Tips for keeping Zoa's in a SPS tank

[Skep18]

Hey everyone.

I'm building up a primarily SPS dominant tank but want to have a little zoa collection throughout. I know there's different flow/lighting needs that can be accommodated for as well as water "clealiness" that might be a challenge but I am looking for any of those good tips or guidance to have the best shot at doing it successfully.

Any experienced reefers out there who can give some good advice? A build thread of a Zoa/SPS tank would be awesome too for examples.

Thanks!

 

[Reefpuck]

I don't have any photos at the moment, but have predominantly SPS with zoas on the bottom section of the rocks. They get lower light/flow down there. I keep a low amount of nutrients (phosphates/nitrates) for the SPS.

IMO zoas are pretty easy to maintain...wouldn't worry about it too much.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Agree with above. Mine handle a decent amount of flow/light and handle the low nutrient environment just fine.

 

[Skep18]

I don't have any photos at the moment, but have predominantly SPS with zoas on the bottom section of the rocks. They get lower light/flow down there. I keep a low amount of nutrients (phosphates/nitrates) for the SPS.

IMO zoas are pretty easy to maintain...wouldn't worry about it too much.

Agree with above. Mine handle a decent amount of flow/light and handle the low nutrient environment just fine.

Thanks for the info!

Any insight as to if they tend to overgrow the area too quickly compared to SPS growth?

Are they easy enough to trim back on a glued rockscape (i.e. all done in the tank)?

 

[littlebigreef]

I've got a mixed reef. My suggestion, as others have mentioned, is to keep them on separate pieces of rock. If its not possible I wouldn't sweat it too much. I found that when growing together the sps either shades out the zoa or the zoa encroaches on the sps. As for water params zoas tend to be pretty forgiving and if you're feeding your corals something like reef roids the zoas will be able to grab what they need.

 

[Skep18]

I've got a mixed reef. My suggestion, as others have mentioned, is to keep them on separate pieces of rock. If its not possible I wouldn't sweat it too much. I found that when growing together the sps either shades out the zoa or the zoa encroaches on the sps. As for water params zoas tend to be pretty forgiving and if you're feeding your corals something like reef roids the zoas will be able to grab what they need.

Yea. I kinda dig the intermixed look somewhat but I am leery of being able to frag them out if they're all mixed in with the sticks. I think we're talking about maybe a few different areas to grow a few different morphs together.

Thanks!

 

[vetteguy53081]

It CAN be done !

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I concur with what others have already said. SPS are more finicky than most zoas. I'd tune my tank to the SPS and keep zoas that work in those conditions. Most will adapt to your tank IME.

 

[Reeferguy365]

Like everyone else has already said zoa's are extremely easy to grow I have them on my sand bed and a small colony of Fruit Loops growing at the top of my rocks getting high flow with my sps. Just make sure you plan the placement wisely because they grow quick

 

[Skep18]

I concur with what others have already said. SPS are more finicky than most zoas. I'd tune my tank to the SPS and keep zoas that work in those conditions. Most will adapt to your tank IME.

Like everyone else has already said zoa's are extremely easy to grow I have them on my sand bed and a small colony of Fruit Loops growing at the top of my rocks getting high flow with my sps. Just make sure you plan the placement wisely because they grow quick

Are they relatively easy to frag off the rock work if needed?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I concur with what others have already said. SPS are more finicky than most zoas. I'd tune my tank to the SPS and keep zoas that work in those conditions. Most will adapt to your tank IME.

And I agree. Not all zoas will be suitable with conditions/parameters needed for SPS. Its sort of a happy medium and balancing to make this concept successful

 

[wmwesty]

Thanks for the info!

Any insight as to if they tend to overgrow the area too quickly compared to SPS growth?

Are they easy enough to trim back on a glued rockscape (i.e. all done in the tank)?

I have mainly SPS but also some zoa colonies and they are a right pain as they overgrow too fast and are difficult to control

 

[Skep18]

I have mainly SPS but also some zoa colonies and they are a right pain as they overgrow too fast and are difficult to control

OH NO!!! Lol. This is kinda what my concern is...

Do you manage to control the growth or do you just let it go where ever?

 

[Reeferguy365]

Very hard to remove. You would have to remove the rock work that is why the Little Colony I have is on a removable Rock for easy trimming

 

[danschoenherr]

I know someone who has a large, SPS dominant tank and grows them well. He has a large variety of acros and milles and many are nice sized colonies. But, he also has a lot of different zoas/palys throughout the tank at all levels, so it can be done. What I do know about his tank, is that he feeds HEAVY, but has great nutrient export with a skimmer and algae scrubber. I recently set up an 80g with the hopes of it being zoa/paly dominant, but it is growning sps very nicely and the zoas are struggling. I guess I will take what my tank gives me and not try to force it to do something else.