Blue Agave placement

Munch · Jan 29, 2013

I picked up some Blue Zoas over the summer. 3 heads, within a few months I have 10.

However, the last month they have closed up.

I've adjusted the positioning of my water flow, and I have to manually adjust my lights (Kessil a350w). So it's been tricky trying to figure out what they used to like.

Can anyone recommend water/lighting flow?

Salinity is currently at 1.024, alk is 12, calcium is 500, ph 8.4, phos .5, 0 for the other 3, mag is 1425

Munch · Jan 29, 2013

I should also note that I have close to 25 other sets of zoas in the tank, and they are all doing great. So I just assumed it was light/flow.

always reefin · Jan 29, 2013

alk is 12? what are you testing with?

Munch · Jan 29, 2013

Hanna...

always reefin · Jan 29, 2013

thats high for alk, but if you are having success whos to question. has it always been that high?

Munch · Jan 29, 2013

Yes, been this high. I mix Reef Crystals, and this is what it comes out at (RO/DI). I'm doing weekly water changes.

I considered lowering it, but the only way would be to change salt at this point.

They did extremely well initially, but they are ticked off at something.

With everything else kicking butt, it's hard to believe its any parameters...

cbrennan4 · Jan 29, 2013

I have 3 different morphs of Blue Agave that I keep on a rock a few inches above the sand bed with moderate flow. When I tried to put them higher in the tank they weren't too happy and shrank in size. From what I have seen and heard from others they don't like intense light. I have them in a 90 gal with a 6 bulb T5 set-up with ATI bulbs. Also, this is one of those Zoas that seem to melt for no reason.

BillyC · Jan 29, 2013

Welcome to the world of blue agaves man. I'm on my third attempt with them. Can't figure em out in my tank.

Munch · Jan 29, 2013

cbrennan4 said:
I have 3 different morphs of Blue Agave that I keep on a rock a few inches above the sand bed with moderate flow. When I tried to put them higher in the tank they weren't too happy and shrank in size. From what I have seen and heard from others they don't like intense light. I have them in a 90 gal with a 6 bulb T5 set-up with ATI bulbs. Also, this is one of those Zoas that seem to melt for no reason.

Thanks, I've heard they are finnicky. My buddy also lost his to a meltdown. I'm just trying my hardest to keep them happy!

Ares · Jan 29, 2013

Following along...
I bought 1 polyp in April 2012 and I have...... 1 polyp still. I've tried everything I can think of short of putting them an inch from a powerhead. Everything else is awesome.

buddythelion · Jan 29, 2013

Ares said:
Following along...
I bought 1 polyp in April 2012 and I have...... 1 polyp still. I've tried everything I can think of short of putting them an inch from a powerhead. Everything else is awesome.

As long as they're alive man, you're doing better than most. That's all that matters.

Blue Agaves are so tricky, along with the other Hawaiian morphs. I've had my fair share of them, and the only ones I have now were closed up for 3 months sitting on the sandbed in the back of my tank. I decided to give them lots of TLC and then 3 months later they're finally back to their coloration and growing. They're a lot of work.

scsdukefan408 · Jan 29, 2013

buddythelion said:
As long as they're alive man, you're doing better than most. That's all that matters.

Blue Agaves are so tricky, along with the other Hawaiian morphs. I've had my fair share of them, and the only ones I have now were closed up for 3 months sitting on the sandbed in the back of my tank. I decided to give them lots of TLC and then 3 months later they're finally back to their coloration and growing. They're a lot of work.

What was the TLC you gave?...any info would help out...I bought 1polyp and it turn into 4 in about a month then i had to move and since moving in oct they have been closed up or closed about 75%

Fidofence · Jan 29, 2013

Keep them low flow and low light, they love to melt on you

SteezySPS · Feb 16, 2013

had this for a couple of weeks and it has stayed puffed up like this and not flat like the other zoas. not sure if this is a good thing or not

SteezySPS · Feb 16, 2013

mine is low flow and light

Nuocmam · Apr 8, 2013

Any updates or words of wisdom on how to keep these happy?

Brisco15 · Apr 8, 2013

Definitely not up in high light high flow. Mine melted

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Munch · Apr 8, 2013

Oddly, I picked up 2 single headed frags 30 days ago at ReefStock in Colorado. Both are in high light (in upper 1/2 of tank). One is high flow, one is low flow. The high flow now has 3 heads, the low flow now has 4 heads. Lets hope these keep growing

Only difference is uber stable params, and Radion Gen 2 lights - 8" over the water.

Brisco15 · Apr 8, 2013

Mine was up next to all my other zoa frags top front left corner on my frag rack. In med flow/high flow over a week the first 2 days were open. Slowly the next 5 it closed. I dipped and replaced in lower light med flow and it slowly melted to nothing. My params were solid too. My LEDs are about 7in above water at that time.

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ZoaCollector · Apr 9, 2013

You could do a Furan 2 dip. I've had success with this when PE's like to act up.

Get a small container with fresh tank water. Put around a teaspoon of Furan 2. Take affected frag and let sit in mixture for around 15 min.

Shake off in container.

Get a second container with fresh tank water. Add a few drops of Lugols Iodine and let sit for a min or two. Shake off in the container and add back to tank.

Repeat this every other day for a week or so.

You should start seeing an improvement within one or two dips if caught early.

Furan 2 seems to be gentle on the polyps as well.

Hope this helps