Zoas always closed?

Letterkenny · Oct 27, 2019

Not sure why but my zoa frag always seems to be closed. There was a time when I got it that all the polyps would fully open but I had to move it around a bit since it kept falling from the rocks I wanted it on. I moved it to this frag rock that I want to make a Zoa garden but still not having them open much. My main concern is I have 4 more frags coming in on Wednesday that I was hoping to put on that rock. Will this be an okay spot for them?

Excuse the clowns - they never let me take photos without them.

BamboozleBean · Oct 27, 2019

The flow or light probably changed from where you moved them, it could be stressing them out.

Rogued_Reefer · Oct 27, 2019

We need more information.

how long have they been closed?
How long since they’re in the new spot?
Did anything change in the tank during that time?

answer those and we can continue to try to figure out the issue.

Letterkenny · Oct 27, 2019

Since 10/23 in new spot, closed for the most part since 10/20. They were in another spot and would open more unless the hermits were on them. No changes in tank parameters. Added a cleaner shrimp and some snails today but that wouldn’t be the long term cause.

one other note was that they took a good 3 days or so to open when I originally got them which is longer than My experience with past tanks.

DSC reef · Oct 27, 2019

Zoas can be finicky so when they are open and growing I try to leave them be. Lighting and flow in that certain area is most likely your cause.

NanoDJS · Oct 27, 2019

Just a personal observation , but my z's/p's dont really take off and settle until i hard mount ...also check your iodide

Rogued_Reefer · Oct 27, 2019

Did you dip them?

DSC reef · Oct 27, 2019

If the zoas were happy before they were moved I would give them some time or relocate them.

Ly78 · Oct 27, 2019

How is tha flow at the bottom area? Possibly sand blowing down there irritating them?

Rogued_Reefer · Oct 27, 2019

My zoas don’t like the sandbed for instance. I set them on a rock in the middle of the tank and they loved it... to the point some of them grew from 16 heads to 32 in q month and some change

Letterkenny · Oct 27, 2019

Main reason why I moved them was because I didn’t have them glued down and they would keep falling and not opening up. I can flip flop corners or put on some rock if things don’t change soon. Yes I dipped them in Coral RX before adding to the tank.

Letterkenny · Oct 27, 2019

I ended up switching spots of that frag rock with the GSP to see if it likes the flow and lighting there better. We will see.

Letterkenny · Oct 28, 2019

Current update: still only having a couple open up in the new spot. Seems weird since all my other corals are happy. Thought these were supposed to be hardier than the rest?

jurgenph · Oct 28, 2019

hardier doesn't mean less temperamental

give em some time.

when i initially got my rastas, it took them about two months or so to take to my tank.

J.

Rogued_Reefer · Oct 28, 2019

jurgenph said:
hardier doesn't mean less temperamental
give em some time.

when i initially got my rastas, it took them about two months or so to take to my tank.

J.

I’m having the same “issue” with candy apples and utter chaos. Every other zoa is happy as heck but those two are still getting used to the tank

mfollen · Oct 28, 2019

I have had problems with zoas not fully open. They grew but did not thrive.

I asked some farmers at reefapalooza Chicago. I got advice to remove filter socks. I did and ever since wow - somuch of a difference. every paly looks is looking so much better.

I would only remove filter socks if you got a good handle on nutrients.

Rogued_Reefer · Oct 28, 2019

mfollen said:
I have had problems with zoas not fully open. They grew but did not thrive.

I asked some farmers at reefapalooza Chicago. I got advice to remove filter socks. I did and ever since wow - somuch of a difference. every paly looks is looking so much better.

I would only remove filter socks if you got a good handle on nutrients.

A buddy of mine runs his tank like that and his zoas thrive big time

Letterkenny · Oct 28, 2019

I have one filter sock so will consider removing it. I have a JBJ 45 with just a pair of clowns and two shrimp so light bioload. Just don’t know what else to put in that chamber!

Letterkenny · Nov 1, 2019

The frag still wants to stay closed. Quite odd since everything else is happy. I removed my filter sock just now so will see if that does anything in the next couple days.