Help with my Zoas

[Tyler Bullock]

Hello, I had probably 10-12 mini colonies of zoas I moved to my 90 gallon about 3 months ago. For the first two months in the 90 they were growing and looked really well. Then one colony started to close up. My tank is in my office so I watch it pretty much for about 4-5 hours a night. No fish were biting them. I do have one fish who would rest on them for a few secs, then would swim away. They would usually close up a little then open right back up a few minutes later. One day I come home from work and then the hole colony was closed. Its been like that for some. Then they would get a little bit of algae built up around them. I did a peroxide dip and put it back in the tank. I would get maybe one or two polyps to come out for a few days then close and I would be back at square one. Then one by one. My other colonies started doing it as well. I have already lost 3 of the colonies from this. They just started to melt away. I really only have one good looking colony now and I am at a loss. Not sure what to do next. I checked my N03 and P04 they were at N03=2.0 and P04=.08. I did the recommended dosing of phosphate x and got the phosphates down to .05 in two weeks. Still nothing. Just horrid looking zoa's. I thought about using some furan-2, iodine dip, bayer dip, or throwing them in my fluval 13.5. I need some advise.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Terry Mattson]

Test your iodine level in your tank. I had zoa colonies that did what you described. My iodine level tested to be <.01. My lfs owner suggested to test and dose iodine level to .06 ppm. He had seen zoas not opening on client tanks. And after elimination all of the other factors like pest, nutrients and chemistry he tested and dosed brightwell iodine to natural sea level of .06. In my case, I dosed iodine to .06 and within 24 to 48 hours 100% of the zoas openned. They have grown and multiplied since. I dose about 2 drops a week to keep them happy. I use the red sea iodine pro test kit....

 

[Terry Mattson]

It may be helpful to the community to supply your tank parameters of SG, calcium, DKH, Temp, PH, and Magnesium.

 

[Tyler Bullock]

I do this all by hand until i get the funds for a controler and doser. but SG is pretty stable around 34.8-35.2. calcium is around 420. DKH was at 8.5 last night. Temp is 77-78. I don't test PH right now. Last time i did it was at 7.9-8.0 and magnesium is around 1300.

SG, DKH I use hanna checkers
Calcium, mag I use red sea testers
Temp I just have a thermometer

 

[Tyler Bullock]

I will look into iodine test kits and dosing.

 

[Tyler Bullock]

I do have coral rx. I know its a dip. Isn't that iodine? could I dose that? or shall I not test the water with dosing that?

 

[Shirley Weller]

I do have coral rx. I know its a dip. Isn't that iodine? could I dose that? or shall I not test the water with dosing that?

I believe you’re incorrect about coral rx being iodine. Their website explicitly states that it contains NO iodine. I would recommend using seachem fuel. I’ve had good results using it. You can go to fuel’s site & read what’s in it. I would never add anything to my tank that’s not intended to be used that way.