Zoa's and SPS
- Thread starter Snaphook
- Start date
Peter Eichler
New member
Also, typical SPS tank conditions aren't great for zoanthids. You wuill find yourself with a constant balancing act in order to keep both happy.
Lpabsolute
New member
If they start to grow out of control you can always frag them if they get to close to the SPS. Good Luck
Peter Eichler
New member
I have both as well. And while my zoanthids grow and spread, the polyps tend to be a little smaller and I have to shade many of them. They do pretty well but I know they would do better in a tank with slightly higher nutrient levels and a little less intense lighting. I also feel my SPS would be a little more colored up with more agressive use of GAC and and phosphate remover.
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JGoslee
Premium Member
Why do you think they would do better in a higher nutrient tank? I seriously over skim my tank and I also run zeo. I have great growth and great color on all my zoa's. I also do shade some of my zoa's and palys but most of them are fine in high light. I just don't agree with zoa's needing dirty water and low light.
Peter Eichler
New member
I never said dirty water and low light...
I've seen and heard of plenty of full blow SPS tanks that are thriving have zoanthids slowly whither and some of the best and healthiest zoanthids I've seen often come from tanks where SPS browns out and grows slowly. It's no secret that the environment that zoanthids typically thrive in in nature is different from where SPS thrives.
I've seen and heard of plenty of full blow SPS tanks that are thriving have zoanthids slowly whither and some of the best and healthiest zoanthids I've seen often come from tanks where SPS browns out and grows slowly. It's no secret that the environment that zoanthids typically thrive in in nature is different from where SPS thrives.
WWC
Registered Member
Re: Zoa's and SPS
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1075348
this is what i do,look at my tank i keep the softies and lps on the bottom.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1075348
Peter Eichler
New member
That's great man, I and many others on here have thriving mixed reefs as well. I'm NOT saying it's not possible, or even difficult. Perhaps me saying it's a constant balancing act is a bit strong. But I'm not exactly breaking new ground when I say they like different conditions and it can be a balancing act to keep zoanthids and SPS thriving in the same tank together.
Peter Eichler
New member
Jesse, your inbox is full so I'll post my response to your PM here. I hope you don't mind...
No worries man. I was probably a little cranky when I responded since I've been setting up a prop tank all day. I just know with my latest tank it has taken me some time to find a balance where Zoanthids and SPS are at their happiest and showing good color/size/growth. As an example I had a little Byopsis outbreak months ago and I starved the tank (no feeding), let the chaeto go wild, skimmed a little wetter, ran ferous oxide and GAC, and the zoanthids went downhill a little while my SPS looked better than ever. Now that some times has passed (and there haven't been any signs of byopsis for months) and I'm ramping up the feeding of corals and fish the Zoanthids are looking great while the SPS are starting to brown up a little. I think I'm finding that happy medium. I also had my skimmer off for a few days a week or two ago and the zoanthids certainly were looking a little happier than usual.
Sometimes you can find that balance right away and not have to worry. I've had better luck in the past with not having to worry much about it in mixed reefs. But this current tank is really testing me as a hobbyist. But being tested and making things works is part of the fun of this hobby though
Take Care,
Peter
No worries man. I was probably a little cranky when I responded since I've been setting up a prop tank all day. I just know with my latest tank it has taken me some time to find a balance where Zoanthids and SPS are at their happiest and showing good color/size/growth. As an example I had a little Byopsis outbreak months ago and I starved the tank (no feeding), let the chaeto go wild, skimmed a little wetter, ran ferous oxide and GAC, and the zoanthids went downhill a little while my SPS looked better than ever. Now that some times has passed (and there haven't been any signs of byopsis for months) and I'm ramping up the feeding of corals and fish the Zoanthids are looking great while the SPS are starting to brown up a little. I think I'm finding that happy medium. I also had my skimmer off for a few days a week or two ago and the zoanthids certainly were looking a little happier than usual.
Sometimes you can find that balance right away and not have to worry. I've had better luck in the past with not having to worry much about it in mixed reefs. But this current tank is really testing me as a hobbyist. But being tested and making things works is part of the fun of this hobby though
Take Care,
Peter
DJ88©
Premium Member
I have a very mixed tank and my Zoas thrive as well so do my SPS, LPS, Clams and Softies.
I have zoas growing so fast I couldn't frag them fast enough.
As well have some SPS doing the same (well at the rate SPS can grow), Gorgonians taking over some parts of my tank and a yellow leather that dominates the upper left side. Add in a large Squamosa and other clams and I can honestly say that it's a pretty successful tank.
I have some SPS that are beating back some pink zoas I added a while back. Some kind of pavona. The Zoas seem much worse for wear. There is no white areas on the pavona shows no signs of damage at all. Now I am NOT saying ALL SPS can fight back. It would seem that some can. I have (for the most part) kept them separated as much as possible. But in time I am sure that will change.
You never know what will/won't work in your tank. If it works.. go for it I say.
I have zoas growing so fast I couldn't frag them fast enough.
As well have some SPS doing the same (well at the rate SPS can grow), Gorgonians taking over some parts of my tank and a yellow leather that dominates the upper left side. Add in a large Squamosa and other clams and I can honestly say that it's a pretty successful tank. I have some SPS that are beating back some pink zoas I added a while back. Some kind of pavona. The Zoas seem much worse for wear. There is no white areas on the pavona shows no signs of damage at all. Now I am NOT saying ALL SPS can fight back. It would seem that some can. I have (for the most part) kept them separated as much as possible. But in time I am sure that will change.
You never know what will/won't work in your tank. If it works.. go for it I say.
steelerguy
New member
I do understand what Peter Eichler is saying. I have some zoanthids that are nothing but brown when placed higher in the tank and develop a nice dark color with red and yellow tentacles when shaded some. I can't say I have a lot of experience, but there are a lot of zoos that don't like high light, they lose their color and looks pretty plain. There are others that love it, it is one of the fun things to do with zoos, play with their placement and see how they color up.
