I need some help with some info on Zoas.

[deeplove]

I've been reading about how toxic the Zoas can be and what not. But my questions are:

1. How do you properly handle Zoas? I know with some gloves, but do they sting when open? Will touching them while they're open harm them?

2. When I'm about to frag them, how do I make them close up?

3. I've seen how you guys grow out a couple of different kinds of Zoas on one rock. Do they grow till they touch each other or do they just keep spreading some where else? Do different kinds of Zoas attack each other for space?

4. on a 2.5G and on a 10G tank, what's the recommended lighting for them?

5. How much flow is needed to keep them?

I'm asking all these questions here since I'm about to start my 1st nano soon and it will be a All-Zoas tank. I might just add some other corals but the main focus is to get my feet wet with Zoas. Thanks in advance for your replies and thanks for a wonderful and informative site.

 

[dc_909]

I don't wear gloves, but I do wash my hands well after touching them.
They do not sting.
As long as you aren't rough with them, touching them willnot harm them.
Pick up the rock and gently move it around and they will close.
Generally one group of zoas will be dominate when grown next to each other and will evetually take over.

 

[deeplove]

Ok. So basically touching them won't hurt me. I kinda thought that the skirts would sting me. So I was some what affraid of fragging them myself.

Now as far as keeping a couple of different Zoas on a rock, how do you guys do it? I like those rocks with different color of Zoas.

Also, after moving them around and fragging them, would they let out some of their toxins? If so, should I just get into the habit of using Carbon during each time I frag?

4. on a 2.5G and on a 10G tank, what's the recommended lighting for them?

5. How much flow is needed to keep them?

 

[dc_909]

Also, be careful if you have open wounds on your hands.
You can keep them on the same rock, but if one starts to take over you can slice some off with a razor.
I have mine with medium flow and I "blast" them with a powerhead weekly before I do a water change.

 

[greystreet41]

I don't handle mine without gloves after having some type of reaction awhile back...that's just me.

 

[deeplove]

Ok then. So regular latex should be fine.

4. on a 2.5G and on a 10G tank, what's the recommended lighting for them?

I want to have a 2.5G Prop/Holding tank for the Zoas. What would I need for the tank to succeed?

.:Lighting, Filtration and what nots:.

Oh, another 2 questions:

1. How much LS can I use for a 2.5G and 10G ALL ZOAS tank?

2. What's the better LR? Fiji, Tonga and what ever else is out there?

Sorry for all the question guys. I'm just so hyped up to start my nano project.

 

[dc_909]

I would say a HOT filter would be sufficient for flow, but maybe 1 tiny PH also.

I think your only option for lighting would be PC's due to size of tank (2.5). Not sure if they make a halide small enough.

Sand is up to you. Some like DSB, some like BB and some like in-between.


LR. I prefer to get the best looking pieces, not really caring too much about where it comes from. If you can get multiple types in there you will end up with more diversity.

 

[deeplove]

Quick question.

If I do small little islands of Zoas, will the begin to grow on the sand bed if I leave them to grow out the island?

Also, after reading some of the posts around here, I know that the Zoas feed off of light. I won't be adding fish anytime soon when I start off my tank, but I will have the usual cleaning crew.

How would I go about feeding the cleaning crew and the Zoas if they do actually feed off of the material being fed? What would be the ideal food for both the Zoas and cleaning crew?

I'm also thinking of adding Rics to the tank. How much care do the Rics need if I end up going bare minimum for the Zoas?

 

[deeplove]

This will be a small bump since I have another question.

I have a 65W Coralife fixture that I will change the bulb to a 10K/Actinic bulb. The question is, would the 70W SunPod HQI Metal Halide Fixture be better than the 65W Coralife PC fixture?

Remember guys, it's a 10G tank for the Zoas.