Zoas closed up after 7 days

[SteelRain]

Just picked up a couple frags of zoas. I added them to an office nano but now they won’t open up - they’ve been in the tank about a week. Only one or two heads partially open. I have a bunch of rock nems and hammers in this tank, no issues with them. Any ideas?

Parameters:
Salinity: 36
Alkalinity: 9.6
Calcium: 390
Phosphate: 0.5
Nitrate: 0.0

Thanks!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Just picked up a couple frags of zoas. I added them to an office nano but now they won’t open up - they’ve been in the tank about a week. Only one or two heads partially open. I have a bunch of rock nems and hammers in this tank, no issues with them. Any ideas?

Parameters:
Salinity: 36
Alkalinity: 9.6
Calcium: 390
Phosphate: 0.5
Nitrate: 0.0

Thanks!

Were these acclimated to tank or at least dipped?
It can be to too much light or water flow, sudden change of parameters and even use of vodka or carbon dosing that reduces nitrate quickly. Assure salinity and Phos has not become elevated. Oten a simple dip in Lugols iodine can perk them up. There are a number of factors why zoas close up especially water movement/flow as zoas do not require the consistent high flow conditions that SPS corals do. I would consider running moderate flow which is ideal but Zoa can adapt to low or high flow. In high flow, you will typically see polyps grow closer to the rock with shorter stalks.

Some safe ranges are :

dKH: 8.0 - 11
Calcium: 400 - 450
Magnesium: 1300 - 1350
Iodide: Maintained via regular water changes or manually at small dosages
Temperature: 78-79 degrees
pH: 8.1-8.3
Phosphates: .06 - .08
Nitrates < 15

 

[kevgib67]

Zoas like higher phosphates and nitrates. You may be starving them with 0 nitrates.