New member w/ a few questions :)

[Karbs]

Hey all! I recently just got back into the hobby about two years ago after a ten year break and decided I should hop back on the forums. I'm currently running a 29g coral life biocube (reef) and 375g FO w/ fake rock from living color. (Currently no fish)

I just bought a few new corals from my LFS and they're all doing great except for some zoanthids that closed up after about a week of being introduced to the tank. I had the water tested today and everything was fine except my alk was a little high. I'm assuming that's the issue, but could there be anything outside the obvious affecting them?

Also, I've been curious about purchasing corals online but I'm worried that during the course of shipping they become unhealthy or don't end up making it. Just looking for some feedback from members who've purchased online and their experiences.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
-Danny

 

[dowjones1221]

without knowing the exact parameters its hard to say whats wrong with the zoas. They are generally not to difficult to keep but it could be a lighting issue, flow issue, or even a placement issue.

Ive had great success buying fish/corals/inverts from liveaquaria.com of course there is always going to be somebody with something bad to say, but in my experience what you receive is exceptional and healthy! they also have a no questions asked guarantee so if something didn't make it during shipping they have great customer service.

 

[Karbs]

without knowing the exact parameters its hard to say whats wrong with the zoas. They are generally not to difficult to keep but it could be a lighting issue, flow issue, or even a placement issue.

Thanks for the prompt response. When i first set up my tank i had 2 different zoas that also closed up and ended up not making it. The guy at my LFS eyeballed the alk at 13 but im not sure how accurate that is, although i agree it was a little higher than normal. Everything else he tested for were within normal levels and salinity was 1.024. As for the coral in the tank, its placed fairly high with moderate flow and the lights were replaced about 3-4 months ago. I run them 8 hours a day. Ill post some pictures tomorrow maybe that will help.

 

[Karbs]

Here's a picture of the tank and a close up of the polyps. The polyps in the front (buttons?) have http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp194/karbs1/IMG_2860_zps1ad2b4hf.jpgbeen there about a year and have thrived. Hope this helps!

 

[Karbs]

Not sure how to post directly to forum, let me know if these pics work

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp194/karbs1/IMG_2827_zpsekdfrlz6.jpg

 

[jrr98002]

IME zoas prefer to be placed lower in the tank (depending on how powerful your lights are - you didn't say) so it could be a lighting issue as stated above. Also, I too have had good experience with LiveAquaria.com. I haven't bought anything online in a while but I'm assuming they're still alright.

 

[Karbs]

IME zoas prefer to be placed lower in the tank (depending on how powerful your lights are - you didn't say) so it could be a lighting issue as stated above. Also, I too have had good experience with LiveAquaria.com. I haven't bought anything online in a while but I'm assuming they're still alright.

Thanks for the reply. I'm running the standard bulbs that come with the biocube (2 36w bulbs). Gonna do a water change this weekend and place them lower. If that doesn't work I'll probably just take them back to my LFS. Would hate to see them die off

 

[e048]

Zoas are weird

Also I never buy online i want to see what I'm buying and sometimes you order a tang expecting something pictured and end up getting the complete opposite (ordered a lavender tang and got a tenneti tang instead just be careful