I love zoa gardens! How do you do it??

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

So I'm thinking I'd like to do a zoa garden, but I really like the ones that grow in distinct colonies (not all mixed together). Is there a solid tutorial around on how to do that? How would you do it?

This pic by @jourdy shows kinda what I'm going for! Love this!

 

[bsn_rn_cen]

Love those. Following for advice

 

[symon_say]

Following, I want to do this in my new tank

 

[Crabs McJones]

So I'm thinking I'd like to do a zoa garden, but I really like the ones that grow in distinct colonies (not all mixed together). Is there a solid tutorial around on how to do that? How would you do it?

This pic by @jourdy shows kinda what I'm going for! Love this!

You hit up @joshporksandwic for more frags to grow out lol

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

YES!!

 

[Katrina71]

You have R2R friends that spoil your kid reefer!

 

[vetteguy53081]

As with mine, you start with a rock like this and place one of each variety mixing colors into a color pattern and the growth will do the rest.

 

[symon_say]

As with mine, you start with a rock like this and place one of each variety mixing colors into a color pattern and the growth will do the rest.

Where did you get that rock?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Aquanerd.com

 

[ndrwater]

I also think Alternative Reef has something similar

 

[Nilo]

Try to get zoas that you know will grow at relatively the same rate. I tried this before and made the mistake of having a Pandora paly which grew over everything

 

[Dsnakes]

I also think Alternative Reef has something similar

That’s where I got a similar rock.

 

[saltyhog]

I did that and still got my Radioactive Dragon Eyes and King Midas all mixed up.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

Just waiting on em to fill in.

 

[ZipAdeeZoa]

When I was looking into how to do this it seemed the way to go was matching growth rates, polyp size and frequent fragging to maintain it. I think it's also recommended to make sure whatever surface each kind is growing on can be removed to make fragging easier.

Interested to see what other have had success with though!

 

[joe0813]

wouldn't the faster growing zoas eventually just over grow the slower ones?

 

[ZoWhat]

A pic like this put Dreams of Sugar-Plums dancing in your head that's just a FANTASY.

I'd say a pic like this is the result of 2% success rate BECAUSE.....

98% of most colorful Zoas are almost impossible to keep longterm. If your lighting, nutrients, or flow goes sideways, your Zoa Garden Paradise will mostly likely M E L T away.

Its WEIRD..... zoas are either 1) hardy and will grow out and last for awhile, or 2) will not acclimate well and will.melt away within weeks of buying it....ive never seen a zoa live past 24mos

Dont let that Zoa Garden Paradise pic motivate you to spend THOUSANDS of dollars chasing a garden where most zoas melt away in various 12mos life cycle.

That pic above is a moment frozen in time. Show me da money on that Garden at the end of year 2020... lol. Betcha 25% of those zoas are El'Melt'A'way'O

Its all Fantasy, I tell ya. Look away. Look away lol

 

[Nicholas Dushynsky]

A pic like this put Dreams of Sugar-Plums dancing in your head that's just a FANTASY.

I'd say a pic like this is the result of 2% success rate BECAUSE.....

98% of most colorful Zoas are almost impossible to keep longterm. If your lighting, nutrients, or flow goes sideways, your Zoa Garden Paradise will mostly likely M E L T away.

Its WEIRD..... zoas are either 1) hardy and will grow out and last for awhile, or 2) will not acclimate well and will.melt away within weeks of buying it....ive never seen a zoa live past 24mos

Dont let that Zoa Garden Paradise pic motivate you to spend THOUSANDS of dollars chasing a garden where most zoas melt away in various 12mos life cycle.

That pic above is a moment frozen in time. Show me da money on that Garden at the end of year 2020... lol. Betcha 25% of those zoas are El'Melt'A'way'O

Its all Fantasy, I tell ya. Look away. Look away lol

When you say, zoas live passed 24 months. Do you mean ever?

 

[ZoWhat]

When you say, zoas live passed 24 months. Do you mean ever?

I'm saying zoas are constantly growing spreading and dying in various patches.

I've not see or known a patch of zoas that are still a colony beyond 24mos.

I truly believe it's in their nature to grow. Spread. And melt away

 

[Reefpro]

I disagree. I’ve had several colonies that are and have been around for 3+ years. I truly believe it comes down to stability and good husbandry coupled with a lil bit of luck!!!!