. I know the zoas curl when irritated, so I thought that something else was bugging it. Also, I have read to try to let saltwater problems work themselves out so that's what I was trying to do.

Also, it looked like maybe there was a sponge growing amongst the center of the zoas and thought this wasn't a problem either, but now it seems that it is also harming my polyps.

Well, I have been watching this problem get worse and worse. Now some of the polyps are dying, and I noticed one of these things on another colony of zoas. I am sorry but I cannot get a photo.

Any ideas?
Thanks.

 

[budjr8000]

have you blown the zoos out like put them in front of a jet or used a turkey baster to remove any sediment between the polyps. you could try a FW dip on them.

 

[smbrach]

Under the advice of my trusted LFS, I removed the zoas from my tank and used a soft bristle toothbrush to gently remove the dying polyps and white things. It seems that I have lost nearly half of my colony! I am so upset. I just want to get the others healthy so that they can grow.

How exactly do you do a FW dip? I have been in this hobby for less than a year, so many things I am still learning!

Thank you for your help.

 

[ficklefins]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=451720