Lighting for Zoas

[pcsimon]

The two Tanks of the Month tanks that were Zoanthids dominated tanks (MUCHOREEF and Archie Copps?) both ran 4X65 PC fixtures. I have similar lighting, but am not achieving the growth or coloration that other Zoa keepers seem to enjoy. My LFS guy tells me Zoas need MH to thrive. Is he just trying to bet me to drop 800 bucks or does he speak the truth? Almost everything else in my tank is fine, I expect lighting to be the major issue here.

 

[weaselslucks]

i use t-5's in my 75 and get mixed results some are fast growers and some are not

 

[Reef Mongoose]

is it possible to have to much light for zoas?

 

[weaselslucks]

hhh i guess it would depend on the zoas. they change color under different intesitities and they can be shocked by too much light

 

[JCR's Reef]

Zoa's really dont need extreme light to thrive. The light just brings out there colors. Zoa's will thrive under pc's. The key is stability. If you are constantly changes things (position of the light, rocks, water quality, and such) zoa's wont settle in to take off so to speak. Keep the desired water parameters and pretty much leave stuff alone once in place and they do the rest. Good Luck!

 

[mdcoblentz]

I swear that if I put my Purple deaths under my MH's they kink and shrivel like its too much light. When I put them in more of a shaded part of my tank they open much more and look nice!!! So I'm gonna say yes... you can have too much light for some zoanthids and palys.

 

[650-IS350]

Purple Deaths and PPE's are the few that CAN have too much light. theyll turn purple/brown with too much light.