HELP! Zoas continue to look very upset....

[theabbott1911]

Hi all! Ive had a tank set up for about 6 months now. 1st salt tank and have definitely had issues and learned a lot.

I have realled dialed in parameters over the past two months but since doing so many of my zoas are umbrella-ing and look as if they are starting to die off with no growth. 1 or 2 zoas are fine, but others have all the same look.

Parameters:
Phos - 0.03
Mag - 1420
Nitrate - 8.6
Alk - 8.7
Ca - 430

Any ideas?

 

[Palmtree14]

Zoas typically do this when they arent getting enough light or big swings in parameters. How long have you had these?

 

[shakacuz]

trace elements may be low, or perhaps testing error.

 

[theabbott1911]

Zoas typically do this when they arent getting enough light or big swings in parameters. How long have you had these?

Par on the rock is around 130ish. Would that be good for zoas? Ive had them around 4 months. They were thriving for awhile but the past 2 months have gone downhill.

 

[theabbott1911]

trace elements may be low, or perhaps testing error.

Gotcha. Ive recently gone away from relying on Hanna checkers. They have proven very inconsistent results from back to back repeated tests. Parameters are now checked with Hannas and double checked with saliferts.

As far as trace elements, i am doing a 10% water change bi-weekly. Should i go back to weekly or consider dosing?

 

[Palmtree14]

Par on the rock is around 130ish. Would that be good for zoas? Ive had them around 4 months. They were thriving for awhile but the past 2 months have gone downhill.

Thats plenty of light for Zoas.

 

[Seansea]

Like palmtree said thats plenty for zoas altho i do find they seem to like alot of light. Seen some growing on rocky shores of st thomas in like 6 inches of water and at times even out of water with insane amount of sun hitting them.

Do you have a fuge or algae scrubber? I find these compete directly with zoas for some of the same traces. Iodine specifically but iron, molybdenum manganese all contribute. When i started adding captiv8 isol traces to my ato they took off as well as using afr but afr wont keep up on its own. I do this in conjunction with icp test tho.

 

[shakacuz]

Gotcha. Ive recently gone away from relying on Hanna checkers. They have proven very inconsistent results from back to back repeated tests. Parameters are now checked with Hannas and double checked with saliferts.

As far as trace elements, i am doing a 10% water change bi-weekly. Should i go back to weekly or consider dosing?

iron is usually an element that would benefit your zoa's. perhaps investing in an ICP test to then have an idea of what is low or needs tending to.

 

[brucey]

Your phos is too low
A Reading of 0.03 will likely mean it’s closer to zero when you hear in mind the accuracy of hobby test kits
I’d up your phos a little or look closely at how your managing your nutrient export for any large swings

It won’t be light, I have zoas in less than 50 Par and there happily sticking out pups

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Personally I find that zoa's are picky and I would not classify them as an easy coral, pally's are much easier and forgiving in comparison.

I get the impression there have been several changes in the tank in past months, as you say, to dial in parameters,

I would also ask if you are absolutely sure about that par level, they really do look like they not getting enough light...

Also wonder why everything in the tank is so white after 6 months?

PS - that bubble algae is at the beginning stage of infestation, you should look into ways to eradicate it before it gets out of hand.