so im planning on getting a couple of zoas but would like to know whats the best way to feed them how long i ned to have them in the light and like when i get them do i just place them on a piece of rock work or what sorry for being a bother just trying to learn as much as i can
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MikeandNicole
New member
Zoas do not need to be fed directly. Some zoas do better in higher light/flow but the majority like lower light and lower flow. They don't even require pristine water conditions, in fact most like the water a little dirty.
kichimark
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+1 on mikeandnicole statement.
What type of zoas do you plan on getting anyways? For me I have my lights on for around a 10 to 11 hour cycle. I try to mimick the natural cycle of sunlight. By dirty water they also mean nutrient rich. Most of my zoas and palys do not get directly fed but indirectly via the fish poo. I do on occasion like to give my palys some chopped up small krill and mysis. This is where ID becomes important since some types would accept food and some will not.
What type of lighting and system do you have? If you have t5's or MH I recommend placing your new zoas and palys on the bottom first then move upward so they can become used to your particular lights. For me I have placed my zoas and palys on rocks. If you have turbo snails they can be bulldozed so make sure if you do have these snails to secure the plug/frag to the rock you place them on.
What type of zoas do you plan on getting anyways? For me I have my lights on for around a 10 to 11 hour cycle. I try to mimick the natural cycle of sunlight. By dirty water they also mean nutrient rich. Most of my zoas and palys do not get directly fed but indirectly via the fish poo. I do on occasion like to give my palys some chopped up small krill and mysis. This is where ID becomes important since some types would accept food and some will not.
What type of lighting and system do you have? If you have t5's or MH I recommend placing your new zoas and palys on the bottom first then move upward so they can become used to your particular lights. For me I have placed my zoas and palys on rocks. If you have turbo snails they can be bulldozed so make sure if you do have these snails to secure the plug/frag to the rock you place them on.
MikeandNicole
New member
Yes, you can place them on a rock (glue helps) and just let them cover the rock. Just make sure it is something you like, some of the green/brown palys can become invasive and sting other corals and they don't look nice at all. I have placed them from the sand all the way up top on frag racks.
scuba guy ron
New member
always acclimate your zos t new light by starting the on the bottom and gradually moving them up.
Contrary to the above statement IMO it is a misunderstanding that zoas like the water "dirty" what people are saying is that they like the water with higher nitrates. This just isnt true. What is true is that some (not all) zoas will tolerate some increased nitrates.
Your reefkeeping goal should always be to keep excess nitrates and phosphates as close to 0 as possible.
Contrary to the above statement IMO it is a misunderstanding that zoas like the water "dirty" what people are saying is that they like the water with higher nitrates. This just isnt true. What is true is that some (not all) zoas will tolerate some increased nitrates.
Your reefkeeping goal should always be to keep excess nitrates and phosphates as close to 0 as possible.
) are in a system there is higher growth than in fishless systems.i mean the fish im putting in the tank is a harlequin tusk a foxface and a volitan lionfish and by gradually moving them up like hopw long of time before i start moving them up and someone mention something about glueing them but is that right or do i just place on a rock and they latch on or something sorry for the questions im just trying to get as much info before i get into it
kichimark
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The foxface may be an issue. From what I read the orange spotted is a no go and the others are hit and miss. I have no experience with foxfaces but this is what I have read and heard from people that do. If you plan on getting any clams or shrimps your tusk will eat them for sure.
Regarding how long they need to stay in a certain spot on the bottom...for me I do it about a week. Other people I am sure do it different. You really want to find the place in your tank where they are healthiest. Here is a great article that is worth while to read.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-01/atj/index.php
As far as the gluing issue, I have done it a couple ways. If you are hard set on getting the above fish they can knock over small frags from time to time. If you can not securely wedge the plug/disk/rock in your rockwork you can epoxy it to the substrate or use some superglue. When I have done this I took the large rock out and glued my frag to it out of water then waited a minute or two then placed the rock back in. Do not worry about the zoas and palys being out in the couple minutes it takes to do this.
When it comes to lighting I have mine on for about 11 hours and that has worked well for me and my tank.
Feeding? well palys will take more meaty foods and I do like to feed mine really just because I like to see them close up with the food in the center. Zoas do not tend to show such a response but may still eat. I do not feed my zoas nor do a lot of people from what I read. For me they get the fish poo, light, and whatever they may catch when I am not looking.
Here is another thread worth reading.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1889961
FreakyFish
New member
I had a Foxface that would pick at my zoa's. I would rethink the Foxface. I have seen some that are just fine in a reef but mine would pick 5-6 polyps a day off my zoa's till I caught him. In a 180 that I didnt want to rip the rocks apart.... It wasnt a easy task to get him out.
