Zoas dirty water vs optimal

[Cryptocaryon]

The 2 photos are the same zoas one in phosphate of 0.25 nitrate of 20. 2nd 0.03 phosphate and 5 nitrate. Taken 1 month apart nothing else changed in the tank.

 

[SALTY 75]

The 2 photos are the same zoas one in phosphate of 0.25 nitrate of 20. 2nd 0.03 phosphate and 5 nitrate. Taken 1 month apart nothing else changed in the tank.

Zoas are just a magic coral. i have had them in high nitrates and low nitrates and everything in between and i cant get them to grow at all. i will have lps and sps growing fine and zoas dying. So as far as im considered anyone that can get them to grow just has a special magic tank

 

[JustDewwit]

They tend to like slightly higher PO4 near .04 for some reason I have noticed. I'm doing a similar examination with alkalinity and my zoa's. All stays at 8.4 constantly but they I noticed during a spike over the summer they really like the 9.2 range. Nice Pics btw

 

[GreatSouth BayReefs]

Ive noticed some zoas grow like wildfire, and others are super slow. I think it depends a lot on the specific species, where it is usually found in natural reef systems and making sure they do not move at all, either on the frags or if you move the rock theyre on to a different spot it can stunt growth. Just my own personal observations in my own tanks

 

[jordan10]

I have hurd from few venders at frag swaps that they seem to do better in dirtyer water.

 

[Cryptocaryon]

I have hurd from few venders at frag swaps that they seem to do better in dirtyer water.

I've heard this too, however in my case mine seem happier in more optimal conditions as pics show.

 

[blasterman]

Nitrate of 5 to 10 gives me the best growth by far. I rarely track phosphate because I dont keep acropora in paly heavy tanks and palys/zoas are documented to thrive in pretty turbid ocean conditions next to sewers and fertilizer run offs.

My really heavy paly tanks are difficult to keep nitrate elevated and if I dont heavy feed nitrate will drop to zero fast and growth suffers. Pretty obvious nitrate is being devoured.

The catch here is you can only run high nutrient if you have a lot of softies. Running high nutrient in a young tank is asking for trouble.