Oh my dying zoas!!!

jimbojimmy · Mar 10, 2014

I have a 29gal Biocube with stock lighting. The tank has been established for roughly 3 months. All my levels are in check, water changes once a week. I had a couple of zoa frags in my thriving a month ago, I've noticed a severe decline in their health (see pics). I originally thought, it must be low nutrients (because it's a fairly new system), however, this cannot be the only problem.

The first picture of a zoa frag was placed in the tank roughly 2 weeks ago and this has what its become.

The other zoas that have been attached to rock (pictured) are slowly but surely melting away.

I'm thinking I may have a pest on my hand, something along the lines of a worm... if anyone could help me with this issue it would be greatly appreciated

Hot Sauce · Mar 10, 2014

The first pic looks like it's covered in dead hair algae. Was it dipped in something to kill the algae?

Pic 1 & 2 look like they can still be saved imo. Are they getting enough water flow?

jimbojimmy · Mar 10, 2014

Dipped in iodine solution and directions were followed.

Bubbles_B · Mar 10, 2014

Has the temp in your tank been fluctuating 4-5 degrees?

Hot Sauce · Mar 11, 2014

Pic 1 won't recover unless you carefully, manually remove the dead algae all over it with damaging the polyps. You could do most of it with tweezers.
Are you feeding anything? They might be starving in a new aquarium.

that Reef Guy · Mar 11, 2014

Looks like Zoa Pox

They need to be dipped in Furan 2 (Note the White Zits).

that Reef Guy · Mar 11, 2014

Read this article for more information.

CoralPedia.com :: Articles :: ZoaPox (Zoa Pox); the search for the cause and cure

That will explain how to treat it.

NanaReefer · Mar 11, 2014

I see no Zoa Pox on any of these frags.

ReefMadScientist · Mar 11, 2014

I had a zoa spider desolate my zoas.

Hot Sauce · Mar 11, 2014

Hot Sauce said:
Pic 1 won't recover unless you carefully, manually remove the dead algae all over it withOUT damaging the polyps.

Typo fixed (no edit button)

that Reef Guy · Mar 11, 2014

NanaReefer said:
I see no Zoa Pox on any of these frags.

You do not see the Hundreds of White Dots all over these Frags?

They are everywhere.

jimbojimmy · Mar 26, 2014

To answer questions, sorry for neglecting to respond. I believe some of the issues are in regards to temperature and water circulation. I will most definitely pick-up Furan 2. The temperature in my tank was dipping and raising all throughout the day (more then likely because of the compact bulbs). I started leaving the rear hood open and it seems to help keep the temperature consistent, also running a heater at 79.8F. My phosphate levels were also high, soon to acquire a reverse osmosis system.

Removed hair algae with hemostats, they're not dead but slowly recovering.

As for adding circulation to my tank, I was looking at the 600 Hydor Koralia Evolution Pump, however, I'm curious as to where I should place it? Or perhaps add two pumps?

Bradsreeeftank · Mar 26, 2014

the 2nd pic looks like the zoas havnt been blown off since 1922

rlman41299 · Mar 26, 2014

IMO i would say first it has something to do with your lighting PC lighting is not sufficient enough to sustain the lighting requirement of the coral IMO. Secondly, the tank may be too young to have corals based on the rocks they are attached to looks like they haven't even went through a cycle yet. These are just IMO.
Take it slow.

that Reef Guy · Mar 30, 2014

rlman41299 said:
IMO i would say first it has something to do with your lighting PC lighting is not sufficient enough to sustain the lighting requirement of the coral IMO. Secondly, the tank may be too young to have corals based on the rocks they are attached to looks like they haven't even went through a cycle yet. These are just IMO.
Take it slow.

1. Although PC are not the best Light out there people do keep plenty of Coral (Especially Softies) - Look at all the Zillions of Stock Bio-Cubes that are Reef Tanks.

2. Why would it be too young of a Tank for Coral? Softies are easy to keep/
I started a Frag Tank and starting adding Coral on the second day with no problems whatsoever. (I would not necessarily recommend something like that for say Acros but Zoanthids would be fine as long as the tank did not cycle or is fully cycled.