Is my Zoa dying?

[RecoveryReef]

I’m not sure why but my Zoa looks to be dying.
Tank Perameters:
Alk: 11.2
Calc: 480
Mag 1360
Phosphate: somewhere around 2 maybe 3
*def on the high side*
Nitrates: 15
Been on vacation for a week. Did a water change of 15 gals 2 days in a row for a total of 30gals

Tank Red Sea Reefer 350 for 91 gal total volume.

 

[shakacuz]

they do not seem to be dying, but definitely not liking their environment. what's your salinity? temp? have any hermit crabs or snails that could've been on the zoa and ticked it off?

 

[polyppal]

Might be too much light. Some Zoas really like minimal lighting while others tolerate more intense.

 

[RecoveryReef]

they do not seem to be dying, but definitely not liking their environment. what's your salinity? temp? have any hermit crabs or snails that could've been on the zoa and ticked it off?

Salinity is 1.024 temp 77

it’s very possible crabs have been messing with them. I have a jackolantern lepto that’s also either getting picked on or I have a parasite?

 

[shakacuz]

might be too much light. that lepto shows signs of STN. so either you had a recent swing, or something caused the stress (potentially light)

 

[RecoveryReef]

Might be too much light. Some Zoas really like minimal lighting while others tolerate more intense.

I can understand that… I have adjusted my lights down from 100% to 80% and whites down from 60 to 40 and see where that takes me. I’m still learning… only just started reefing this year in February.

might be too much light. that lepto shows signs of STN. so either you had a recent swing, or something caused the stress (potentially light)

Here’s my new light settings….

 

[polyppal]

Kinda hard to tell from the tank shot, but if they are up on the rocks I’d move Them to the bottom. Then you can gauge how high you can go up with each variety until they start to close up

 

[RecoveryReef]

I really need a PAR meter…. Would help dramatically. But I understand your logic from ground up. Will try that on a few that seem to be having troubles.

 

[polyppal]

I really need a PAR meter…. Would help dramatically. But I understand your logic from ground up. Will try that on a few that seem to be having troubles.

Problem with Zoas is that each different type can be finicky about lighting, so if a general Zoa guide says “150 par”, some may be happy with that while others close up till they’re at 75 par… that’s where it’s a good idea to move them around until you find a spot they’re happy then glue down if you like