Zoa's only partially opening.

beertech · 05/11/2017, 05:57 PM

Ok, I need some expert advice.
I have a 120 mixed reef, 6 months since upgrading from the 65 gal. Diy LEDs, with royal blue, warm white, neutral white, cyan. 72x 3 watt LEDs. Total of 216 watts.
Alk is steady at 8.6, temp is steady at 77, nitrates are around 20. Water changes every three weeks with Aquaforest reef salt. Manually dosing biocalcium a few times a week.
All sps, Lps and softies are doing great, excellent color and growth, with the exception of the three Zoa frags I've had for about 2-3 months. All were fully open and looked great when j bought them, now only a polyp or two here and there opens partly.
Any ideas?

activecactus · 05/15/2017, 05:32 PM

My zoa frags get some crud between the polyps probably from feeding. I clean that out with tweezers and they are happier afterwards. Id clean them out first and if that doesn't help then dip them.

beertech · 05/17/2017, 08:04 PM

I dipped and cleaned one frag, then moved all three to a frag rack. I was thinking maybe something was picking at then at night. It's been about a week and the frag I cleaned and dipped is the only one opening up!
I think you are right, I'll clean the other two frags tonight,
Thanks!

Darlene8 · 05/22/2017, 11:56 AM

When u talk about "dipping" them, r u talking about dipping them in a 50/50 H2O2 solution?

Razorback reef · 05/24/2017, 06:35 PM

Light acclimation likely. LED light is super intense, not good for Zoanthids.

Place them in medium light.

Dennio · 05/29/2017, 06:37 PM

lugols dip solution for a couple mins.

05/11/2017, 05:57 PM	#1
beertech Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 101	Zoa's only partially opening. Ok, I need some expert advice. I have a 120 mixed reef, 6 months since upgrading from the 65 gal. Diy LEDs, with royal blue, warm white, neutral white, cyan. 72x 3 watt LEDs. Total of 216 watts. Alk is steady at 8.6, temp is steady at 77, nitrates are around 20. Water changes every three weeks with Aquaforest reef salt. Manually dosing biocalcium a few times a week. All sps, Lps and softies are doing great, excellent color and growth, with the exception of the three Zoa frags I've had for about 2-3 months. All were fully open and looked great when j bought them, now only a polyp or two here and there opens partly. Any ideas?

05/15/2017, 05:32 PM	#2
activecactus Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: near Chicago now near KC Posts: 175	My zoa frags get some crud between the polyps probably from feeding. I clean that out with tweezers and they are happier afterwards. Id clean them out first and if that doesn't help then dip them.

05/17/2017, 08:04 PM	#3
beertech Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 101	I dipped and cleaned one frag, then moved all three to a frag rack. I was thinking maybe something was picking at then at night. It's been about a week and the frag I cleaned and dipped is the only one opening up! I think you are right, I'll clean the other two frags tonight, Thanks!

05/22/2017, 11:56 AM	#4
Darlene8 Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 5	When u talk about "dipping" them, r u talking about dipping them in a 50/50 H2O2 solution?

05/24/2017, 06:35 PM	#5
Razorback reef Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 61	Light acclimation likely. LED light is super intense, not good for Zoanthids. Place them in medium light.

05/29/2017, 06:37 PM	#6
Dennio Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 161	lugols dip solution for a couple mins.