Zoa dip strategy

russclark27 · Jun 8, 2020

Hi, I have a Zoa rock (pictured) which seems about 75% happy and 25% not so much. Been this way since I got it a few weeks ago.

Water parameters are good, other corals are happy, so I'm worried about pests.

Any recommendations on dipping? I could do Bayer, Hydrogen Peroxide, or maybe even both. Thought I'd ask the experts first, including maybe thoughts on dip strength?

Thanks!

Jvalle · Jun 8, 2020

Hi nice rock. I do both usually or use an iodine based dip. I would only dip the part that’s unhappy . It can be Algae growth inhibiting the opening in this area. Has it been Like this since u bought it? Thx

russclark27 · Jun 8, 2020

Jvalle said:
Hi nice rock. I do both usually or use an iodine based dip. I would only dip the part that’s unhappy . It can be Algae growth inhibiting the opening in this area. Has it been Like this since u bought it? Thx

Yes since I bought it. The unhappy side is the end you naturally grab to move it, so that might be part of it, and it's also the side closest to a cave where a grumpy black combtooth blenny lives, and he nipped it once or twice at first, but he's left it alone since.

I don't see any algae on there, but...?

IzzysPop · Jun 8, 2020

might just be the picture, but it loosk significantly brighter on that side of the rock. Have you moved it around to see if it's a lighting thing? I'm newer to the hobby, so maybe that's a dumb statement, but I've had to move different Zoas around the "garden rock" i am trying to build before they were all happy and wide open.

russclark27 · Jun 8, 2020

IzzysPop said:
might just be the picture, but it loosk significantly brighter on that side of the rock. Have you moved it around to see if it's a lighting thing? I'm newer to the hobby, so maybe that's a dumb statement, but I've had to move different Zoas around the "garden rock" i am trying to build before they were all happy and wide open.

It does look that way in the pic but there aren't any shadows over the rock. It's sitting in the open just left of center maybe 4 inches off the base of a Red Sea Reefer 250.

Jvalle · Jun 8, 2020

Zoas at times can be picky sometimes u can lose a few for no reason it happens. Try moving the flow too. I blast all my zoas found better growth that way plus eliminates waste settling on them. Move the rock around until it finds a spot it likes. Give it 2 days to adjust. At the end if they die in one area they will spread again or you can always do what I do and frag pieces you can’t see if the zoa like underneath and replace the lost pieces. I do it all the time with this colony thx

Jvalle · Jun 8, 2020

I would also adjust flow too they don’t look sick I would try giving more flow because it looks like they are trying to open . Thx

Jvalle · Jun 9, 2020

russclark27 said:
Yes since I bought it. The unhappy side is the end you naturally grab to move it, so that might be part of it, and it's also the side closest to a cave where a grumpy black combtooth blenny lives, and he nipped it once or twice at first, but he's left it alone since.

I don't see any algae on there, but...?

Hi any updates on your zoas ? Did u try adjusting flow ?

russclark27 · Jun 9, 2020

Jvalle said:
Hi any updates on your zoas ? Did u try adjusting flow ?

Just moved them this afternoon, they're still settling in so hard to tell... Thanks for checking though, I'll let you know!

russclark27 · Jun 12, 2020

Found a 2nd new spot. Overall the rock seems fine but the dudes on the right are still looking iffy. I think I'll just leave it for a week and keep an eye out.