Dull zoas

[Danmuges]

Hi all, recently purchased some sunny d's from a supplier and noticed that they are very bright compared to mine (see pic). They do run between 2 and 5 nitrates and mine are at 25. Our lighting is pretty similar but my whites are very low at 12%.
Any ideas?

 

[Roosterjack]

I have heard some of them use photography methods to increase colors. I don’t know if it is true or not.

 

[HotManwich]

I have heard some of them use photography methods to increase colors. I don’t know if it is true or not.

Those frags are both on the same rack though. It looks like Danmuges zoa is just intrinsically duller than the vendors.


If I were to make a guess I'd say it's because the seller kept them under much brighter lights than yours which caused them to produce more of their pigment as a "sunscreen."

 

[vetteguy53081]

Reaction to light .
Things you can try:
Whites at 20% and blues at 75%. Add iodine , strontium and amino such as seachem fuel to tank and it should make a huge difference

 

[Danmuges]

Thanks for the replies. Mine and his are both shown in the pic next to eachother. No editing. My frag tank is only 8 inches top to bottom so I'm worried if I turn the whites up too much on the ai primes I will cook them

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks for the replies. Mine and his are both shown in the pic next to eachother. No editing. My frag tank is only 12 inches top to bottom so I'm worried if I turn the whites up too much on the ai primes I will cook them

Correct..... turn whites down to 29%, even 15%

 

[Danmuges]

Correct..... turn whites down to 29%, even 15%

My whites are only at 12%

 

[A. grandis]

Unbelievable how the hobby is right now.
It's crazy how many of you try to manipulate the colors of the organisms you keep using LEDs and talk about those cartoon names like it's a very important card collection.
I'm sorry, but this is truly disgusting.
Don't you see how artificial your minds are doing that? Seriously!?
Anti-aquarium people have been using those type of arguments to criticize our hobby with gusto!
I'm not trying to diminish you, just trying to bring the facts to the table and teach you.
It shouldn't be like that!!!
You are playing with lights like you don't care about the animals, but only for your pleasure!
There is a limit to play like that, people. This is not what the hobby should be about, my friends.
You turn those numbers, what about the other organisms in that system?
What if doesn't work? Try again? How many times?
What about when you get another polyp and it doesn't turn the color you want?
Not okay! That's a no-no!
I'm trying to teach you manners.
It's a matter of ethics, respect and care for the animals you keep.
Don't even think of coming against me on that one! You are wrong!
That's why I keep avoiding LED threads!
Some times I feel like quitting the forums at once when I see stuff like that.
I'm writing this with all the respect and care for you and the organisms you keep!
Please think carefully and try to visualize if what you are doing is correct.
I'm not going to answer quotes to this post.
Rethink before you get angry about this.
Remember: I'm on your side as a hobbyist!

 

[TheOne]

A. grandis, So how can he make his zoa on the left match the color of the vendors zoa on the right? They are the same genus? I'm curious also. I'm guessing iodine?

 

[A. grandis]

A. grandis, So how can he make his zoa on the left match the color of the vendors zoa on the right? They are the same genus? I'm curious also. I'm guessing iodine?

Just let them be. That is not their fault.
Zoanthids can turn different colors (morphing) according to the light offered, yes, and sometimes because of water parameters and even stress. When you change light they will stress out and will suffer to accept those changes. Those changes are not done in a day or 2.
Bottom line is: if they are at that color right now in a matured system, it will do it's own thing. Please let them be that color, if that's the case. They might change later. That is what a conscientious hobbyist does IMO. Do not try to force it to turn "that" magic color manipulating light like that, please.
Iodine might help some soft corals and possibly zoanthids with their metabolism.
Amino acids does help with colors, but THEY ALREADY HAVE THOSE COLORS IN THEIR GENES.
Amino acids just feed them a bit to be robust and reinforce colors and their zooxanthellae.
Many times people think they change colors under such light, but in reality they are only reflecting those blue diodes.
My suggestion is to set your lights and leave them alone.
Get those polyps from sellers that will show you real pictures, not using photoshop for their images.
Good luck.

Edit: please make sure you use helmet when riding your bike. I almost died when I was a kid. It happened so fast! Peace.

 

[Danmuges]

Unbelievable how the hobby is right now.
It's crazy how many of you try to manipulate the colors of the organisms you keep using LEDs and talk about those cartoon names like it's a very important card collection.
I'm sorry, but this is truly disgusting.
Don't you see how artificial your minds are doing that? Seriously!?
Anti-aquarium people have been using those type of arguments to criticize our hobby with gusto!
I'm not trying to diminish you, just trying to bring the facts to the table and teach you.
It shouldn't be like that!!!
You are playing with lights like you don't care about the animals, but only for your pleasure!
There is a limit to play like that, people. This is not what the hobby should be about, my friends.
You turn those numbers, what about the other organisms in that system?
What if doesn't work? Try again? How many times?
What about when you get another polyp and it doesn't turn the color you want?
Not okay! That's a no-no!
I'm trying to teach you manners.
It's a matter of ethics, respect and care for the animals you keep.
Don't even think of coming against me on that one! You are wrong!
That's why I keep avoiding LED threads!
Some times I feel like quitting the forums at once when I see stuff like that.
I'm writing this with all the respect and care for you and the organisms you keep!
Please think carefully and try to visualize if what you are doing is correct.
I'm not going to answer quotes to this post.
Rethink before you get angry about this.
Remember: I'm on your side as a hobbyist!

A bit uncalled for I think. Simply asked a question as clearly something in doing is not right as a sunny D should be vibrant and happy as per the vendors and mine are dull. Weather that is light or something else. I'm trying to get to the bottom of it. If I was running my lights at Max and my corals melted you would want me to continue doing this and not ask for advise?

 

[Danmuges]

Just let them be. That is not their fault.
Zoanthids can turn different colors (morphing) according to the light offered, yes, and sometimes because of water parameters and even stress. When you change light they will stress out and will suffer to accept those changes. Those changes are not done in a day or 2.
Bottom line is: if they are at that color right now in a matured system, it will do it's own thing. Please let them be that color, if that's the case. They might change later. That is what a conscientious hobbyist does IMO. Do not try to force it to turn "that" magic color manipulating light like that, please.
Iodine might help some soft corals and possibly zoanthids with their metabolism.
Amino acids does help with colors, but THEY ALREADY HAVE THOSE COLORS IN THEIR GENES.
Amino acids just feed them a bit to be robust and reinforce colors and their zooxanthellae.
Many times people think they change colors under such light, but in reality they are only reflecting those blue diodes.
My suggestion is to set your lights and leave them alone.
Get those polyps from sellers that will show you real pictures, not using photoshop for their images.
Good luck.

Edit: please make sure you use helmet when riding your bike. I almost died when I was a kid. It happened so fast! Peace.

It is a real seller and there were no photos hopped images. The imige I posted was raw and a comparison to mine. Not a photo of the vendors.

 

[A. grandis]

A bit uncalled for I think. Simply asked a question as clearly something in doing is not right as a sunny D should be vibrant and happy as per the vendors and mine are dull. Weather that is light or something else. I'm trying to get to the bottom of it. If I was running my lights at Max and my corals melted you would want me to continue doing this and not ask for advise?

I'm not saying it's your fault. I feel you want to solve the problem doing the best you want. Just wanted to cut that out before people come here and we have a list of 100 posts trying to define the best percentage to change your light.
At the same time I gave my advice about the subject for further references.
I wish you luck. Maybe it will show a nice color after a while.
maybe you should contact the vendor end expose the problem. Some times they send wrong polyps.

 

[A. grandis]

It is a real seller and there were no photos hopped images. The imige I posted was raw and a comparison to mine. Not a photo of the vendors.

I would contact the vendors, no doubt.
Send them the picture.

 

[TheOne]

My zoas always look really colorful for the first couple of weeks when I recieve them from the vendor too. Then they turn like yours on the left. Following to see what else it could be.

And on second thought, Forget the iodine as I see no benefit from it as long as you are doing regular water changes. I just started using Acropower to see if I notice any more color. It's only been a week though so still too early to tell.