Is this normal for Zoas?

[mbarber87]

I'm very new to the coral game, I've had a tank up for about one year. When it comes to Zoas opening up, is it normal that they don't extend the entire way out. It looks as though they aren't fully opening up.

Also, is it normal for them to open and close all day?

 

[Copingwithpods]

A picture is worth a thousand words, if you could post one it would clear alot up.

Zoas open and close all day be it a hermit crab looking for food or a fish eating copepods from around them, could be they captured something from the water column and are eating. All normal behavior. Picture will still help rule out any oddities.

 

[danieyella]

Yes, pictures please! I have some that are newer and not used to my clowns yet so they close constantly as they swim around them, and I have some that have been with my clowns for 2 years and dont close with hermit crabs walking across them. It could be something as simple as disruption nearby or catching food from the water column. It could be parameters, it could be flow, etc

 

[mbarber87]

Yes, pictures please! I have some that are newer and not used to my clowns yet so they close constantly as they swim around them, and I have some that have been with my clowns for 2 years and dont close with hermit crabs walking across them. It could be something as simple as disruption nearby or catching food from the water column. It could be parameters, it could be flow, etc

here is a few pics.

 

[Copingwithpods]

They do look a little odd, what are your parameters and what lights are you using?

 

[mbarber87]

I’m using ReefLED 90s. Medium flow. Medium lighting.


Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - 0
Calcium - 440
Ph - 8.0-8.1
Phosphates - 0
ALk - 8
Cal - 450
Salinity - 34ppm
Temp - 75.5

 

[Copingwithpods]

Temp is on the low side but as long as it's stable there it shouldn't be an issue.

Is NO3 PO4 actually zero like 0.00 or api test kit zero? That could be an issue all on its own as there are no nutrients.

What's this?

 

[danieyella]

Is NO3 PO4 actually zero like 0.00 or api test kit zero? That could be an issue all on its own as there are no nutrients.

I agree, I find mine do best with some detectable levels of both. How long have those guys been in your tank?

 

[mbarber87]

Just a little bit of hair algae. Picture quality is horrible I can’t seem to snap a clear one.

I do directly feed them reef roids. And do 10% water changes once a week. Think I should increase temp?

 

[Ewok1]

Temp is on the low side but as long as it's stable there it shouldn't be an issue.

Is NO3 PO4 actually zero like 0.00 or api test kit zero? That could be an issue all on its own as there are no nutrients.

What's this?

Maybe it’s too much light. they look like they’re pretty high up in the tank near the light source. Can’t tell what the brown stuff is it’s too blurry but maybe aptasia?

 

[mbarber87]

Maybe it’s too much light. they look like they’re pretty high up in the tank near the light source. Can’t tell what the brown stuff is it’s too blurry but maybe aptasia?

Def not aptaisoa. But it’s Some algae that I need to clean off with a toothbrush. It’s really only on this frag.
The light is at 40% intensity so I couldn’t imagine it being the light. I had them on the floor of the tank and still had the same issue.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Hi,

quick question, how long have you had them and did you dip them before you put them into the tank?

 

[mbarber87]

Hi,

quick question, how long have you had them and did you dip them before you put them into the tank?

I’ve had them about 3 weeks. And yes I dipped them

 

[vetteguy53081]

Dip in peroxide, bring temp to 78 degrees, moderate water flow over them and add iodine to tank.

 

[Copingwithpods]

Dip in peroxide, bring temp to 78 degrees, moderate water flow over them and add iodine to tank.

This but bring your temp up slowly, like over the course of a week.

I don't think it's light related either as they will adapt to alot of intensities.

It wouldn't hurt to pull a plug and carefully inspect it for zoa pox or spiders or even spaghetti worms. There could be baby aptasias there too, re dip and then do an iodine dip.