help

[lgull1]

I was wondering since i haven't kept zoas for a long period of time in my life. Maybe some of your experts on here can help me. First of all, I didn't even realize that all zoas are not the same as far as lighting goes so i put mine all near the sand. One zoa colony in particular is getting thin in the body and kinda of thinning out. Any reasons why?

Everything is good but i have a pistol shrimp and a peppermint shrimp in the tank and some large cleaner snails. I don't know of any of these animals liking zoas but they are just kinda thin looking. I feed them oyster eggs and they plenty of light i hope. I have MH and VHO in my tank. 24 inch deep 175MH and 3 110 W VHO. I have heard on these thread people saying their zoas are melting. one colony melted or disappeared overnight. I'm trying to figure this out and hoping that i don't lose them all.

I notice that you can have numerous things attack them but i have never seen anything that have eaten them or anything. If they die i am done with zoas. I just figure someone on this forum could add their 2 cents. thanks

 

[zoadude]

Not an expert but the ones that are stretching sound liek they need more light. I would watch the pistol because if it can move anything it will use it to reinforce its tunnels so anything on the sand bed that it can move will end up down a hole. And don't think because of their small size they are weaklings. lol. Amazing what they can move around.
I have Tigers in my tank and though they can be a pest at times, I can't help but to luv em.

 

[SIR PATRICK]

Sounds like there could be a number of things going on in your tank.

A little more info would be great, including-

water parameters- (ph, alk, calc, amonia, no2, no3, phos, ect.)
How old is the tank/how long has it been running
any fish in the tank?
Have you dipped any of these zoas before adding them
photoperiod
are you using ro water or tap water

First off, I would inspect all your zoas for predators/sighns of predators. Look for nudis, nudi eggs, flatworms, and so on. You can find pics of these on zoaid.com

Next I might do a dip (saltwater and iodine, among others) that are safe for your zoanthids. See what might fall out of there. I dont recomend dipping the stressed polyps till you find a good reason to. It can further stress them, and the dip is possibly unesesary.

Next, I would do a full range of water quality tests, to see where you are at in the tank. Never know, somthing is bound to be out of wack if you are noticing problems. If you dont have tests, take a sample to your LFS for testing- many do this for free.

Get all the info needed to figure out the possible problems, and its very possible you zoas could be happy in no time. Just need a bit more info.

 

[lgull1]

The only reason that i haven't gave more information and maybe its dumb but everything in my tank is fine and even the other zoas. It is just this particular group on the sad bed. They were doing great and spreading but now they seem to have thinned out. I looked at them from the side and they have seem to have lost weight. I have a bubble coral in the tank that is super sensitive to anything, kind of like my canary in the coal mine and he is doing good. I will say this, Don't know if this is relevant, i lost my MH last we for 6 days. They only had 3 VHO on that side for light.

This particular pack of zoas is the lowest. Its on the sand bed. I have never dipped any zoas or have had any predators to speak of in my tank. You flatworms though. You mean bristle worms? I do have those. I use RO strictly. Like i said, I have hard and soft in my tank all doing good, If any parameters were out of wack i think other things in my tank would be stressing as well. My tank has been running for years. Only 2 fish. 6 line wrasse and hawkfish. maybe move them up to more light possibly. I always thought that all zoas needed the minimal and that's it. I have had little to know experience with zoas in the past. Just though i would try them.

 

[SIR PATRICK]

^ thx for the info, helps alot.

Sounds like your tank is established, and I like your canary in the goldmine- I have a couple myself. Would never go without them. It also seems your lights are adaquate.

Glad you have found out the info that different zoas like different lighting/flow. Although zoas can maintain in very poor conditions, all around, most thrive under intence lighting and good indirect flow. There are your lower light loving zoas out there, but most seem to enjoy lotts of light to give their best for you.

Dont hesitate to bring your zoas higher in the tank, and off the sandbed. Many will thank you for it, and you will see it. Just make sure to do so a little at a time, over an extended period of time. The zoas will tell you by looking worse as they start getting too much light.

Another good peice of advice-

Always dip your new zoas. Hitchiking predators are VERY comon with zoas, and once they are in the tank, they can cause major havok and headaches for you.

Another thing about zoas is that they are very fickle.....sometimes for no good reason they will turn and shrivle up on you out of no where and for no reason. Most of the time, the guys on this zoa board, can get to the root of the problem, but in some cases- it just turns out to be a mystery.

Other than the thinning stalks, do you notice anything different about them? Spots, fungus, algea, growths, or anything? Are they still opening up all the way? Do they have a section of their stalks that look pinched? Or are they just look like they are stretching?

Hopefully they are open all the way, and just look like they are stretching. That is a key note that they just want a bit more light.

 

[lgull1]

Yes they are opening up all the way, I have just noticed the thinning out on the frag plugs they most commonly come on. I haven't noticed anything unusual about what is on them. They were really healthy a couple of weeks back and seem to be spreading so i assumed everything was good, so that is why i did not move them up to more powerful light or anything else.

Do you need feed zoas at all? I do feed mine sometimes oyster eggs from reef nutrition. I am glad that i did not pay much money for my zoas so if i lose them not much out of pocket. I can see from this forum that some of them cost quite a bit for one polyp. thanks for the advice and i hope i don't lose them.