Need advice New to Zoas

[method0075]

Greetings everyone,

After upgrading my lighting to 4 CF 65watt actinics and 2x150watt 10k MH combo, I am intrested in filling my tank with ZOA colonies. I`m looking to gather advice as to good starter breeds and tips to helping the colonies grow as fast as possible. I would ultimatly like to see my LR covered in Coraline and ZOA...

 

[jjmcat]

What other type of corals do you plan to keep?

 

[method0075]

I would like to add a couple BTA`s but that`s about it. Not ready for hard corals yet

 

[jjmcat]

Any particular colors your looking for?

 

[method0075]

I really like the blue ones and the watermelon. They are all pretty attractive and I wouldn`t mind a variety of colors in my tank.

 

[jjmcat]

Just from my own experience Tubs blues and eagle eye zoas seem to grow fast and are the toughest zoas in my tank. Another polyp you might consider are clove polyps. They will spread in your tank and have nice colors.I would just experiment but please stay away from button polyps

 

[jjmcat]

http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/17-reefslides

 

[method0075]

Thanks for the great link... Whats up with button polyps?

 

[jok312]

just from my experiences.. tubbs blues, eagle eyes, horizons, radioactive dragon eyes/greens, black cherries, button polyps, cammo palys, mohawks have exploded in growth...

i would recommend getting as many polyps as possible. i tended to buy 1-2 polyps in the beginning but growth tends to be fairly slow.. i'd start out with at least a mini colony of 6 or more if possible..

 

[JuliusJames]

IME I notice more growth when I put them close to one another and middle to high placement

 

[iFisch]

What size tank?

"A couple BTA's" doesn't sound too good, especially to zoa aficionado's. They more around, and if the move around far enough in 1 day, they can and will kill zoa's.

If you just want a few colonies of zoa's, that's fine, but if you A) want to have a lot of different zoa's/paly's B) spend money on the expensive and rare ones or C) both - ditch the BTA for good.