Zoa Explosion!

[Jacuzzi]

So I have decided for a while that I want my tank dominated by Zoas. Tank setup is a 40 breeder TruVu aquasystem so no sump just a built in wet dry which I have filled with live rock and macro algae. I have one koralia 2 and one koralia 3 for water circulation. My lighting is a current USA 2 x 150 watt 10k halides and 4 x 39 watt T5's. (yes its alot of light) I really want to have my Zoas spread quickly so I am looking for any advice on how to do so. I already have a few small colonies of about 15 heads each and the orange ones seem to grow the fastest so far. Does 10k halides make them grow faster or can I go with 20k for color? I do weekly water changes of about 5-10 gallons and I run carbon all the time. Any help is appreciated thanks all.

 

[A. Grandis]

... Does 10k halides make them grow faster or can I go with 20k for color? ...

Color temperature is more for your personal taste. With halides you can't go wrong. Just choose the color you like.
Just make sure you get the correct light amount for the type system you're running, otherwise you're wasting electricity.
For a 40 breeder, one 150W 10.000K halide with 2 actinic blue T5s is more than enough with zoas!
You can use the 4 T5s and no halides also.

... I do weekly water changes of about 5-10 gallons and I run carbon all the time. Any help is appreciated thanks all.

Don't need carbon. Just keep the water changes and try to get a good skimmer, and lightly feed invert food to the system.

Zoas' growths are different from species to species.
Enjoy.

Grandis.

 

[mscarpena]

I have had some spread like weeds and have had some not sprout a new head in a year or two. Try to get tank raised ones so you know they will grow.

 

[ehren78]

I've had the best growth with 20000K XM HQI DE bulbs, but you already have T5 Actinic supplementation so just keep the 10000K. Try 14K Phoenix bulbs when you get a chance as well.

 

[Friday Night]

They dont need crazy amount of light to grow... light is one factor of growth... to much light will result in bleaching or morphing... keep a stable water chem... and let them do thier thing.

 

[A. Grandis]

They dont need crazy amount of light to grow...

Yep, they don't.

... to much light will result in bleaching or morphing...

Depends. They bleach if the changes are sudden. The actual thing is adaptation for new light (environment), not "morphing".

... keep a stable water chem... and let them do thier thing.

:thumbsup:

Grandis.

 

[ccombs70]

I finally switched from my xm 10k to phoenix 14k. Loved the growth with the xm's. The tank is more appealing with the phoenix though. My zoas are growing just was fast as they ever were. Nutrients in the water are my biggest concern. Over skimming will hurt them. Easier to do than ya think.

 

[BusyB]

I wouldn't run your halide any more than 5 hours a day & keep your T-5s on for 8-12hrs. you should have nice results