Fruit Loops Zoas question.

Cooper32803 · Jul 14, 2012

So I have had my fruit loops zoas for a couple of weeks now and they havent really opened up. They would just open enough to show some of the orange skirt peeking out and then they would close again

I also had a problem with my xenia and found out my salinity was a bit low so I raised it to where it should be and also started dosing Reef Plus by Seachem to make sure that it was getting the nutrients it needed and it seems to be getting better over the course of the day. Would this also help my shy fruit loops open up? All of my other zoas and palys are open though so its a little weird... Any advice? Thanks!

707 Reefer · Jul 14, 2012

Where do you have the fruit loops placed? And is it in front of a powerhead?

Cooper32803 · Jul 14, 2012

No it is getting light indirect flow currently... I have moved it from mid tank to where it is now on the sand bed...

BillyC · Jul 14, 2012

Fruit loops are one of the harder to keep zoas. They may not ever do well in your tank unless something is changed (I.e. water quality, flow, lighting, filtration, etc)

Cooper32803 · Jul 14, 2012

Thats not good to hear... Well Hopefully my frag tank cycles faster then so I can get them in there and hopefully they will do better with T5 lighting, thats one of the only things I can think of as being the cause... They are currently under one 50/50 PC light and 2 panorama pro blue LEDs...

MattL22 · Jul 14, 2012

I never had problem with them but had issue with many others,

tampasnooker · Jul 16, 2012

Fruit Loops grow on jetties and other nearshore structure where the get the tar knocked out of them by light and current. Blast 'em.
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/zoa-discussion-club-zoa/67794-native-zoanthids-taiwan.html

Cooper32803 · Jul 16, 2012

I tried having them in front of the power head at the top of the tank and no good.. If they don't show some opening I will move them again lol... I have better light in my frag tank but it is still cycling... So need it to hurry up and cycle already lol

tampasnooker · Jul 17, 2012

The powerhead may be too compact of a stream. A propellar pump with a wider stream may be more appropriate. They also don't seem to like it over 80 degrees and fare poorly if sediment is allowed to settle on them or bacteria or algae film gets between polyps. Dips in peroxide for algae or Furan 2 for bacteria help. I've kept a small colony going for 4-5 years but Fruit Loops are by far the fussiest zoas I've ever kept. I believe they are a Z sociatus species so any info on sociatus should apply to FL. A lot of the sociatus grow in the rocky coast where they may be exposed to sun and air at low tide. Perhaps the extra UV they are exposed to helps kill off algae and bacteria. Surely the waves help knock such growth and debri away. Either way it's a tough environment to mimic.

Cooper32803 · Jul 17, 2012

Can you suggest any powerheads that might be better for them? Right now I am using a koralia 425gph... Something that doesnt cost an arm and a leg would be nice too... LOL

Pkunk35 · Jul 17, 2012

I would say give them time, as long as they aren't receding then they are ok usually.

My fruit loops are under 130 watt PC lighting and took a while for them to acclimate to the lights/tank and finally start reproducing. I have mine in an area of average lighting and flow.

If they are receding I would give them iodine dip and move them out of any direct powerhead flow. If your lighting is on the weaker side, move em up (slowly) as zoas can take pretty intense lighting for the most part.

Perhaps a iodine dip wouldn't be a bad idea regardless, if it is not opening up...

Cooper32803 · Jul 17, 2012

What kind of iodine? I have never done a dip of iodine... so can you explain the process?

stylaster · Jul 17, 2012

I would recommend lugols iodine if your zoas aren't opening up. Read what it says for recommend dosage on the bottle, then do half of that. Lugols Iodine is highly concentrated! This you can add directly to the tank without doing a dip. Most soft corals appreciate iodine (which is converted to iodide) in the tank

Cooper32803 · Jul 17, 2012

And where do I find Lugols? I dont think I have ever seen it at one of my LFS... I assume only online?

stylaster · Jul 17, 2012

My lfs carries the brightwell version of it. Here is a link to it on marine depot
Brightwell Aquatics Lugol`s Solution - Advanced Iodine for Reef Aquaria 30ml / 1oz

Pkunk35 · Jul 17, 2012

Yes I believe that brightwell product will work.
I believe ratio is 40 drops per gallon of tank water FOR DIPPING (DO NOT use tht ratio for tank dosing), If you go under the zoanthid forum and look at the FAQ for zoas there is a guide to dipping zoas. I'll link when I get home.

Cooper32803 · Jul 17, 2012

Awesome thanks... I didnt think to look in the Brightwell area... I will go tomorrow and hopefully find it

BenjaminS · Jul 17, 2012

How can you tell quality of fruit loops?

Pkunk35 · Jul 17, 2012

BenjaminS said:
How can you tell quality of fruit loops?

? If they look awesome.

:bigsmile:

I have no idea. I think they are all pretty much the same but i don't see them as often as i used to online.

Here's that link, very good tutorial on zoa acclimation:

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/zo...4-new-polyps-way-lets-talk-precautionary.html