New to Zoas/Palys- Need Some Pics/Advice

[gofor100]

Hello All,

I don't know if this is backwards at all since it seems that most people I talk to start with zoas and then expand to SPS, but I've been keeping SPS for a little while now (and have been pretty successful thus far), and am thinking about expanding to some nice Zoas/Palys to add something different to the tank. So I figured I would come here for some advice and recommendations.

1. I need some recommendations of nice looking zoas/palys- colors are key... I would prefer at least 2 contrasting colors/designs or a really nice looking blue, purple, or pink coloration. Anyone have any pics/names of some that I might find interesting, please post and I can probably find them locally (in CA).

2. In my research, it seems that some zoas prefer higher light, while others prefer medium light and will "melt" under intense lighting... is there a general rule of thumb with different colorations or is it similar to any other coral where you place at the bottom of the tank, and then slowly move it up in the tank until it seems happy? I figure that since I have two 250W MH (14,000K) on a standard 60 gallon, that they should be fine on the sandbed, but wasn't sure...

Thanks in advance for your help!

-Chad

 

[MikeandNicole]

1. There are hundreds if not thousand of zoas out there that cover a rainbow of colors (sometimes in one polyp). If you go to coralpedia.org and go to their zoa gallery they have a number of them and their names. You can go from there for finding them.

2. I have a 30g tank with a single 250w pendant and have zoas on the sand bed and also on a frag rack up near the top of the tank. Start them low and move them up just like any other coral.

 

[gofor100]

Awesome... thanks. I'll take a look at the website you referenced.

 

[Ethan_W]

zoas are easy to keep imo. i look for colors i really like at my LFSs and dont worry about names or anything in-particular. because half of the time they will just name something whatever they want and if it's unique or pretty they jack up the price.

i glue my frags onto rock that i want the zoas to grow colonies on and move them around to find a place they really like. mine stay at the bottom of my aquascaping right now. if they dont open up fully, then move them and try a new spot

 

[gofor100]

Thanks Ethan... I like your approach.

As with SPS, you'll find really nice pieces that are pretty cheap at the "none-the-wiser" LFS, but then you'll see the same piece that has a catchy name on the internet selling for 3 times as much.

The good thing is, I'm in Southern Cal just like you, so I have access to a bunch of local reefers that typically give some pretty good deals...

 

[GrouperGenius]

Hello All,


1. I need some recommendations of nice looking zoas/palys- colors are key... I would prefer at least 2 contrasting colors/designs or a really nice looking blue, purple, or pink coloration. Anyone have any pics/names of some that I might find interesting, please post and I can probably find them locally (in CA).

2. In my research, it seems that some zoas prefer higher light, while others prefer medium light and will "melt" under intense lighting... is there a general rule of thumb with different colorations or is it similar to any other coral where you place at the bottom of the tank, and then slowly move it up in the tank until it seems happy? I figure that since I have two 250W MH (14,000K) on a standard 60 gallon, that they should be fine on the sandbed, but wasn't sure...

Thanks in advance for your help!

-Chad

In an SPS dominant tank, Eagle eyes are hardy, pretty, and fairly common. Just keep in mind the fish you might have in a SPS tank might find zoas a bit tasty. Especially Angels.

As far as lighting, my best zoa tank was my 75 with 2-250 HQI Phoenix and 4 assorted T5 bulbs. Zoas top to bottom.