Poor Water Quality = Melting Zoas??

[ReefWho?]

Ok my water may not be that great. All my zoas use to do good before I upgraded my tank. I had a 35g tank with a good hob after I upgraded to a 50g with a sump and a oversized skimmer. My nitrates went up to like 30 tested with Ap test kit. It seems my skimmer hasnt pulled much gunk out over the past few months and I have watched my zoanthids close and melt away. Could high nitrates cause them to die off? All results are obtained through AP test kits.

Alk-8
Ph-8.2
Nitrate 30
Phost .5

 

[650-IS350]

Do a couple water changes.... when you upgraded tanks, did you also upgrade to stronger lighting?

 

[ReefWho?]

Lighting is the same, no difference
5x 36watt t5s
3 aqua blue +
2 Aqua special

The only change was tank, and skimmer. The skimmer I have is a octo extreme 160. I think its overkill, most of the gunk gets stuck on the neck. And even with water changes it doesnt take long before the nitrates go back up. I am curious if high nitrates would cause them to melt.
Even the hardest zoas melt, radio active dragons :/

 

[650-IS350]

did you use the old sand from your old tank?

 

[StillerNat]

i had a ton of zoas melt cause of alk swings, if they are staying closed up they could be getting harmed.
i know zoas like a little dirty tank and i do over feed a bit to keep them happy so i dont think its the nitrates fault. zoas are tough and can take a lot.

 

[lbaldrey]

+1 on the Alk swings...lost a 100+ colony of Great gatsby's just from that...turned into wax

 

[650-IS350]

nutrient rich water yes, dirty water- not really and not all polyps do