Advice needed - is my zoa dying?

[Jamiem1976]

Hey everyone

Im extremely new and naive to the coral/reef hobby so encountering issues I've never had to deal with before.

Having a few issues with my corals. My zoa had been doing ok, it wasn't opening fully but was settling in. Then about 5 days go it closed fully and has been since. I cleaned some algae from it but still nothing. Any hints? Please see pic to show the issue.

Oh and while I'm here I have also posted a pic of my Star Polyps, starting to slowly grow but do I need to clean the algae? Will a tooth brush be too abrasive?

Thanks on advance

 

[SchrutesReefs]

Looks like hair algae on the gsp. Manual removal would be best, have you tried to dip the zoas in order to clean them? What are your water parameters? I’m guessing high nitrates and phosphates due to the algae?

 

[Wasabiroot]

Your relevant parameters will help here. Nitrates, phosphates, alkalinity (and how stable it's been), salinity, Calc, magnesium. Both soft corals are hardy but no coral tolerates huge swings in any parameters or a lack of nutrients / extreme excess.

 

[Jamiem1976]

It's a newish set up, around 2 months old. I checked ammonia and nitrite, ammonia around 0.2 and 0 nitrite. Nitrate was high according to my kit (looked around 20 if not higher) but took a sample to a local store and they did a dip test and said a small amount so not sure what to believe here. PH was 8. I've also a Kenya tree which seems to be doing ok and a cabbage, again seems to be fine too.

As mentioned im a complete novice at this so I know it's a learning curve.

 

[Wasabiroot]

It's OK. All of the livestock you listed (Kenya tree, cabbage leather, GSP and zoas) are soft coral and are far more tolerant of high nutrients than stony corals. I would do a water change. You want to avoid ammonia if possible. What does your cleanup crew look like? Some snails would probably take care of that algae. I would also suggest investing in a phosphate and nitrate test kit. You also want a refractometer or similar to test salinity and ensure it's close to natural salt water.

 

[Jamiem1976]

Also just to note, looks like I'm going through a cycle as my once clean rock is starting to grow patches of green algae despite having 3 snails and a cleaner shrimp