Zoanthids not doing too well

[encrustingacro]

My zoanthids are not doing so well. They have been shrinking for the last few months and have gotten to this size.

Why are they melting and what can I do to make them better? I have 3 ideas, but I'm not sure. This tank used to have some GSP (I took them out a few days ago), and from what I know, some soft corals can release chemicals that irritate other corals. I don't know if GSPs do this or not though. My 2nd idea is that there is too much calcium. I have had a bit of an issue with high calcium for a little while in my tanks. The last time I tested, calcium was over 500 ppm. My 3rd idea is that my nutrients have bottomed out. I don't really feed very often, that could have led to low nutrients. Can you help me make my zoas better please? I will post my parameters once I'm done testing.

 

[Timfish]

Lighting could also be an issue. Please list what your parameters actually are, water change frequency, what's being dosed or added besides food.

 

[encrustingacro]

Lighting could also be an issue. Please list what your parameters actually are, water change frequency, what's being dosed or added besides food.

I will get to testing my parameters soon. I was slacking off on water changes for a little while, doing them only about once a month or every few weeks, but I just did a water change yesterday. I used to put in All for Reef while mixing the water to raise the alkalinity, as the salt I am using has a dKH of around 7. This is probably the cause of the high calcium. Currently, I use a solution that only raises alkalinity when I mix my salt. I used to feed only once a week, as I didn’t high nutrients, but I am starting to feed more frequently now. I feed some Reef Nutrition product (I think it is ROE).

 

[encrustingacro]

Turns out I was wrong about the low nutrients thing. My nitrates are really high. Maybe that could be why my zoanthids are not doing so well?

 

[CocoReef]

Turns out I was wrong about the low nutrients thing. My nitrates are really high. Maybe that could be why my zoanthids are not doing so well?

They definitely look high. Lower with a water change and see if that helps them out. I found my zoas have always done best with nitrates at 3-8 ppm but it's different for every tank

 

[zheka757]

Mine was eaten by little star fish, forgot the name of them but they are half inch in size.

 

[Timfish]

Mine was eaten by little star fish, forgot the name of them but they are half inch in size.

See my post, #21 in this thread. I think it's more likely your zoas had a problem and the starfish were feeding off biofilm and not directly eating your zoas.

 

[Timfish]

. . . Turns out I was wrong about the low nutrients thing. My nitrates are really high. Maybe that could be why my zoanthids are not doing so well?

You also have low phosphates, that imbalance can be an issue. I'd echo CocoReef's suggestion to lower nitrates with water changes but you want to keep you phosphates roughly where they are. I'd maybe try some GAC to see if that helps any.

 

[encrustingacro]

I have done a ~50% water change.

 

[zheka757]

See my post, #21 in this thread. I think it's more likely your zoas had a problem and the starfish were feeding off biofilm and not directly eating your zoas.

Just ti make sure, im not a OP. But this is my zoah rock before and after.

 

[Timfish]

Just ti make sure, im not a OP. But this is my zoah rock before and after.

I understand you're not the OP.