Zoa tank water parameters?

HM3105 · Oct 21, 2015

Hi guys,

I was wondering if you would be so kind as to share the water parameters you strive for in your Zoa grow out tanks.

If this is not an appropriate question and I apologize in advance. I just wanted to see if I could figure out what I am doing wrong with my zoas.

Thank you

uniquecorals · Oct 22, 2015

HM3105 said:
Hi guys,

I was wondering if you would be so kind as to share the water parameters you strive for in your Zoa grow out tanks.

If this is not an appropriate question and I apologize in advance. I just wanted to see if I could figure out what I am doing wrong with my zoas.

Thank you

Absolutely not inappropriate. When I get to our facility, I'll take a look at the parameters and give you a little synopsis! Good topic!

Thanks,

Scott

HM3105 · Oct 23, 2015

uniquecorals said:
Absolutely not inappropriate. When I get to our facility, I'll take a look at the parameters and give you a little synopsis! Good topic!

Thanks,

Scott

That would be great, thank you for sharing!

uniquecorals · Oct 23, 2015

So, here were the stats today:

Temp 79.6F, pH 8.25, SG 1.025, Alk 8DKH, Mg 1360, PO4 0.16

Aquadelic · Oct 24, 2015

Thanks Scott. The zoas I have gotten from you have great color and are bright. Could you tell us something of the nitrate levels and lighting?

Appreciate the information!

HM3105 · Oct 24, 2015

uniquecorals said:
So, here were the stats today:

Temp 79.6F, pH 8.25, SG 1.025, Alk 8DKH, Mg 1360, PO4 0.16

Thank you! I really appreciate your willingness to share.

Zoaddicted · Oct 24, 2015

My sensitive zoas always start dying if my alkalinity and pH are unstable.

Some of my zoas die for no obvious reason at all :\

Dwilson67 · Oct 26, 2015

I had some beautiful sunny ds started out with 3 heads and was gonna good I was up to 9 heads and all of a sudden the past few weeks haven't been the same and not opening and my parameters are perfectly fine

uniquecorals · Oct 27, 2015

Dwilson67 said:
I had some beautiful sunny ds started out with 3 heads and was gonna good I was up to 9 heads and all of a sudden the past few weeks haven't been the same and not opening and my parameters are perfectly fine

Hmm...So many possibilities with Zoas...They sometimes kick butt and then simply close up for no apparent reason...Sometimes it's pests, other times, it's some sort of environmental lapse...Do check on the possibility that something is irritating it? That often accounts for sudden closing of zoas.

-Scott

Homebrwr · Oct 27, 2015

uniquecorals said:
So, here were the stats today:

Temp 79.6F, pH 8.25, SG 1.025, Alk 8DKH, Mg 1360, PO4 0.16

Not to hijack but what's the best kit for testing PO4?

Clownman727 · Oct 28, 2015

Hanna!!!

dragonfish · Oct 29, 2015

following

uniquecorals · Oct 29, 2015

Homebrwr said:
Not to hijack but what's the best kit for testing PO4?

For regualr testing, I like Salifert, myself.

uniquecorals · Oct 29, 2015

Another thing...and I really think the hardcore zoa guys are way more qualified than I to answer- but I think that many zoos harbor a surprising diversity of fauna- some good, some not so good..and some detrimental. I can't help but think that periodic "rises" in populations of the not-so-good guy contribute to a lot of "anomalous" zoa issues.

Anyone care to expand on this?

-Scott

Homebrwr · Oct 31, 2015

uniquecorals said:
For regualr testing, I like Salifert, myself.

Thanks!

Triggreef · Nov 1, 2015

uniquecorals said:
Another thing...and I really think the hardcore zoa guys are way more qualified than I to answer- but I think that many zoos harbor a surprising diversity of fauna- some good, some not so good..and some detrimental. I can't help but think that periodic "rises" in populations of the not-so-good guy contribute to a lot of "anomalous" zoa issues.

Anyone care to expand on this?

-Scott

Agreed 100%

A very un-precise dip with chemiclean seems to help quite a bit IME as long as you do it soon enough. I have some new arrivals (last week) that are having issues that I will be dipping today!

HM3105 · Nov 1, 2015

I'm not sure I can expand very much on it but I agree with you. Zoas are one of my favorite corals to keep (like everyone else) but I have a very common repeating problem with mine.

I buy a new frag, acclimate and dip it (Bayer) then in the tank. It usually opens in an hour or so. It'll grow, double or triple in size and then it happens. One day half of the polyps will be closed the next day the rest of the colony. Dipping in Lugols and/or fur an doesn't seem to help. Drives me crazy.