Zoa Newbie Q's

[debincalif]

Ok, so this is the second time I've done a nano reef... but it's been about 6 yrs or so since I broke down my previous tank. The only corals I kept were mushrooms and ricordeas.

This time around I want to focus on corals more than fish, but since I'm only running PC lighting, I'll put in mushrooms and ricordeas again... maybe some LPS... but also I'm now fascinated by zoas!

I just picked up a couple small colony frags at the LFS. One is eagle eye, which is doing great and looks very healthy... probably 15 or so polyps.

The other was sold to me as purple people eaters, but it's obviously NOT. This colony frag has probably 20-25 polyps and they're pretty small (smaller than the eagle eyes)... the fringe/skirt is a reddish/brownish/purpleish and the centers are bright green, hard to tell the color of the mouth because they're so tiny. I've looked all through these threads and online, but can't get an ID on these guys. Any suggestions on websites that might give me an ID? My camera doesnt' take good macro pics... but I'll try to post some pics later.

Anyway, here are some general questions.

1) I've read that it's best to keep zoas near the bottom of the tank and in a low flow area. Under standard biocube pc lighting, would they be happy higher up in the tank?

2) I know that these are photosynthetic, but what - if anything - should I be feeding them in addition? And just how do you feed them anyway?

3) I love the look of some of the tanks I've seen where the zoas grow together as a garden, encrusting the rocks. Will this normally happen in time, or are there any tricks or tips to help that process along?

Any other advice is welcome!

 

[A. Grandis]

Welcome back!

Ok, so this is the second time I've done a nano reef... but it's been about 6 yrs or so since I broke down my previous tank. The only corals I kept were mushrooms and ricordeas.

This time around I want to focus on corals more than fish, but since I'm only running PC lighting, I'll put in mushrooms and ricordeas again... maybe some LPS... but also I'm now fascinated by zoas!

I just picked up a couple small colony frags at the LFS. One is eagle eye, which is doing great and looks very healthy... probably 15 or so polyps.

The other was sold to me as purple people eaters, but it's obviously NOT. This colony frag has probably 20-25 polyps and they're pretty small (smaller than the eagle eyes)... the fringe/skirt is a reddish/brownish/purpleish and the centers are bright green, hard to tell the color of the mouth because they're so tiny. I've looked all through these threads and online, but can't get an ID on these guys. Any suggestions on websites that might give me an ID? My camera doesnt' take good macro pics... but I'll try to post some pics later.

In regards to zoa ID you can take a look and/or post here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=484

Anyway, here are some general questions.

1) I've read that it's best to keep zoas near the bottom of the tank and in a low flow area. Under standard biocube pc lighting, would they be happy higher up in the tank?

Those statements aren't true. Zoas can be placed, and actually most species prefer, well illuminated tanks with a decent, often strong, water flow, like SPS corals. Medium water flow would be acceptable. Still it's hard to define water flow without measurements and you'll have to understand that.
I normally don't recommend PCs because of the heat and the lack of spectrum combination. Would they be ok with the PCs? Of course. What about higher up on the rocks? Great, no problem. There is a necessity for light adaptation and I assume you already know about that part.

2) I know that these are photosynthetic, but what - if anything - should I be feeding them in addition? And just how do you feed them anyway?

Yes, you should target feed them small amounts of particle coral foods (only what they can consume) once a week. Turn off your pumps while target feeding. I would recommend Reef Roids, Coral Frenzy and Fauna Marin zoa food as the best foods I've tried until now. Many people will tell you that you don't need to feed them. It's up to you.
Here is a link, in case you would like to learn some about coral food...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2167572

That way you can decide for yourself.

3) I love the look of some of the tanks I've seen where the zoas grow together as a garden, encrusting the rocks. Will this normally happen in time, or are there any tricks or tips to help that process along?

No, no tricks. I can give you tips: keep your parameters stable and make sure you do a good maintenance schedule. Zoanthids in general are hardy organisms and can tolerate a wide range of environment changes in the wild, but in captivity they do better when there is stability.

Once more, target feeding them you have better chances to obtain healthier zoas with a better growth/reproduction rate. Again, many will tell you their zoas aren't fed and are exploding with growth and reproducing like rabbits. I truly believe that those statements come from people that never did fed their zoas the right size food and quality, or they overfed them and had algae problems, abandoning the good habit because of that.

Any other advice is welcome!

Stay away from the cartoon named zoas with big price tag$!
Make sure you have a good skimmer.
Change your bulbs when needed.

I sure hope others will come to give some more tips...

Grandis.

 

[goldenfiji]

1. For a small tank with low flow, anywhere is fine. They will spread out everywhere.
2. Paly need to be fed. I fed mine with cyclopeeze and grounded shrimp once or twice a week. Sometimes I mixed in salmon eggs.
3. If they are happy, they will multiply like crazy. Some will multiply faster than the others and you will probably want to trim the fast growing ones if that happens.

 

[saltyjo]

I have a tank full of all different Zoas and Palys about 35 different types! "A Grandis" is right, stay away from the cute names with the high $$. IMO my cheap ones do really great and my purple hornets which I paid 75$ a polyp for havent multiplied not one polyp in over 2 months!
In addition to 250 watt MH and T-5 lighting I feed mine really well frozen cycopees, bbs, mysids shrimp and OVA. I have an oversized skimmer (that gets turned off during feeding time)and am really good with water changes. When I feed I thaw a cube or two of food in a cup of tank water. Then I strain everthing in a 53 micron mesh filter that I have from growing rotifers. The strained food I rinse back off the filter back into a cup with a little tank water in it. Then I use a long reach Kent Nautilus Sea Squirt feeder (like a really long turkey baster) This way I dont have to put my hands in the tank and I suck some of the food and water up. I gently squirt some of the food just above my zoa and paly colonies and watch them eat. Always make sure you wear gloves when handling these guys!!!! I wear long ones when cleaning the tank, fragging, and any kind of touching all all.
Good luck with your tank i hope this helps!

 

[debincalif]

Thanks for the great information!

Grandis, I've read several of your posts about feeding - great info!!!

I have a general question for you (or anyone else) about feeding. I haven't picked up any food yet, but will be doing so this weekend. Is the Reef Roids or Coral Frenzy a good food to feed my other corals? So far my tank has zoas, mushrooms (regular and hairy), ricordeas, pink anthelia (was a hitch hiker), and I'll be picking up a wall hammer this weekend.

Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated!

 

[A. Grandis]

My pleasure, debincalif! I really enjoy learning about the zoas.
Good to know that you like read about feeding the zoas!!

Well, I know that Reef Roids will be beneficial to all corals. It's purely tiny zooplankton!!! You mix with tank water and let it drop on them with the pumps off. It's a "fine pinkish powder".

Coral Frenzy is another coral food that must taste really good! I do believe that all the corals would take advantage of both products. Very good quality.
I'm so happy that others here in the forum told me about those and other foods. I don't find them locally and need to order. It's very worthy!!

A lot of people here told me that another great food is Reef Chili. I didn't have the pleasure to try that yet, but it's nutritious qualities are probably one of the best, if not the best. They say the corals respond really well to that also!! You could try... Next time I order things I'll try bring that in.

I've noticed better colors on my zoas in a week after feeding Reef Roids for the first time.
I really like both foods very much! I believe in diversity of foods to provide a great variety of nutrients, as possible.
It's amazing to see the zoa's response and to know that they really are digesting both foods.

I don't have any corals besides a local soft coral (Sarcothellia spp.). I believe it eats some of the food particles I give to the zoas and I could notice they growing in size after I began to offer Reef Roids to the system. They close when I feed them but their mouth is just too little and I can't tell for sure but believe they eat the small food particles.
Articles about SPS feeding proves that they enjoy so... feed them!

I add couple drops of amino acids to the food now, and add drops to the water 3 times a week close to the powerhead. I use vitamins also, but very small quantities (Brightwell's).

Please keep in mind that feeding the organisms in the system is not everything. The most important is to make sure the system gets it's basic maintenance and it's nutrient balance is achieved correctly. That is the worse mistake people do when try to feed the zoas and corals. everything counts: lights, food, water chemistry and water flow, partial water changes, etc...

Another great way to see the results of zoa's feeding is here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1896006

If you didn't read the above thread yet, please prepare yourself because the pictures are really graphic and a torture for your eyes! :fun5: Please read about his feeding regimen. I don't do that way, but it's very interesting to read.
I wish we had such amazing zoas around here!!

Hope my posts about feeding aren't boring for some people because they are kind of repetitive about my methods and foods I use. :hmm5:

I do not sell coral foods nor zoas, so... :frog:

So I would say yes, go ahead and feed the zoas, and the corals as well!!
You won't regret!!!
:thumbsup:

Grandis.

 

[debincalif]

Thanks Grandis... you rock! :beer:

 

[A. Grandis]

You're very welcome!
Have fun!
:beer:

Grandis.

 

[debincalif]

Oh, you know I will! I'm drooling over some zoas on Cultivated Reef... and some nice colonies on Liveaquaria Diver's Den.

I'll post how it goes with the feeding. I plan on picking up some food at the LFS, but will also order some online that you suggested.

 

[A. Grandis]

:thumbsup:

Grandis.