Make my zoas great (open) again

[bcarl77]

My zoas decided to close going on about 4 weeks now. Water parameters are: Temp: 77, pH 8.0 N:0 P:0, Alk 9. All corals including other zoas are having no issues and the tank looks great. I also spot feed and dose Red Sea Energy A&B. I have moved to several different areas and no change.

 

[John3]

They appear to be covered in algae or bacteria. If they are indeed covered in a layer of brown they likely won’t open again on their own and will melt away.

You can do a dip in peroxide followed by a iodine dip. That has had a good success rate for me in the past. I don’t know why but I seem to get this issue with new zoas I bring into my tank. Once I do the dips and get them opening again they normally take off and grow.

 

[bcarl77]

Do you dilute the peroxide at all? How long do you let them soak?

 

[Justfebreezeit]

1to1 ratio and about a minute.

I've done about 7-8 zoa frags this way with no ill effect.

 

[bcarl77]

Is this method any better than a freshwater dip??

 

[John3]

Yes 1 to 1 and only go a minute. Some will say longer but that’s when I have seen people have problems with peroxide. The peroxide will kill whatever that brown film is. There is debate as to what it actually is. I do not think freshwater will kill the brown film.

I like doing s iodine dip as well. I just use regular iodine you get at a drugstore. I use enough so I can’t see through it. Another min dip is what I do.

 

[bcarl77]

Alright, gave the peroxide a shot. Saw some little clear bugs come off. Not sure if they are pods or not

 

[timrocks311]

If they are covered in algae or anything, you can brush them off with a toothbrush.

 

[bcarl77]

I was able to scrape off the brown build up with morning. We will see if they open up later this afternoon....

 

[wyattray]

Following

 

[bcarl77]

They look better but still not opening...

 

[John3]

It will take 1-2 weeks. The important thing is to make sure the brown film is gone as they won’t open if that is there.

 

[bcarl77]

Completed the iodine dip on Sunday. Still not wanting to open.

 

[John3]

Give them time, if you can still see color inside the closed polyp and the brown film is gone they will most likely open. How’s the flow in the area of placement. Some flow helps keep the brown film off. Just don’t blast them.

 

[Cory p]

Following