What's irritating my Zoas?

[Doob]

They have been slowly dwindling over the last couple weeks. Some are stretched out, so I tried moving them up. I thought I saw some algae on a closed polyp, so I did a peroxide dip last night. Here's a photo from the dip container, followed by a photo from tonight.

These have always been the healthiest coral in my tank, now they're the only ones that don't look fantastic.

 

[Doob]

As I hit post, I noticed this. Looks like the same as what's on the zoas. I've never seen it in the tank before.

Brown web like algae. Long strings and air bubbles. Please don't say the D word!

 

[Jonathan Presseau]

Does it look like cyano? Might also be bryopsis?

 

[Doob]

It does not look like cyno. I had never heard of bryopsis, but a quick google says it's a green algae. This is definitely brown. I'll try to get a better pic.

 

[joshporksandwich]

Looks like cyano try to syphon out

 

[mallorieGgator]

I'd say cyanobacteria as well. It may be related to water parameters or lighting. Maybe try moving the zoas to a lower light area. You can also take a turkey baster and blow off the zoas. See if cleaning them off helps. If not then maybe try moving them.

 

[Doob]

Thanks, I moved a powerhead to aim at that spot, and moved the zoas to a bit more flow also.

I also found a problem with my radion. Ecosmart live was programmed for a 7 hours at 40%, but there was some problem programming the light itself. I didn't notice until my first day off when the light came on at 7am instead of noon. I'm guessing intensity was much higher too.

The peroxide did was a good way to go then, huh? You think they'll bounce back with lower light and higher flow?

 

[mallorieGgator]

I would personally just try to move them to lower light and use something to quickly blow the cyano off them like a turkey baster or put them kind of close to a power head for a second to clean them. Then I'd put them in a lower light, medium flow area so they can recover. I'd avoid dipping personally unless I saw something on them that made me think dipping was needed because it will stress them more. Just my opinion though.

 

[SeanD]

with the bubbles it looks like the dino stuff I just got done battling but hard to say

 

[mallorieGgator]

It is brown in the picture like dinos. It could be from high silicates if so. Where do you get your water from?

 

[mallorieGgator]

Is the brown only on the zoas or is it in other places in the tank?

 

[Tahoe61]

Resembles dino, not going to say that is what it absolutely is but that is what it looked like when I had an outbreak. Zoanthids in my tank were definitely affected and I saw a lot of die off.

 

[Doob]

It is brown in the picture like dinos. It could be from high silicates if so. Where do you get your water from?

BRS RO/DI system.

 

[Doob]

Resembles dino, not going to say that is what it absolutely is but that is what it looked like when I had an outbreak. Zoanthids in my tank were definitely affected and I saw a lot of die off.

I really hope not. I haven't seen any come back yet, zoas are still closed though.

 

[SeanD]

if its the Dino's, they would look like they were gone when the lights came on then be everywhere by evening. That was just my experience. I turned lights to just a few hours a day and water change water change water change. I even added bio pellets to help get the nitrates and phosphates out

 

[Doob]

I would personally just try to move them to lower light and use something to quickly blow the cyano off them like a turkey baster or put them kind of close to a power head for a second to clean them. Then I'd put them in a lower light, medium flow area so they can recover. I'd avoid dipping personally unless I saw something on them that made me think dipping was needed because it will stress them more. Just my opinion though.

Done

 

[mallorieGgator]

Hope they open up for you.

 

[Sir Pat]

As long as the dino/cyno (brown slime) isn't on them, they look like they will bounce back. Once looking happy again, slowely acclimate to more light again, so they don't stretch and dwindle.

I always see it take polyps time to open up completely after a peroxide dip. What methods did you use and at what dilution? How long were they dipped for? Ect.

 

[Second Shot]

Resembles dino, not going to say that is what it absolutely is but that is what it looked like when I had an outbreak. Zoanthids in my tank were definitely affected and I saw a lot of die off.

I agree looks like the dinos I had/have. My zoas did the same thing when I had outbreaks. I used vibrant but it took a real long time to beat them down. Plus I'm not sure they aren't going to come back at any moment.

 

[Triggreef]

Looks like dino to me.

For peroxide dip i put about 20 ml into about 2 cups tank water for about a minute. Don't let the bubbling get to crazy and should be fine. Idk if i would do peroxide for this though.