How Light Affects these Zoas

250G

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Same small colony. This first picture is where this zoas gets more light.

pinkskirt1.jpg


This same zoa where is is getting much less light, on the side of the colony not getting direct light. These are being kept under 8T5's, 54W each.

pinkskirt2.jpg
 
couple questions for you 250G?

how do you consider them the same colony are they attached? hard to tell from the photos where they are in relation to each other.
are there any other factors that could make these look so different?
how far away are they from one another? could flow be a factor? could they be near another type of coral that doesn't get along with them? what about that green algae creeping up on them?

just trying to bring up relevant, thought-provoking conversation rather than "thanks." (no offense to anyone)
 
Good questions.

They zoas are in fact attached and part of the same colony, on the same piece of liverock, in the same tank. The ones that get more light also get a little more direct but random flow. As they are on the other side of the rock, they are about 4" from one another.

The polyps that get more light are generally also smaller, where as the same polyps in less light are much more plump. No other corals to speak of in the area, and all other parameters being the same for both.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12444632#post12444632 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capture
couple questions for you 250G?

how do you consider them the same colony are they attached? hard to tell from the photos where they are in relation to each other.
are there any other factors that could make these look so different?
how far away are they from one another? could flow be a factor? could they be near another type of coral that doesn't get along with them? what about that green algae creeping up on them?

just trying to bring up relevant, thought-provoking conversation rather than "thanks." (no offense to anyone)
 
I have seen this happen too with my favorite strain of zoos. In my old 8g they were approx 15" bellow my 150w 14k phoenix, 2 polyps one facing up and the other forward, The top one tended be even less open than the ones above and look like a taco while the other was open all the way. Also only got 1 new polyp in about 3 months, but was my first real sw tank and not a great set up. All my other polyps were fine though and never closed up like that one did and had great coloration.

In the new tank a 40 reg, same light fixture and bulb but they were about 20" down and 18" to the side in the front corner. The top one opened up all the way and growth increased, from 3 to 8 full polyps in 3 months, much better set up and water conditions too though. Only thing is the coloration went way down. Now they are just 20" directly bellow the 150 on the sand for about a week and they have brightened back up a lot without the 'taco' effect. Finally found that perfect spot I hope.
 
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