Help with dying colonies

Wrench · Nov 15, 2007

Hello. New member here in desperate need of some help. I've posted this on RC and my club forum with no definite answer.

This problem has been plaguing me forever. It's affecting only my zoanthid colonies. It will start with the polyps of a colony closing up. Upon inspection, the mat looks a tan color. It will slowly darken, deteriorate, and the flesh will flake off. The 'stalks' of individual polyps will sometimes pinch like there is a band around them. Polyps just shrink and wither away to nothing. I have yet to save a colony. Placement in the tank doesn't seem to make a difference. I have tried iodine and freshwater dips but neither seem to help at all.

Parameters;
1.026
79-82*
Nitrates <5
Alk 3.5 meq/L
Ca 410-430

Water changes are 10g per week with Reef Crystals.

Anyone have ANY info they can offer me in hopes of figuring this out?

shivametimbas · Nov 15, 2007

I'm interested to hear every1's replies on this also. i had some zoas and palys that had done the same in my last tank although i never lost them all. wish i knew what to tell ya. good luck with it

Hypertek99 · Nov 15, 2007

Me too i had one colony that did it but only lost half the colony. I fragged the other half and it's doing fine.

Zoanuts · Nov 15, 2007

With your parameters being in line. I would like to see a picture as others would. Maybe it could be an infection that you are fighting. If so I would get some antibiotic type dip. Furin-2 seems to be want people use for infections.

revhtree · Nov 15, 2007

What about pest?

Nudis or Stars??

Pufferpunk · Nov 15, 2007

I am having huge sucess adding 2000mg vitamin C tablets 2x/day to my 90g tank (w/20g fuge & 20g sump, 1/3 filled). Recession has stopped completely & my zoas/palys have never looked better or more colorful.

shivametimbas · Nov 15, 2007

i didnt have any pests...
besides a girlfriend at the time!

Zoanuts · Nov 15, 2007

ooooo good one.

Hypertek99 · Nov 16, 2007

Pufferfpunk do you have other corals beside zoanthids in the tank that you are dosing the vitamin c???

Pufferpunk · Nov 16, 2007

Sure do--it's packed with everything under the sun. LPS, SPS, softies. Even the PE on my encrusting monties is better.

Hypertek99 · Nov 16, 2007

Can we get some info on the vitamin dosing. Can i just go to wal-mart and buy vitamin tablets??? How do you know how much to use???

Pufferpunk · Nov 16, 2007

These are the same tabs I take every day for myself.
http://www.club-zoa.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7570

Weetabix7 · Nov 16, 2007

I would suggest a Furan-2 dip, BibleSue and I have seen it be effective when other methods or dips don't work.
Try using 1 packet or 1 capsule of Furan-2 to 2 cups of SW for 5-10 mins. Rinse well in SW before returning to tank.
You can find more info on this on zoaid.com in the article on zoa pox. I don't believe zoa pox is what you have, but we have found Furan-2 to be effective on other things as well and have used it several times.