Zoa slowly Shrinking

[Jrbutitta]

Hi all,

I have a 8g aqueon evolve that I have been running for 8 months. I have two true clowns, a 4 line wrass , small hermit crab, peppermint shrimp and a snail. I have 3 zoa colonies , One radioactive dragon eye, 1 Green implosion, and 1 tomahawk colony.

My lighting consists 1-2 bulb mini t-5 with 9 inch bulbs 50/50 daylight 6500k and a true blue actinic. I also have the stock LED placed solely over the zoas for extra lighting. 12 hours of total light.

My problem is that in recent weeks I have noticed my zoas have shrunk significantly and have stopped growing all together. The green implosion haven't shrunk yet but they have stopped growing. I feed them cyclopeeze on average once every two weeks. They have maintained their color well but for the life of me I cannot figure out why they look very long and spindly and are not as exuberant as they once were.

My nitrates sit at 40 ppm since the tank has been running 8.0 ph. 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites.

I do have bristol worms and small asteria star fish in my tank but I have yet to see the star fish eat any of the zoas. I don't have aptasia because my peppermint shrimp eats them.

What could be the cause ? I will post pics tomorrow when I get to my computer if needed. Please help!

 

[Jrbutitta]

I could really use some advice guys.. I've done a lot of research and can't figure out anything. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[A. Grandis]

Bring nitrates down. Remove hermits, asteria stars and bristol worms.
You could improve your light and the water flow besides target feeding for the zoas to get healthier.
Please do a search for the feeding...
Amino and vitamins could help some.
Make sure there is no predators and/or infection going on.
Make sure you follow a good maintenance schedule and keep params stable.
Alk? Temp? etc...
Pics, please.
Sorry for the fast post...

Grandis.

 

[bubonic]

Thats 2 many fish imo for a 8 gal. That would explain the nitrate levels. I would step up water changes a bit to bring down trates nothing to drastic just a lil more frequent or increse % a bit to slowly bring it down. There could be a pest search zoanthid eating spiders/nudibranch. The stars, hermit, or worms can be irratents but shouldnt be the cause.

 

[Jrbutitta]

I appreciate the posts guys, however, the nitrates have been at 40ppm since the tank was running with nothing in it for 6 months straight. I slowley added the fish. They have not bumped the nitrates as I have had them in since march snd the nitrates have stayed true at 40ppm. They are doing exceptionally well.. I do weekly 25% water changes with RODI water. The only problem I see is the zoas. Sorry no pics yet I will revisit this and show you the problem when I get to a computer. I believe a have some irritation. I would like some thoughts on placing trace elements in the tank. I have considered buying a biocube protein skimmer and also using some cheato with a submersible LED light to reduce the nitrates. But in all honesty I'm not worried about the nitrates.

 

[Jrbutitta]

I'm more worried about the pests Grandis... Like you said I would like to get rid of them but all the research I've done has eluded me. I get conflicting accounts of weather or not the worms and astarina starfish are bad or not.. So I will attemp to trap using panty hose and get back to you on the results. I wouldn't mind removing the peppermint shrimp and adding some harlequin shrimp to eat the star fish. I do not have nudibranches thank god. Or any spiders. This didn't happen overnight so I'm assuming it won't be fixed over night. Thanks for your insight and patients. I am going to post pics soon so you all have a better idea of what I'm dealing with. Thanks a bunch everyone!

 

[seamonkey84]

Too many fish, tank isn't even a full 8 gallon let alone the display area. I have the same tank, with two immature clowns, and that I feel is pushing it, I do have other larger tanks to move them and rbta to. The wrass really should have at least a 20 long for the active swimmer. As for the shrinking zoas, could be too much light if it's a deep water species, it is a shallow tank. I have mine lit with a par38 from LEDtric and my zoas are towards the edge and some in the middle, with a Sps mini colony in the center as a canary for water quality.

There are actually two rbta on the rock, one is still pooping/deflate cycle and the other is comming out of it.

As far as possible pests, do a dip in revive or Rx if you expect predatory snail/nudibranch, watch out for egg strands. Otherwise a 50/50 peroxide/tank water dip for 5 mins will get rid of most bacterial/fungal infection they may have, done it wtb all my zoas, acans and rics for algae and fungal rot.

 

[Jrbutitta]

here are some pictures maybe they can help. thanks for the post seamonkey.

 

[KafudaFish]

1. Change your bulbs.
2. Change your lighting system if that does not make a difference.
3. You didn't say anything about flow so flow and your lights could make an impact.
4. Work on your nitrate levels.

 

[seamonkey84]

The stock pump is ok but depending on your rockwork and direction of flow, your get alot of dead spots. I also run a K nano 250 for added flow (almost too much). The stock lighting is weird when it comes to daylight, it's not enough yet it makes the corals "cringe" in my tank. I use it for night lighting only just before bed, actually I'm using the light from the evolve 2 I upgraded from.
Oh, your pic the polyps are stretching, need more light on them and prob more flow. Stop spot feeing zoas in that tank, fish poo is enough, do more frequent water changes and feed the fish just enough. Though with a high energy wrasse that would be difficult to balance in such a small tank. Get some chemi pure elite to stuff in the filter compartment. As for filter, either clean the pad or floss every few days or get rid of it all together (if you haven't already).
I'm currently doing 50% change out of the display one a week to keep my nems and corals happy. As long as you match salinity and temp you can do bigger changes. I always have a few gallons mixed in a bucket with a powerhead and heater.

 

[A. Grandis]

Bring nitrates down. Remove hermits, asteria stars and bristol worms.
You could improve your light and the water flow besides target feeding for the zoas to get healthier.
Please do a search for the feeding...
Amino and vitamins could help some.
Make sure there is no predators and/or infection going on.
Make sure you follow a good maintenance schedule and keep params stable.
Alk? Temp? etc...
Pics, please.
Sorry for the fast post...

Grandis.

After the picture you've posted I'll add more to the above...

I would get coral foods like Reef Roids and Coral Frenzy. They are the best foods I've tried to date. Do a target feeding with pumps off. Your polyps still have good chance to be robust and colorful in a month or two.

Grandis.

 

[seamonkey84]

I only spot feed my LPS, ricordea and nems now. Some zoas have feeding response, some don't. I've had sows growing like crazy in my Sps tank that i dont feed, but low nutrience tank starves my acans unless I feed them.

 

[goldenfiji]

Have you checked your I2 level? I2 is essential to their survival.

 

[ilovetang]

wow, very nice acan frag!