Another "zoas won't open up" thread.

[AtisE]

Two of the five frags just don't want to open up. It's been weeks. Nitrate's been at 5ppm for a while with phosphate's at 0. Fed more and now at 0.09ppm phosphate. The one on the far left has bubble algae growing between the polyps in the middle. Not sure what to do about it or if it's the issue at all. Any ideas/suggestions?
Alk: 8.9
Cal: 460
Mag: 1354
Salinity: 35ppt
Nitrate: 5ppm
Phosphate 0.09ppm

 

[fishguy242]

hi,i would carefully remove the bubble algae,try moving to different flow/light?

 

[Zoa_Fanatic]

What is the frag of? The higher end ones can literally take forever to open up. Hydrogen peroxide dip will kill of any algea if necessary. Unless they start melting or dissolving I assume they’re alive. I had some white zombies get bruised up and close for a month, they still opened back up after that but looked bruised forever. Dag on crab ended up taking them out.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Elevate the zoas a little as they could be getting irritated by the sand. Additionally, there may be detritus or mulm on them. Give them gentle blasts with a turkey baster and see if any of it comes off them.
Place them under moderate light and water flow and add a little iron to the water