preparing for my first zoa's

[cyclops23]

I know you guys are probably sick of this, but i have a placement question. i've read other threads, but my tank and lighting seems to be different than everyone elses'. I have a AGA 55g with 324 total watts T-5's. the T-5's dont have individual reflectors, just one behind them all, and i don't have room between the bulbs to put the reflectors in. the zoa's i bought are: 3 polyps Armor of God's, 2 Desert Fox polyps, and 4 Bam Bam orange polyps. I spent a lot of money on these and really don't want to screw up or have them lose their color. i know i'm going to have to figure it out myself, but i thought i would ask you guys and see what you think. BTW, they are originally under 250 watts MH. I won't get them until next week, I can't wait!

 

[msman825]

put them down low and start fresh, time will tell

 

[MarvinsReef]

Re: preparing for my first zoa's

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7805077#post7805077 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cyclops23
I know you guys are probably sick of this, but i have a placement question. i've read other threads, but my tank and lighting seems to be different than everyone elses'. I have a AGA 55g with 324 total watts T-5's. the T-5's dont have individual reflectors, just one behind them all, and i don't have room between the bulbs to put the reflectors in. the zoa's i bought are: 3 polyps Armor of God's, 2 Desert Fox polyps, and 4 Bam Bam orange polyps. I spent a lot of money on these and really don't want to screw up or have them lose their color. i know i'm going to have to figure it out myself, but i thought i would ask you guys and see what you think. BTW, they are originally under 250 watts MH. I won't get them until next week, I can't wait!

If they were mine, this is what I would do..

first off, I would FW dip them... I don't care who they came from, I always almost FW dip my newly acquired zoas.. AOG and Desert Fox are both palys and will not enjoy long FW dip so I recommend just dipping them for 30-45 secs and just shake vigorously thereafter.. the BamBams you can probably leave in the FW for a minute to 1 1/2 mins, then the shake thing..

then I would turn off the main lights and just have actinics on for the first day's photoperiod... then resume normal photoperiod...

I would also start them off in the bottom of the tank.. since they came from MH, I don't think they'll have a hard adjusting with your T-5's... but I would still put them on the sand bed to start out then move them up as they get acclimated with your lighting...

good luck and keep us posted..

Marvin

 

[cyclops23]

thanks fellas

 

[hexedagain]

I always start my new zoos on the sand bed. I move them according to how they are growing, reproducing, or not doing either.