Highlighter No More

[JeffReef]

Hi Folks,

Does anyone know what would cause the loss of color on Zoanthids. The flourescent colors (highlighter yellow, orange and green) on some of my Zoas are fading and I'd like to know the probable cause and how I could prevent this.

My set-up is a 20g (30x10x17) with a 130 watt PCs (65w of actinic and 65w of 10K).

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[Chelsey]

What are they fading to? Are they browning out or are they bleaching?

 

[dustin Combs]

Where do you have them located in your tank? High/low?

 

[JeffReef]

qoute:
"What are they fading to? Are they browning out or are they bleaching?"

No bleaching or browning- just that the colors are loosing their intensity. I have a few brightly colored Zoas with highlighter/neon yellow, orange and green. Now, the yellow, orange and green colors are pretty dull. They lost that "neon" color that they used to have.



quote:
"Where do you have them located in your tank? High/low?"

Most of the brightly colored Zoas are about 7 inches below the light fixture. I have the fixture sitting directly on top of the tank.

I wonder if 130 watts of PC lighting is not enough to maintain the colors.



Thanks,
Jeff

 

[organism]

from personal experience, zoos do best under t5's and halides for keeping their color, but there's many, many people that have had good results under pc's, it could be a combination of phosphates in the water and the lighting, although some zoanthid species are notorious for browning out in captive systems

 

[vipjd39]

what are your tank parameters

 

[JeffReef]

quote:
"from personal experience, zoos do best under t5's and halides for keeping their color, but there's many, many people that have had good results under pc's, it could be a combination of phosphates in the water and the lighting, although some zoanthid species are notorious for browning out in captive systems"

I can keep the Zoas alive with my 130w fixture. But, like you said, T5's and halides may be needed to keep their color.

So far I'm not noticing any "browning" of polyps. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

quote:
"what are your tank parameters"

I'll check and post the results tomorrow.

Is there anything that comes to mind as far as parameter readings that may affect the coloration of Zoas?


Thanks,
Jeff

 

[DiViNeLeFT]

how old are your bulbs? when i replaced my PC bulbs a colony of zoas i have went from brown to orange in the matter of a few days.

 

[vlapinta]

I am having the same problem. Just wondering how often you should change your bulbs? Mine are PC and they are 8 months old.

Vicki

 

[chrisstie]

I think PC you change out every year .. MH a little less.. T5 Can go up to 2 years..

I think.. don't mark my words on that

 

[discented]

PC's you should change once every 6 months-a year