New frags supposed to get here today...

[nightOwl]

Hi all,
I have some new frags of zoanthids that are supposed to be arriving today. I am running 6 x 54 T5's over a 90 gal tank. I am asking for advice on placement of zoas with pink in them. I know I need to start them out on the bottom and move them up, but does anyone have any advice on where they might like it and what type of flow. I will try to post pictures if the delivery happens today just in case anyone has some placement advice based on similarity. I am trying to avoid that bleached out look . I have some that no matter where I place them seem to look bleached out until only the actinics are on and then look pretty. Any suggestions/advice would helpful.

Thanks,

Henry

 

[ct_vol]

What bulbs are you running??? The whiter the spectrum the further down you're going to want to place your zoa's... But that can also vary by which zoas you purchased... lol I know I haven't been much help, but these questions must be addressed in order to answer yours...

 

[nightOwl]

ct_vol,
I am currently running front to back...

blue plus
super actinic
aqua blue special
aqua sun
super actinic
blue plus

hope that helps

Henry

 

[nightOwl]

I finally got the frags I was mentioning in this thread and the pinks started bleaching out. I have them under eggcrate. Anyone having any issues with the T5's bleaching out frags. I may be able to post some before and after pics tonight. I have tried moving my other zoas to shaded areas but then they just look like they are reaching for more light so I have a delima. Under actinics the frags look really nice but under the regular light they seem a little bleached out. Any suggestions are welcomed.

Thanks,

Henry

 

[thecichlidpleco]

I have 4x54 T5 on my 40 long, much shorter than your 90, and I have yet to experience bleaching out, no matter where I put them. But, I have found, that T5 do not bring out the best color, only under my actinics do mine even look good. Under regular they are okay, but not bleached.
I think all you should do since you got them recently is play around with placement more.
Perhaps, you need to change LR to accomadate them. Make shaded live rock caves higher, so it gives a little of both to the zoas.

 

[Debbie C.]

LET see some pictures!

 

[MarvinsReef]

a friend told me that when he gets new frags, it takes them a while to acclimate under T-5's.. hope they color back up for you.. good luck..

Marvin

 

[nightOwl]

thecichlidpleco,
I guess its not bleaching, but like say not the best color and like you said under actinic they look nice. Its just a bit depressing to see them in the store look one way and then change so much when they are in your tank for about 1 or two weeks . I might try to make some new caves higher up...thats a good idea. I figured since they could not take it lower in the tank putting them higher up would be sheer disaster, but moving the whole cave up is a good idea. Do you have any pics of the caves you made for yours...if so please post.

Debbie C,
I will post some pics tonight when I get home. I will warn you they are not going to look all that good . I was a happy camper when I saw them in the store.

Marvin,
I drool everytime I see your pics. I want mine to be pretty all the time not just under my actinics...lol.

Thanks,

Henry