Closed zoas

[andreasch]

hello guys,

as am new to reef, i would love some help on the above topic. i have a zoas coral in my tank for a month now. It was looking good until last sunday. Since Sunday my zoas is closed and wont open at all. My params are as follows:
Ph - 8,2
KH - 7,3
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Phosphate - 0,2
Nitrate - 10ppm
Ca - 480
Mg - 1500
Temperature - 25-26 celcium degrees

My tank is 670 liters. I made 100 liters water change on Monday night but nothing changed.
I know my Phosphate and Nitrates are a bit high, but is this a reason to make zoas close?

Is there any other reason it could be this happening?

Thanks in advance

 

[DSC reef]

I wouldn't sweat the nitrate and phosphate at all. Any changes in chemistry, swings? The whole colony looks upset, how is the flow on the coral? Anything nipping at it?

 

[andreasch]

I wouldn't sweat the nitrate and phosphate at all. Any changes in chemistry, swings? The whole colony looks upset, how is the flow on the coral? Anything nipping at it?

I recently started dosing KH as my KH dropped to 6,4 and now is up to 7,3 (in 2 weeks range).
I dont have direct flow on them but flow is kinda high in the tank. And i didnt noticed anyone nipping at it.

Any chance for some pest hidden in the coral? Although i dipped the coral before add it to the tank.

 

[DSC reef]

I'm thinking chemistry due to the whole colony looking upset. IME pests would cause a few polyps to close at a time. I would give it a few days and let it settle. If it's still closed you could try another dip. Make sure the zoas are getting adequate flow as well, does not have to be direct.

 

[andreasch]

I'm thinking chemistry due to the whole colony looking upset. IME pests would cause a few polyps to close at a time. I would give it a few days and let it settle. If it's still closed you could try another dip. Make sure the zoas are getting adequate flow as well, does not have to be direct.

Ok ill give it some time and see how it goes. And no reason for a new water change at the moment right?
Is more possible that KH increase made the coral upset and not the a bit high phosphate/nitrates?

 

[DSC reef]

IME zoas prefer some nutrients in the water.

 

[andreasch]

How about lighting? Can low lighting cause this behaviour? I set my lights to blue/uv to control the algae I get. I got no whites at all for now

 

[Super Fly]

yes, low lighting can cause zoas to close fooling them into thinking it's nighttime. However was this the same light setting when the zoas were open? If yes, then the cause of them closing is not bc of lighting.

 

[andreasch]

yes, low lighting can cause zoas to close fooling them into thinking it's nighttime. However was this the same light setting when the zoas were open? If yes, then the cause of them closing is not bc of lighting.

well yes at first the zoas was ok with the same lighting..so i guess is not that...

but, maybe the following photos gives an answer? ... the reason i said before about pests. I found these on the glass during night time...

 

[Scrubber_steve]

Just a thought, check there aren't any Zoa nudis crawling on them.

 

[andreasch]

Just a thought, check there aren't any Zoa nudis crawling on them.

arent these ones i see crawling on the glass on the photos i posted above? I didnt see them on the zoas tho, but since i saw them on the glass, i guess is on the zoas as well...

 

[Scrubber_steve]

arent these ones i see crawling on the glass on the photos i posted above? I didnt see them on the zoas tho, but since i saw them on the glass, i guess is on the zoas as well...

On the glass is where I first noticed mine nudis. Then they were ill over the zoa, & my zoa closed up. I got rid of them using a large syringe. You could dip them.

 

[andreasch]

On the glass is where I first noticed mine nudis. Then they were ill over the zoa, & my zoa closed up. I got rid of them using a large syringe. You could dip them.

yes am planning to dip my zoas today. But i guess these nubis are not only on the zoas now but all over the tank. You used the syringe to take the ones from the glass you mean, or from the zoas? Are there any reef-safe fish that eat these? I read alot about the yellow coris wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus) but is it reef safe?

 

[Scrubber_steve]

yes am planning to dip my zoas today. But i guess these nubis are not only on the zoas now but all over the tank. You used the syringe to take the ones from the glass you mean, or from the zoas? Are there any reef-safe fish that eat these? I read alot about the yellow coris wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus) but is it reef safe?

I couldn't removed my zoa covered rock so at night I used a torch & a syringe to suck them off the zoa 6 to a dozen at a time. 6 striped wrasses eat them I believe.

 

[andreasch]

I couldn't removed my zoa covered rock so at night I used a torch & a syringe to suck them off the zoa 6 to a dozen at a time. 6 striped wrasses eat them I believe.

ye i know about the six line wrasse but i know is aggressive towards other fish and wrasse. So i would prefer a more peaceful wrasse if there is any...

 

[Scrubber_steve]

ye i know about the six line wrasse but i know is aggressive towards other fish and wrasse. So i would prefer a more peaceful wrasse if there is any...

Better to ask at the zoa discussion thread