Problem with zoanthid

[keithadaniels]

I have had my 29g biocube since Nov 2013 and have accumulated several pieces of coral. One zoanthid colony that I have had for several months has been doing well and had started to spread to another rock and was flourishing. But just today the portion that spread is barely opened and the polyps look shriveled. Additionally one of my Florida ricordeas didn't fully open today and my duncan has not been fully extended for a little more than a week.

Torch, trumpet, other ricordeas and pipe organ in the tank are doing well so far and not showing signs of stress that I can see.

Here are pics of the zoanthids

and a close-up of the closed up and shriveled

Here's a pic of the duncan

Water parameters that I have test kits for:
Temp 79F
Phosphate 0
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
Ammonia 0
Calcium 480
pH 8.2
Alkalinity 6 dKH
Salinity 1.027

I am using the stock biocube PC lighting.

I am doing 5g water changes every 2 weeks.

I have been struggling to get the Alkalinity up but it has been steady at 6-7 for as long as I have had the coral in the tank.

Any thoughts?

 

[keithadaniels]

I'm not sure why the pics didn't show. Trying one more time.

 

[keithadaniels]

So it doesn't seem like the embeded photos feature is working. Here's a link to the flickr set http://www.flickr.com/photos/50258027@N00/sets/72157641885345305. Hopefully that will work.

 

[A. Grandis]

First bring alk up to 7 - 9.
"Salinity" could be about 1023 -1024.
Search for pests at night. Make sure fishes aren't nipping at the polyps.
Continue with a stable maintenance schedule.
I think the PCs are fine, if they have the blue part.

Good luck!

Grandis.

 

[keithadaniels]

First bring alk up to 7 - 9.
"Salinity" could be about 1023 -1024.
Search for pests at night. Make sure fishes aren't nipping at the polyps.
Continue with a stable maintenance schedule.
I think the PCs are fine, if they have the blue part.

Good luck!

Grandis.

Thanks Grandis. I will try what you recommend.

 

[A. Grandis]

The "salinity" of 1023 - 1024 was the better GENERAL RANGE I've found IME when keeping a variety of zoa species collected from different types of environment. If I would keep only one type I would have that specific salinity.

Do you know where your zoas are collected from?
More specifically: what was the salinity range of the environment they were collected from?

My recommendation of 1023 - 1024 is based on that, but 1026 wouldn't kill them.

I collect my own zoas and therefore I know where they come from. Some of them come from lower salinity environments, close to shore and river mouths or fresh water springs, while others come from the outer reefs.

Not a rule. Not a big deal either.
I just wanted to explain here my point to answer some of the private messages I've got.
I prefer to answer in public, so others could understand better.
:thumbsup:

Grandis.