Do these zoas look healthy

[Fishlover56]

Hi
my zoa frag has been in the tank for a week now and only three have been opening and closing its the first day with the powerful light and for a few days i have been giving them salifert coral food also alo my levels are in the normal range but i have a bit of nitrate so the water is not to clean for them
many thanks

 

[dankaqua]

I'm going to guess that maybe your light is too strong for them. Try putting them deeper or shading them or decreasing your light's output.

... a better photo would be nice..

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Can't tell if they're healthy, but they're definately not happy. How old is the tank? Do you have any other corals? How are they doing? What kind of light? Have you tested your water? Can you post the #s?
Also, if you think your water isn't great/clean don't go adding a bunch of coral food

 

[Cambrian Reef]

Barely open in a week? I would say they aren't happy based on what mine have done after placing in my tank.

 

[Fishlover56]

Hi I'm using a fluval sea marine light, my tank is just over a year old and its the only coral i have also its my first ever coral. I use aquaforest reef salt mixed with declorinated treated tap water tis aqua safe from tetra.
my levels
nitrites 0
nitrates 60 ppm but i think that cant be right or all the fish would be dead is it a faulty test kit
ammonia 0
ph 8.1
salinity 1.027
@xxkenny90xx

 

[Sosuke]

Don't use tap water for saltwater tanks

 

[Sosuke]

Try using a different test kit for nitrates 60 ppm is possible but not likely unless you're feeding very heavily

 

[Fishlover56]

K thank you i will look into getting a RO unit. I have one clown fish and azure damels and one hermit i put i little pinch of food every two days
thank you

 

[Fishlover56]

i use the api saltwater test kit i have heard from somewhere before that the ammonia test can give a false reading

 

[Sosuke]

With the stocking list and the amount of food it seems odd that your nitrates are that high try a new test kit and see what happens, I would def look into an RO unit

 

[Sosuke]

Ammonia badges work most people use them for QT but you can also use it on a display

 

[Fishlover56]

Also would you say my stock has a high bio load on a 13.5 gallon tank

 

[Fishlover56]

i use one jebao sw2 for a wave maker in the tank thats shifts 2000 litre per hour

 

[Sosuke]

I wouldn't recommend 1 clown and multiple damsels in a 13.5 gal IMO

 

[Magellan]

What is your filtration like? As others have mentioned, don’t use tap water. Might consider getting your salinity down just a bit as well (also what are you testing that with?).

shoot for 1.025-1.026

 

[Fishlover56]

K cool i use a fluval 206 for filtration i test salt with a refractometer
thanks

 

[Magellan]

K cool i use a fluval 206 for filtration i test salt with a refractometer
thanks

Canister filters are a viable method of filtration, but will cause a build up of nitrates over time unless you are VERY thorough in cleaning them and their hoses.

 

[Webslinger]

Rule 1 - Don't run a saltwater tank without RODI.

 

[Fishlover56]

Yea I think that’s lesson is learned now lol I’m just over my first year in the saltwater world I had freshwater for years and wanted to start something new

 

[Fishlover56]

Since doing a water change, freshwater dip and add a new wavemaker the zoas are finally stating to un tighten after two weeks in the tank.
its hard to see in the picture but their colour is starting to show under blue