So a fellow reefer....

Fache · 03/27/2017, 05:46 PM

Has been having issues keeping any type of zoas. Able to keep all types of SPS and LPS, but no luck with the zoas. Every time introduced, they either diminish and disappear or look like they are melting away. Not even able to keep any Xenia.

Running:
90g DT
90g Sump
Filled with LR
vertex skimmer. (Might be oversized for the tank-can't remember what model)
Marine Pure Block
Cheato

Tank is pretty clean, not much algae
Approximately 12+ fish
Lots of Cleaner crew
Reg water changes

Just did some test, Mag was fine. Cal a little high (500) and Alk a little low 7.0

Anybody have any idea why zoas aren't growing/maintaining while just about everything else is?

Could the water be to clean lacking specific nutrients or possible harbouring something toxic or too many nutrients to the zoas etc?

Can't figure it out.

I'm sure I have left out information so please feel free to ask question. I will do my best to answer.

Had to post here, been driving us crazy

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organism · 03/27/2017, 09:15 PM

I've had tons of issues with zoas and most softies when the alk gets low. Also had some issues with marine pure leaching aluminum but that only affected my SPS and a few chalices, zoas looked great the whole time.

How are your nitrates? I had some mystery zoa problems that ended up being my nitrates were at 0 for too long.

Fache · 03/27/2017, 10:25 PM

Nitrates tested at 2.5

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Fache · 03/30/2017, 01:36 PM

Bump. Any other thoughts aside from low alk?

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sde1500 · 03/31/2017, 07:11 AM

Bump nitrates up a bit, maybe 5. Though zoas are weird. I have some growing nice and fast, next to ones not growing at all. Xenia and melting zoas though I'd hazard is too low nutrient levels. Bring them up slowly though, since the other corals are doing ok.

Fache · 04/01/2017, 08:03 AM

Thanks Guys, appreciate the feedback

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williamsreeffam · 04/04/2017, 07:46 AM

Do you think something may be eating them?
I had that problem for a really long time.

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JohnnyHildo · 04/04/2017, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sde1500

Bump nitrates up a bit, maybe 5. Though zoas are weird. I have some growing nice and fast, next to ones not growing at all. Xenia and melting zoas though I'd hazard is too low nutrient levels. Bring them up slowly though, since the other corals are doing ok.

agreed.
i didn't notice any measurement for phosphate and i would bet that low nutrients is playing a large part in your lack of success.
having just got over some large issues myself one of the major contributors was trying (without fully understanding) to run a ULNS.
unfortunately ulns is poorly explained and i didn't understand the concept of the nutrients we're trying to drive down to undetectable must be redosed to keep things healthy and happy. tanks need phosphate and nitrate to thrive.

Fache · 04/04/2017, 10:17 AM

@williamsreeffam it's something that we have considered. His Harlin Tusk could be culprit. Going to keep a closer eye.

@JohnnyHildo I don't think Phosphate was tested, ill have to bring it to his attention. Thanks, good point.

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03/27/2017, 05:46 PM	#1
Fache Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 96	So a fellow reefer.... Has been having issues keeping any type of zoas. Able to keep all types of SPS and LPS, but no luck with the zoas. Every time introduced, they either diminish and disappear or look like they are melting away. Not even able to keep any Xenia. Running: 90g DT 90g Sump Filled with LR vertex skimmer. (Might be oversized for the tank-can't remember what model) Marine Pure Block Cheato Tank is pretty clean, not much algae Approximately 12+ fish Lots of Cleaner crew Reg water changes Just did some test, Mag was fine. Cal a little high (500) and Alk a little low 7.0 Anybody have any idea why zoas aren't growing/maintaining while just about everything else is? Could the water be to clean lacking specific nutrients or possible harbouring something toxic or too many nutrients to the zoas etc? Can't figure it out. I'm sure I have left out information so please feel free to ask question. I will do my best to answer. Had to post here, been driving us crazy Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ CAN'T should not exist in the English Vocabulary Current Tank Info: Coming Soon Last edited by Fache; 03/27/2017 at 05:59 PM.

03/27/2017, 09:15 PM	#2
organism code monkey Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: south bay Posts: 6,223	I've had tons of issues with zoas and most softies when the alk gets low. Also had some issues with marine pure leaching aluminum but that only affected my SPS and a few chalices, zoas looked great the whole time. How are your nitrates? I had some mystery zoa problems that ended up being my nitrates were at 0 for too long. __________________ I don't always grow frags... but when I do, I prefer Dos Acros

03/27/2017, 10:25 PM	#3
Fache Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 96	Nitrates tested at 2.5 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ CAN'T should not exist in the English Vocabulary Current Tank Info: Coming Soon

03/30/2017, 01:36 PM	#4
Fache Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 96	Bump. Any other thoughts aside from low alk? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ CAN'T should not exist in the English Vocabulary Current Tank Info: Coming Soon

03/31/2017, 07:11 AM	#5
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	Bump nitrates up a bit, maybe 5. Though zoas are weird. I have some growing nice and fast, next to ones not growing at all. Xenia and melting zoas though I'd hazard is too low nutrient levels. Bring them up slowly though, since the other corals are doing ok. __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.

04/01/2017, 08:03 AM	#6
Fache Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 96	Thanks Guys, appreciate the feedback Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ CAN'T should not exist in the English Vocabulary Current Tank Info: Coming Soon

04/04/2017, 07:46 AM	#7
williamsreeffam Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 7	Do you think something may be eating them? I had that problem for a really long time. Sent from my SM-G900T1 using Tapatalk

04/04/2017, 10:17 AM	#9
Fache Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 96	@williamsreeffam it's something that we have considered. His Harlin Tusk could be culprit. Going to keep a closer eye. @JohnnyHildo I don't think Phosphate was tested, ill have to bring it to his attention. Thanks, good point. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ CAN'T should not exist in the English Vocabulary Current Tank Info: Coming Soon