Are my Clementine Zoas happy?

[muzikalmatt]

I've had these Clementine Zoas for a little over 3 months and being the inexperienced reefer that I am, I'm not sure if they're happy. I bought them from WWC during the most recent live sale and the polyps looked fuller and more colorful than they do now. I have definitely noticed some growth with additional polyp heads and some encrusting of the frag plug, but most of the heads just don't seem as full as they did before. Initially I had them in the middle of the tank but I noticed them stretching so I moved them to the top of my rock structure.

Here they are shortly after I got them from WWC. Notice the coloration and expansion of the heads.

Here they are a few days ago. I realize the colors are going to be different given the lighting isn't as blue here, but in general the heads just don't seem to have the coloration and detail they did when I first got them. Maybe I'm overreacting and everything's fine, but I have no experience with zoas. I'd like to get some more to create a zoa garden but I want to make sure I'm on the right track with these first. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[BestMomEver]

Where do you have them in the tank.... high or low? What light is over them? All my zoas are on the bottom or shaded underneath another coral. Move them around until they seem happier.

 

[Leadfooted]

You moved them correct? Where , higher or lower. They getting more flow now or less. They look hungry, either for light or food (and maybe iodine)

 

[Leadfooted]

If they were getting TOO much light, they would be much shorter and not stretched, so rule that out.

 

[mta_morrow]

I have zoas at all levels in my tank.....100 par to 300 par.

high flow, low flow.

I find every zoa has a sweet spot. Sometimes it just takes a little time and patience to find it.

Most importantly, give it 5-7 days at least in a spot before trying another spot

 

[muzikalmatt]

Currently I have them high in the tank on the top of the rock structure but not directly under the light. They're probably 6" to the left. I have a single Kessil A360WE Tuna Blue that I've been ramping up the intensity ~5% a week over the past couple of weeks. It's up to 50% intensity right now I think at ~6" above the water surface. The zoas were originally on the middle of the rock structure on the left side, but they really started stretching so I thought they were hungry for light. However, I've since realized I'm probably running the Kessil a bit too low as it was at only 35% intensity. That's why I'm slowly ramping it. Below is a picture of the full tank so you can get some perspective on the placement.

Regarding flow, I would guess they're in medium to low flow. I'm running two Jebao OW-10 wave makers opposite of each other at the lowest setting but the return nozzle on the left is sort of aimed at the zoas as well. I'm not sure how much flow they need/want, but they certainly aren't blowing around or anything. Perhaps I could upload a video to give some perspective on the flow.

My nitrates have been a bit high lately, maybe 20ppm but I've been slowly lowering them with more frequent water changes and just added a chaeto refugium to one of the back chambers to try and combat that as well. I'm not sure if that might cause an issue with them, but thought I should mention it.

 

[mta_morrow]

Nice tank! I like your scape and coral choices.

I like "my Cementines" a lot too and they are on my list for this tank. I had a nice size colony in my prior tank.

 

[muzikalmatt]

Nice tank! I like your scape and coral choices.

I like "my Cementines" a lot too and they are on my list for this tank. I had a nice size colony in my prior tank.

Thanks! I'm almost 6 months in (this is my first reef tank) and I'm really loving it. I want to start packing in the corals to fill it out more, but as everyone says "nothing good happens fast in this hobby" so I'm trying to stay patient.

 

[BestMomEver]

If it were me, I’d put them closer to your shrooms. Or where your urchin is.

 

[muzikalmatt]

If it were me, I’d put them closer to your shrooms. Or where your urchin is.

Thanks for the advice! I think I'll give that a shot.

Regarding feeding, I've got reef roids but haven't really been using them much lately. Should I try spot feeding them? I also saw someone mentioned iodine. Do I need to test and potentially dose that? I'm not looking to overcomplicate things but I want them to thrive and not just survive.

 

[Wunderpus]

Thanks for the advice! I think I'll give that a shot.

Regarding feeding, I've got reef roids but haven't really been using them much lately. Should I try spot feeding them? I also saw someone mentioned iodine. Do I need to test and potentially dose that? I'm not looking to overcomplicate things but I want them to thrive and not just survive.

Try moving them first... One variable at a time, especially since they clearly aren't dying. As far as iodine, don't dose it if you're not testing for it

 

[BestMomEver]

Thanks for the advice! I think I'll give that a shot.

Regarding feeding, I've got reef roids but haven't really been using them much lately. Should I try spot feeding them? I also saw someone mentioned iodine. Do I need to test and potentially dose that? I'm not looking to overcomplicate things but I want them to thrive and not just survive.

I don’t feed mine. They catch leftover particles of food and fish poop. If you don’t have fish, then feed them but I wouldn’t do it often. As for iodine... be careful. Too much isn’t good. Check out the Red Sea Colors program. I swear by it. They also have a test kit for it.

 

[BestMomEver]

Try moving them first... One variable at a time, especially since they clearly aren't dying. As far as iodine, don't dose it if you're not testing for it

+1

 

[Leadfooted]

Thanks for the advice! I think I'll give that a shot.

Regarding feeding, I've got reef roids but haven't really been using them much lately. Should I try spot feeding them? I also saw someone mentioned iodine. Do I need to test and potentially dose that? I'm not looking to overcomplicate things but I want them to thrive and not just survive.

All tanks/systems are a little different, most important start small with any foods / supplements.
Iodine has many debates you can research in here. For my system, I did well with just about all corals with exception to zoas/palys. MLFS suggested Reef Fuel by Aquavitro mostly because of it's iodine. Over the last few years I notice clear differences on my zoas/palys when I use it and when I stop (because I'm cheap lol).

Side note, I often soak/mix my reef roids in a teaspoon of fuel then mix 2-1 Tank Water-FOOD ratio. works for me at least. Some people don't do anything but turn on their lights and they grow. I have to work a little harder.

 

[muzikalmatt]

Thanks for all of the advice, guys! I really appreciate it! I will try moving them first and see how they do and hold off on feeding or dosing anything. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again!

 

[Leadfooted]

Check out the Red Sea Colors program..

+1 on this. I'm about to try this myself after a lot to research. I love my Fuel, don't get me wrong, but I'm too curious to not try the RS colors after a lot of reading.

 

[BestMomEver]

+1 on this. I'm about to try this myself after a lot to research. I love my Fuel, don't get me wrong, but I'm too curious to not try the RS colors after a lot of reading.

I had corals that were not growing very fast and all were just plain green. I bought purple and pink and yellow but after a few weeks they were all green. I started using the Colors program and everything colored up and started growing like mad. I only dose once a week based on my calcium use and test once a month. I love the stuff....

 

[Leadfooted]

I had corals that were not growing very fast and all were just plain green. I bought purple and pink and yellow but after a few weeks they were all green. I started using the Colors program and everything colored up and started growing like mad. I only dose once a week based on my calcium use and test once a month. I love the stuff....

Maybe this (RSC) will color my Peach Tipped Torch again! There's signs of peach in it still but very faint. Time for me to step into the Red sea waters!

 

[BestMomEver]

Maybe this (RSC) will color my Peach Tipped Torch again! There's signs of peach in it still but very faint. Time for me to step into the Red sea waters!

I talked to the Red Sea guy at Reefapalooza. I told him about my success with the colors program. I was having trouble maintaining levels so he suggested I use their salt. I now use Red Sea Pro salt, Red Sea two part and the colors program and my tank has never been better. What I’m doing may be a little more expensive but I’ve never been happier with my tank. It’s stable, growing well and the colors are beautiful.

 

[FishyDP]

Appears to me that they are stretching toward your light. I would say raising the light around 6" and keep turning up the intensity as you are may help.