Zoanthids being a big PIA!

[beeguiles]

My zoas have been being a pain in the ass for a few weeks now. Let me elaborate on how. For some unknown reason the ones that do open don't open fully like they used to and some just plain won't open. All my parameters are in check. Ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate 5. Temp is 77. I also have green Birdsnest which is fine and candy canes that are fine. I have a n aquaclear 70 filter with just rubble and a sponge that gets cleaned regularly. Also have a koralia 240. I am running a 24-36in marineland reef capable led fixture that I used to have on my 29g. Idk what the problem is. Everything was growing at a good pace and looked happy as can be and now they look like crap. My magician palys look good tho.. No pests. I've inspected all the zoas for hours and having seen a thing day or night and I even dipped them and still not opening. Im at my witts end. Sometimes the zoas will open during the night with the moonlights on but not during the day.. Should I be adding some London supplement to the tank? Are they. It getting enough nutrients?

 

[Mandarin66]

Maybe flow too high? Dunno just a guess

 

[FishyReef]

Britt, I wish I knew what to tell you :( I guess the good news is that it doesn't look like they are melting. Did they close up when you switched lights? Maybe they are just still adjusting?

 

[beeguiles]

I switched lights months ago and they have been fine and opening all this time up until about three weeks ago :( I'm stumped as well

 

[Cheeser]

Are u using tap water? How long are ur lights on? A vitamin c supplement might help.

 

[beeguiles]

Okay here is what's weird. I woke up a couple times during the night last night and figured I'd take a couple pics of the zoas and how they act at night.

These were I'd say around 3-4am

And these were around 6am

And around noon they are closed up again..

 

[beeguiles]

Are u using tap water? How long are ur lights on? A vitamin c supplement might help.

7 hours of white and blue LEDs then it turns off for a few hours and then from 1 am thru the night the moonlights are on. Yes I do use tap water. Have been using tap water since the beginning and haven't had an water related problems. 93 is fine and going strong with the same water. And a guy who lives 2 seconds down the road uses tap and his zoas are perfect.

 

[Kelz88]

Phosphates maybe? Or if your PH is to low maybe that could be it... Not really sure tbh

 

[RockStacker]

Have these zoas been in the same tank under the same lights before and were opening normally?
I am not seeing any signs of physical injuries on the bodies so one thought would be that they are not used to the new lighting if it was changed.
The lights might be too strong for them - they will eventually adjust but it could take time.

I still have two playthoa colonies that I brought into my 100gallon tank from my 55 gallon that are still sulking. I do see them opening partially at night.


Also, I would test the pH and compare daytime and night time readings.
Maybe there is a significant pH swing and they don't like the daytime values.

 

[Cheeser]

I used to use tap water also for years and my corals did fine but it wasn't til I started using rodi that I really saw how much healthier my corals were looking,. The water is ur lifeblood for ur corals and even though u can keep ur nitrates down and ur parameters are in check, there's no way to test for everything in ur tap water. The whole city uses that water and washes germs off there hands and clothes, they bathe in it. Shit, pee, all kinda chemical..there's no way to get that all out. Most likely the water runs through copper sometimes. I know u can't taste it, but all that stuffs in there, i know a lot of people that keep reefs in tap water, but if I was having problems with my reef when all else seems correct...I would begin to think maybe I SHOULD use rodi no matter how hardy the type of coral it is. Maybe thats what i can do to take my reef to the next level. I guaranty if u switch over ur zoas will open up and all ur corals will brighten up and flourish, and grow a lot faster as well.

 

[beeguiles]

I switched from a four bulb t5 HO fixture a few months ago to my marineland reef capable LEDs that I have on there now and the zoos were fine for the last few months up until a few weeks ago. I did think maybe the light was too strong so I raised up the light about 6inches to see if that makes any difference. It's only been a couple days so so far there hasn't been any results. I've been doing the same exact thing with this tank for the past 8 months so idk why all of the sudden this would be happening. If it was bc of the tap water then wouldn't my other corals in my other tank be acting up as well? I have to bring my water to the lfs to have it tested for phosphates and I can test for the ph myself. Idk this is frustrating..

 

[TBrewerton]

Just a thought, if it was the water, this is happening in your 10g right? and the 93 is fine? If its only been the last couple weeks how much water would you have changed out in that time?

My bet is % wise the 10g would have had far more.... Just a thought

Just saying if the tap water was to blame then the concentration in the 10g would be far greater than the 93g

 

[beeguiles]

Yea the ten gallon has had a water change Monday and today of more than half each time. So the total volume has been changed out for new water. I do a water change on the 93 gallon every two weeks but top it off every couple days with tap water.

 

[Ted]

To me it seems they are not liking the light for some reason. Why did you change the light? Not saying you shouldnt have but just curious. Anyway with them opening under the moon lights but not with the day light I cant help but think they are being overpowered.

 

[Cheeser]

I would try leaving the whites off for a day and see how they react with just the blues on.

 

[beeguiles]

I changed the light bc I didn't really like how the t5 fixture I had looked and thought this would be better for the tank. Also didn't want to replace the bulbs on the t5 when I had this light being unused. Maybe I will just leave the blues on, that's a good idea. You think my other corals will be getting the light they need with just the blue light though?

 

[Cheeser]

Yea I'm sure ur other corals will be fine. The marine land leds r pretty powerful for such a short tank. Do u have the one with a timer? If u do u can program ur whites to come on for maybe just like 2 or 3 hrs and see how they react when they come on.

 

[ccCapt]

Look up "zoapox".
CoralPedia.com :: Articles :: ZoaPox (Zoa Pox); the search for the cause and cure

 

[Mandarin66]

I would luagh if it was the flow that was disturbing it lol

 

[beeguiles]

I would luagh if it was the flow that was disturbing it lol

Well it's not the flow. I've checked that already so I guess you won't be laughing...