Zoa problems

bmarine · 12/31/2015, 03:02 PM

I have a 15 gallon globe reef tank, and have three different types of zoas. My electric green is opening nicely and doing pretty well, but the other 2 zoas are always hiding and their stems seem to be growing longer. Why is this?

Also, I'm thinking of doing an RO dip on them, would this help, and how do I do it??

bmarine · 12/31/2015, 03:11 PM

Here is what they look like right now, the orange one (top) only opens about 1/3 of the way at the most, the other barely opens at all.

ashrem · 12/31/2015, 04:04 PM

What lighting is over them? Elongating steps usually means inadequate lighting and so the stem goes longer to get mouth closers to light.

meknudson · 01/01/2016, 12:07 AM

How long have you had them?

bmarine · 01/01/2016, 02:12 AM

The light is an AI Prime, so I don't think it is a lighting issue? And I have had them for about 1.5 months each

bmarine · 01/02/2016, 10:57 AM

What could I be doing wrong? Aren't zoas supposed to be easy? My duncan, trumpet, and GSP are all doing well.

Reeferside · 01/12/2016, 10:42 PM

I also think it may be your lighting. What percentages are you running your lights? How deep is your tank and where are the zoas placed? In the picture, it looks as if they are stretching for light.

Are they in the way of a powerhead? Maybe they don't like the flow so they are closed up

bmarine · 01/24/2016, 11:02 PM

Unfortunately, one of the zoas died, the other has shrunk a bit but still opens. And then my button polyps are doing very well. Still curious as to why I'm not seeing growth out of them though. If I remember correctly, the tank is 16 inches tall, and the zoas are placed About 4"-6" from the bottom of the tank.I used to be running the lights at 50% but I lowered it today to 45% due to advice from someone at my LFS who is familiar with Primes and believed the light may have been too bright for the zoas.

12/31/2015, 03:02 PM	#1
bmarine Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: West Michigan Posts: 30	Zoa problems I have a 15 gallon globe reef tank, and have three different types of zoas. My electric green is opening nicely and doing pretty well, but the other 2 zoas are always hiding and their stems seem to be growing longer. Why is this? Also, I'm thinking of doing an RO dip on them, would this help, and how do I do it??

12/31/2015, 03:11 PM	#2
bmarine Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: West Michigan Posts: 30	Here is what they look like right now, the orange one (top) only opens about 1/3 of the way at the most, the other barely opens at all.

12/31/2015, 04:04 PM	#3
ashrem Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Back in the USA Posts: 196	What lighting is over them? Elongating steps usually means inadequate lighting and so the stem goes longer to get mouth closers to light.

01/01/2016, 12:07 AM	#4
meknudson Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Paso Robles, Ca Posts: 7	How long have you had them?

01/01/2016, 02:12 AM	#5
bmarine Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: West Michigan Posts: 30	The light is an AI Prime, so I don't think it is a lighting issue? And I have had them for about 1.5 months each

01/02/2016, 10:57 AM	#6
bmarine Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: West Michigan Posts: 30	What could I be doing wrong? Aren't zoas supposed to be easy? My duncan, trumpet, and GSP are all doing well.

01/12/2016, 10:42 PM	#7
Reeferside Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 360	I also think it may be your lighting. What percentages are you running your lights? How deep is your tank and where are the zoas placed? In the picture, it looks as if they are stretching for light. Are they in the way of a powerhead? Maybe they don't like the flow so they are closed up

01/24/2016, 11:02 PM	#8
bmarine Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: West Michigan Posts: 30	Unfortunately, one of the zoas died, the other has shrunk a bit but still opens. And then my button polyps are doing very well. Still curious as to why I'm not seeing growth out of them though. If I remember correctly, the tank is 16 inches tall, and the zoas are placed About 4"-6" from the bottom of the tank.I used to be running the lights at 50% but I lowered it today to 45% due to advice from someone at my LFS who is familiar with Primes and believed the light may have been too bright for the zoas.