Want your thoughts on placement

[mallorieGgator]

So, I've read that the longer the stalk on a zoa/paly and the larger the polyp, the lower the lighting and flow but the smaller the polyp and the shorter the stalk, the higher the lighting and flow it the animal can handle. I've tested this and found it true in my tank with my livestock. Just want to hear your experiences and thoughts on this.

 

[sneeyatch]

My experience is that zoanthids handle and enjoy higher, bright lighting while paly's do better with moderate / moderately lower light. Both enjoy good flow.

 

[MUCHO REEF]

A bump for Mallorie's thread. Anyone?

 

[mallorieGgator]

Your thoughts Mucho?

 

[kichimark]

I am actually doing two experiments with three different kinds of zoanthid/palys. I can not judge yet nor will know significant results yet on the larger ones. I do know overall in my tank with random placement my "shorter" zoanthids do like more flow and generally more light (higher in the rock work). I got an experiment going on now with some green small zoanthids( have small skirts and low stalks) in regards to flow that has been going on for ~3 months. They are both placed on the same level but with one in low flow and the other medium/high flow. The one in higher flow has grown more at least 2.5 fold while the other maybe 1.5.

I do got some button polyps placed on branching rock in a low flow area and they seem to enjoy this site and are just beautiful. Looks beautiful the way they are moving up the branches.

 

[mallorieGgator]

Thanks! I'd love to see results as your experiment goes on! What I have found is that my micro zoas like higher flow and medium light (they have small skirts). My larger zoas like medium light and medium flow (these have longer skirts). My medium size zoas with a medium skirt length are liking medium-higher light with a medium flow. My medium zoas with very short skirts like lower medium flow and lower light. Just what I've found so far with the placement in me tank.

 

[kichimark]

Thats awesome Mallorie. Are you seeing good growth on all the colonies?

 

[mallorieGgator]

I have seen great growth on all of my colonies but I'm not sure if it's from the placement or if it's because I got my own RO/DI and mix my own good quality salt now VS. buying mixed water from the LFS.

 

[chucktd321]

I have these very long stalked palys that grew very well until i got my vortech which had a perfect spot near the long stalked palys (so the flow of my tank went from sporatic with a few koralias to one vortech) and the palys have yet to sprout another baby. So yes the flow on them had a direct impact

 

[kichimark]

Hi Chuck, do you have any other zoanthids in the tank that are showing a response?

 

[mallorieGgator]

Oh, I should also add that I've seen great skirt extension since I added a 2nd power head into the tank. So I think since the flow is more random, things are doing better. Does anyone care to show some pictures of the placement of some of the zoas and palys so people can get an idea of what we mean by the different sizes of zoas. One person's medium zoa may be another persons large zoa.

 

[kichimark]

That is an excellent idea Mallorie. We should first do a poll on what is small/medium/large because as you said it can be different from person to person.

 

[mallorieGgator]

How do I add a poll? Or should we start a new thread? Maybe a new thread. You want to do it?

 

[kichimark]

oh man i dont know on this site haha. Gotta go in a few minutes. If one isn't up tomorrow I can start one. If you want to though I will not fight you .

 

[chucktd321]

not as near as extreme... however i have noticed that many of my zoas don't seem to really show too much of a difference with flow only light, whereas the palys have a lot more response to flow and light. It would be interesting for someone to do a experiment and have a control and moderate the flow and light on a same variation

 

[kichimark]

It would be interesting for someone to do a experiment and have a control and moderate the flow and light on a same variation

already in progress.

 

[MUCHO REEF]

So, I've read that the longer the stalk on a zoa/paly and the larger the polyp, the lower the lighting and flow but the smaller the polyp and the shorter the stalk, the higher the lighting and flow it the animal can handle. I've tested this and found it true in my tank with my livestock. Just want to hear your experiences and thoughts on this.

Hey Mallorie, my apologies for the late reply, didn't see this till now.

There's an old saying, "A willow can withstand and survive a hurricane as it is flexible and able to bend under such forceful winds. Yet it's the oak tree with it's thick rigid trunk which snaps under the same winds of destruction."

While this can be applied to one's character in life, it is also applicable with zoanthids in that it is true the short stub like zoas can not withstand the higher currents. So I agree with you. They will indeed retract with the slightest disurbance. They are not flexible and have the inability to move and sway like the longer stem polyps which is like the willow. There are numerous writings which also support this and many have witnessed this over the years in aquaria.

Placement is so important. All zoanthids and palythoas are no alike. It is one of the biggest myths out there. There are basic fundamental requirements, then there are those picky one you simply have to find that sweet spot in your tank which they like. It can be achieved by making no more than 3 moves within a month of arrival. Continuous moving is stressful and will only serve to delay or stunt growth or the settling in period. High, med, low placment, and medium to high flow, when you find it, you'll know as the colony will tell you by its appearance. All things being equal, your parameters must also be in check. You have to find the sweet spot. Some will create an entire tank full of sweet spots with random and chaotic flow patterns. Often it can be found in obvious places as I found a crazy one in my tank which a particular colony loved. See the link below.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1067486&highlight=sweet+spot+mucho

Mucho Reef