What do zoas look like when they melt?

[tjherman]

Could anybody who has experienced melting zoas please post photos? I'm interested in seeing exactly what melting looks like and how it progresses. I'm worried about my tiny frag that looks similar to purple deaths. :sad2:

 

[Fcamdog]

I wish I couldn't help you...but here are what used to be some nice Eagle Eyes...

Fcamdog

 

[Pufferpunk]

Newly purchased Tubb's Blues:

Melting:

After 3 months dosing vitamin C:

 

[Fcamdog]

Okay, I've only read titles, never read into how to does vitamin C. Since it worked for you I'm a little more interested. (Pics are so awesome).

What exactly does dosing vitamin C do?

Fcamdog

 

[Pufferpunk]

We have basically come to the conclusion that not only does it act as a carbon source (like dosing vodka or sugar), reducing nitrate & phosphate in the tank, but it also aids in the collagen production of cells, helping them to heal & grow.

Here's an article on what it can do for your fish & corals:
http://www.livingreefs.com/use-vitamin-c-t590.html

 

[tjherman]

Oh boy, they sure don't look good when they melt. Thanks for the photos -- I don't think that's what my zoas are doing.

Here's what the zoas look like when I got them about three months ago, last month, and today:

 

[scuba guy ron]

looks like they are bleaching. looks as if they are in need of light.

 

[tjherman]

Thanks, scuba guy ron, I'll move them closer to the light. I'd hate to lose these guys, they're pretty.

 

[Pufferpunk]

+1 on the bleaching.

 

[Timanator]

Going well

Starting south

Almost all gone

 

[Fishindude88]

I think they are bleaching, but if they wanted more light the polyps would be sticking upward, stretching for more light. Also the polyps would be larger, not smaller. I am thinking too much light. What kind of light are they under and where are they currently placed?

 

[Pufferpunk]

Tim, That's a fungus that needs to be brushed off with a toothbrush & dipped in Furan. VC won't help that.

 

[tjherman]

I think they are bleaching, but if they wanted more light the polyps would be sticking upward, stretching for more light. Also the polyps would be larger, not smaller. I am thinking too much light. What kind of light are they under and where are they currently placed?

They are under stock lighting in a Biocube 14. They're actually in a shadier location near the rock work. The polyps seem to be getting smaller and thinner. No other zoas in the tank are having issues.

 

[Pufferpunk]

When I kept mine in the shade, they got redder/maroon, rather than the deep purple they're supposed to be.

 

[Marchingbandjs]

thats a cool morph thought, id take maroon over purple

 

[Fishindude88]

They are under stock lighting in a Biocube 14. They're actually in a shadier location near the rock work. The polyps seem to be getting smaller and thinner. No other zoas in the tank are having issues.

Are you running any GFO? My purple deaths seem to like it lower down in the tank, but I don't think it is a placement issue anymore as you said they were in a shady location. If they wanted more light, they would have showed signs of light deprivation.

 

[tjherman]

No, there's a bag of Phosguard and Matrix in the back chambers but no GFO. I know the snails are in the habit of pooping near it. They've been bumped over a few times by said snails, wonder if it was enough to irritate the frag?

 

[Pufferpunk]

thats a cool morph thought, id take maroon over purple

Not a morph at all. They became their normal deep purple, when brought out of the shade & grown in the light for a while.

 

[Timanator]

I like that dark reddish color as well

 

[tjherman]

Good news! I moved the zoas back into the shade about 2" more and they are already darkening up and look less soft.