zoas not growing

[tcfls2]

I have an aqueon evolve 8 that has been setup for about 3 years now. I have had zoas for about 1 year now. There are about 10 different types of zoas (mostly small frags) in the tank. Half of the frags are open, but are stretching and shrinking. I have some pink zippers that seem to be spreading, but they are about 3-4 inches tall. My god of wars are about 2 inches and are spreading like an umbrella. I tried turning the light up, but didn't change anything and it started bleaching my encrusting monti and mint pavona. I have tested a few parameters: salinity 1.025, ammonia 0ppm, nitrite 0ppm, nitrate 5-10ppm, phosphate 0ppm, calcium 360ppm and dkh 6. If there is anything I am leaving out please let me know. Is there something else besides lighting that would cause this?

 

[that Reef Guy]

It could be any number of things or a combination.

Click on the Link Below.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/s...nthids-happy-healthy-and-growing-fast.250791/

Some Simple Tips for Keeping Zoanthids Happy, Healthy, and Growing Fast

I give alot of Tips in that Thread that will Help You with Zoanthids.

 

[that Reef Guy]

What are you Testing Your Salinity With?

Calcium and Alkalinity are Low (Alkalinity is Dangerously Low).

What are you using to Test Those With?

What Lights do you Have?

What Power Heads do you Have?

 

[tcfls2]

I tested the salinity with a cheap refractometer from amazon. I have API test kits that I bought about a couple weeks ago. The light is a 120 watt full spectrum black box from ebay. I have the stock return pump that is about 90gph and another 90gph powerhead in the tank. I haven't spot fed the zoas, but I do feed my yellow watchman goby and my flaming dendros mysis and brine shrimp. I will definitely try the bayer dip just to be safe, but I haven't had any zoas that are closing. Thank you for your quick reply and help.

 

[that Reef Guy]

I tested the salinity with a cheap refractometer from amazon. I have API test kits that I bought about a couple weeks ago. The light is a 120 watt full spectrum black box from ebay. I have the stock return pump that is about 90gph and another 90gph powerhead in the tank. I haven't spot fed the zoas, but I do feed my yellow watchman goby and my flaming dendros mysis and brine shrimp. I will definitely try the bayer dip just to be safe, but I haven't had any zoas that are closing. Thank you for your quick reply and help.

Your Welcome

What are you using to Calibrate the Refractometer With?

The API Tests for Alkalinity and Calcium are Garbage.

I have seen Calcium off by as much as 100 and Alkalinity off by as Much as 4 Points with API Kits!

I would get more Accurate Kits Like Salifert.

Zoanthids Love Flow.

They Grow Like Weeds when you give them Tons of Flow.

I would get a Couple Koralia Nano 565's

 

[tcfls2]

I will try the other test kits out. How much flow should I have? The tank is only about 5-6 gallons in the display portion. I tried a jebao rw4 and it seemed to be too much flow. The zoas closed up and the sand was blowing everywhere.

 

[that Reef Guy]

I will try the other test kits out. How much flow should I have? The tank is only about 5-6 gallons in the display portion. I tried a jebao rw4 and it seemed to be too much flow. The zoas closed up and the sand was blowing everywhere.

Try a Hydor Koralia Nano

They are Very Small and Cheap.