all of wy zoos are slowly dissapearing, why? water is good other corals are fine except maybe my toadstool leather it has not opened fully for 3mth about the time my zoos starting to dissapear. i have a 55 gallon with sump, fuge, skimmer, powerheads and a 2 x 150w halides and 2 dual 96 watt actinics. everything is working well. i don't have a uv filter. someone told me i may need one cause of the halides will burn the corals is this true? or do any of you have any other ideas. i have a really huge zoo rock that i don't want to lose but i think i am losing the battle. help.
zoos
- Thread starter waymack97
- Start date
musty baby
New member
A uv filter is not essential in any way and has absolutely nothing to do with lighting your corals.
Have you looked into your tank when it's dark? There are polychaete worms that do devour zoanthids and attack other softies.
Have you looked into your tank when it's dark? There are polychaete worms that do devour zoanthids and attack other softies.
got2lb
New member
I'm sure you have plenty of light. How long have the zoas been in the tank that are dissappearing? Usually they'll bleach out first.
I just upgraded my lights from Normal Output shoplights to 250Watt halides and I have some zoas 6" under the water and most of them have gained polyps in the last week i've had the halides not receded.
I'd be more willing to bet that something is eating them. There are some nasties out there that will eat your zoas.
Sundial snails
On top of a dime
Zoanthid-eating Nudibranchs:
Zoanthid eating spiders:
Now remember these things are incredibly small and almost impossible to see, so you have to look very closely!
I just upgraded my lights from Normal Output shoplights to 250Watt halides and I have some zoas 6" under the water and most of them have gained polyps in the last week i've had the halides not receded.
I'd be more willing to bet that something is eating them. There are some nasties out there that will eat your zoas.
Sundial snails
On top of a dime
Zoanthid-eating Nudibranchs:
Zoanthid eating spiders:
Now remember these things are incredibly small and almost impossible to see, so you have to look very closely!
overanalyzer
New member
had the nudi when I lived in KC .... they come out right when it is darkest and will cruise the whole tank... my daughter spotted it and I sucked it out but not until it ate 3 colonies.... after that .... nothing gone .... they are deadly! to zoos anyhow
leeweber85
New member
When you say UV filter... do you mean a UV glass filter for the halides? or a typical water UV sterilizer? If you're talking about a UV filter for your lights then YES you do need one, as you have DE lights which it is required for. A piece of tempered glass should work.
mistermikev
New member
nudibranchs are deadly. think I'm kidding? Do a search on paleotoxin. The nudis that eat zoos hold the toxin from the zoos inside... there is a story somewhere here about a guy who squashed a zoo eating nudin and whent to the hospitol.
It can affect you even if you touch a zoo.
I had some neon green nudis(reef bunnies?). Never could keep zoos until I got rid of em.
It can affect you even if you touch a zoo.
I had some neon green nudis(reef bunnies?). Never could keep zoos until I got rid of em.
leeweber85
New member
Do you have a picture of your lighing? Usually DE halides have a piece of glass that fits perfectly over the reflector. Glass tops would help if they are tempered, But I'd recommend getting a couple pieces cut so the light overflowing into the room won't be as harmful to your eyes/skin.
leeweber85
New member
definitely. That's strange why they would have plastic. Did you buy the fixture brand new like that?
terryricke
New member
I'm having the exact same problem with my zoo's and a few other corals since installing my new T5 light fixture from Aquatinics. I have a small rock for fraging with 7 zoos that hasn't grown in weeks.
The fixture came with a clear plastic splash guard so you may be onto something. I really like the look the light gives the tank but ever since installing it things seemed to have stopped growing or slowed dramatically especially the zoos.
If we replace the plastic with glass should we take any precautions like shorter photo periods? Where is the best place to pick up tempered glass. Can it bought to fit in the fixture or does it only come in precut sizes?
Terry
The fixture came with a clear plastic splash guard so you may be onto something. I really like the look the light gives the tank but ever since installing it things seemed to have stopped growing or slowed dramatically especially the zoos.
If we replace the plastic with glass should we take any precautions like shorter photo periods? Where is the best place to pick up tempered glass. Can it bought to fit in the fixture or does it only come in precut sizes?
Terry
ok it is glass. very thin, had to wait until lights went off. i am going to put zoas in fuge with 2 daul 65 watt white and atinics. will check for pests. i have seen a lot of like cob web stuff around them last night but no critters. my sun coral and candycane and mushrooms are all ok. just the zoas and leather?
leeweber85
New member
Terry you shouldn't need a UV filter for t-5s (last I knew). perhaps they are just too bright and the zoas need time to acclimate to them. Have you checked your Magnesium, Ca, and Alk lately?
terryricke
New member
I wonder if my problem isn't a chemical one... My testing kits are pretty old and should be updated. Thanks lee
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