Wanting to start some zoas again, few ?'s

[kpk]

Hey guys it's been a few years since I have even had corals due to a move that pretty well killed everything. When I moved I changed over to T5, 14x39watt 72" fixture and I think it just railed on my stuff.

Anyways about 3 years later I have the same setup as you see in my signature, but need new bulbs, etc.

I'm wondering if I should keep my fixture as is and go with some lower par bulbs (??? which ones???) or just use about 8-10 of the slots and not all 14 bulbs?

Also I have a flat worm problem I need to fix, but it's a tough battle! Any recommendations for that?

Thanks for the help!

 

[reefer999]

I run T5's and my zoa's are doing good, I use ATI bulbs, as for the flatworms try to syphon out as many as you can before dosing with the FlatwormExit and when they're floating around try to take them out with a net that doesn't have big enough holes for them to go in and out, at the end make sure to have some carbon for the treatment.

 

[xabbasx7]

I use metal halides, but I think im going to switch over to t5's for better coloration!

 

[A. Grandis]

Hey guys it's been a few years since I have even had corals due to a move that pretty well killed everything. When I moved I changed over to T5, 14x39watt 72" fixture and I think it just railed on my stuff.

Anyways about 3 years later I have the same setup as you see in my signature, but need new bulbs, etc.

I'm wondering if I should keep my fixture as is and go with some lower par bulbs (??? which ones???) or just use about 8-10 of the slots and not all 14 bulbs?

Also I have a flat worm problem I need to fix, but it's a tough battle! Any recommendations for that?

Thanks for the help!

You can use 8, 10 or 14 bulbs. It's up to you, really.
Just make sure to place the zoas under the bulbs.
I like to use the more I can fit under the tank, so if was my set up I would go with 14.
My suggestion for the bulbs is a combination of ATI Blue Plus, ATI Aquablue Special and UVL 10.000K. You can use a GE daylight 6500K too.
I never tried the ATI coral Plus but many say it's a good bulb to add.

Please don't think zoas don't like good PAR. That is not true at all. Most of the species love light. They all need to be adapted to new environment, just like corals, and so when that is done properly they will be very happy.

I never had problems with flatworms but I know they can be gone after a while.
There are some fishes that can take care of that for you. I would avoid those medicines for worms in the tank!

Grandis.

 

[A. Grandis]

I use metal halides, but I think im going to switch over to t5's for better coloration!

I had my best growth and health zoas under metal halides in the past.
I had 2 X 250w 6500K and 2 fluorescent actinics over my 55gal!!!
So beautiful!!
T5s offer better spectrum combination choices and much less heat.
I pay less electricity with the t5s also.
Thats why I've changed.
It's very hot around here summer months!!

Grandis.