Paly opens up funny

[toronto_discus]

Rather than normal palys that open up like a bowl shape, one of my palys are opened like an umbrella. Is that because of too much /too little light? The colour is also more pale than other palys.

Thanks!

 

[ItzJustinN]

if it looks like an umbrella, and is more pale than other polyps,
its usually because its not getting enough light.

 

[aguila88psi]

I've been trying to figure out the whole umbrella syndrome myself for quite some time, for some reason my people eater zoas all had the umbrella syndrome within weeks of introduction to my tank, they would just explode/implode then melt away, so far I don't think it's a lighting issue but more of a water quality issue (high nitrates). I have no way of proving this theory as there are just way too many variables. I've had 10+ nitrates for a long time, all corals and SPS looked great to me so didn't bother lowering it drastically, just recently am at >.25ppm in Nitrates and the PPE zoas are looking way better, some have fully healed (my rdpe came back to life ). Could it be because I'm dosing vitamin C that cured the zoas? Or that dosing vitamin C also reduces nitrates and the coral is happier in low nitrate environment? Don't know but I think just keeping low nitrates is the way to go to avoid the umbrella syndrome with zoanthid corals.

 

[ItzJustinN]

zoanthids actually prefer dirtier water and i dont think nitrates will cause them to bubble like that.

 

[pufferpoison]

following....

 

[ruffyruff]

same here... i have some zoas that are like that too

 

[reefwars]

I've been trying to figure out the whole umbrella syndrome myself for quite some time, for some reason my people eater zoas all had the umbrella syndrome within weeks of introduction to my tank, they would just explode/implode then melt away, so far I don't think it's a lighting issue but more of a water quality issue (high nitrates). I have no way of proving this theory as there are just way too many variables. I've had 10+ nitrates for a long time, all corals and SPS looked great to me so didn't bother lowering it drastically, just recently am at >.25ppm in Nitrates and the PPE zoas are looking way better, some have fully healed (my rdpe came back to life ). Could it be because I'm dosing vitamin C that cured the zoas? Or that dosing vitamin C also reduces nitrates and the coral is happier in low nitrate environment? Don't know but I think just keeping low nitrates is the way to go to avoid the umbrella syndrome with zoanthid corals.

actually you nailed it

its mainly a cause of excess nutrients , be it readable on a test or not(consumed) phosphates and nitrates effect PE's


contrary to popular belief zoas dont prefer "dirtier water" they tolerate it , any sps guy with a well grown tank will tell you better growth will happen with low nutrients, bright lights and good flow.

lighting will play a huge part in color , but flow and water quality and the ability to keep parameters filled and stable is what results in healthy looking polyps with the fastest growth

how you decide to keep your nutrients at bay and keep elements stable is on you and to each their own

 

[aguila88psi]

Thanks , I also think with dirtier water you get less light penetration or higher light absorption through the water, deepwater zoanthids like lower light so the idea of zoanthids liking dirtier water could still be valid but in an indirect form.

 

[reefwars]

Thanks , I also think with dirtier water you get less light penetration or higher light absorption through the water, deepwater zoanthids like lower light so the idea of zoanthids liking dirtier water could still be valid but in an indirect form.

yeah theres a grey area when someone says they like dirty water , i think all corals prefer a small amount of nutrients and require them but too much will stunt growth and can cause bacterial infections , same with too low will also cause bacterial infections.


ideally i like to keep my nitrates around 0-5ppm and my phosphates at 0.002-0.004

of course with so many species each will differ from the previous and their needs are slightly different

funny you mentioned the deepwaters (although how deep they are is questionable) as i find they grow great in my grow system which runs numerous 80w t5's and is only a 12" high system , i dont house liverock in the tank so theres no where for them to hide in the shade .

 

[A. Grandis]

Nice posts!
Yep, agree with the gray area of nutrients.
I would avoid call the water "dirty" though. That's what makes people confused.

When nutrients are too low zoas don't do well, if not target fed.
But when water is actually "dirty" is because nutrients are too high, I would call. Not good.

Umbrella syndrome could be so many things...
Low light, too much light, low flow, particle food ingested, stress related to water chemistry, predation, etc... each case is a case.

When polyps is pale and showing umbrella shape, could be too much light or low nutrient levels are too low, or both.
The presence of GFO could cause that sometimes.

Normally not a big deal, specially when polyps aren't pale.
In my tank they come back to normal in a day or 2.

Nice shots, reefwars!!!

Grandis.