Zoas not opening up

[Fredrxn]

Sup guys for last 3 weeks my zoas seem not want to open…I don’t feed them could that be the problem…seems like they open more if I blow them off…just tested par there in 80 to 90 par…I am dosing all for reef with a apex dose 12 mls daily…no changes in tank…anyone have any clue??heres some pics of the tank zoas apex light schedule

no3 15
Po4 0.05

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

if you are running carbon try changing it out, if not running carbon try that first.

 

[Fredrxn]

if you are running carbon try changing it out, if not running carbon try that first.

Would this work? BRS Bulk Bituminous Aquarium Carbon

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

yes, i prefer their rox carbon but its pretty much tomatoe, tomato...

 

[vetteguy53081]

Sup guys for last 3 weeks my zoas seem not want to open…I don’t feed them could that be the problem…seems like they open more if I blow them off…just tested par there in 80 to 90 par…I am dosing all for reef with a apex dose 12 mls daily…no changes in tank…anyone have any clue??heres some pics of the tank zoas apex light schedule

no3 15
Po4 0.05

There are a number of factors why zoas close up. Some are water movement/flow as zoas do not require the consistent high flow conditions that SPS corals do. I would consider a moderate flow environment ideal but Zoanthids, like most corals, can adapt to low or high flow. In high flow, you will typically see polyps grow closer to the rock with shorter stalks. Another is lack of feeding and food as infrequent feeding and ultra low nutrient conditions can lead to entire colony meltdowns. Target feeding is not a requirement as Zoanthids are photosynthetic. I have found that target feeding Zoanthids always provides mixed results, when a food particle falls onto the polyps. Also, lack of feeding and low nutrients can lead to an entire colony melting down. You dont need to target feed as zoas are photosynthetic. Target feeding zoas always provides mixed results when a food falls onto their polyps.

Back to parameters, good water quality is a must.
dKH: 8.0 - 11.0
Calcium: 400 - 440
Magnesium: 1300 - 1350
Iodide: Maintained via regular water changes or manually at small dosages
Temperature: 78-79 degrees
pH: 8.1-8.3
Phosphates: .04 - .08
Nitrates < 10

Asterina stars, little tiny tiny spiders and nudibranchs also will make them miserable to point of death as will aptasia, worms like spinoids or vermetid snails. A few things to look for.

 

[Fredrxn]

There are a number of factors why zoas close up. Some are water movement/flow as zoas do not require the consistent high flow conditions that SPS corals do. I would consider a moderate flow environment ideal but Zoanthids, like most corals, can adapt to low or high flow. In high flow, you will typically see polyps grow closer to the rock with shorter stalks. Another is lack of feeding and food as infrequent feeding and ultra low nutrient conditions can lead to entire colony meltdowns. Target feeding is not a requirement as Zoanthids are photosynthetic. I have found that target feeding Zoanthids always provides mixed results, when a food particle falls onto the polyps.

Back to parameters, good water quality is a must.
dKH: 8.0 - 11.0
Calcium: 400 - 440
Magnesium: 1300 - 1350
Iodide: Maintained via regular water changes or manually at small dosages
Temperature: 78-79 degrees
pH: 8.1-8.3
Phosphates: .04 - .06
Nitrates < 10

Asterina stars, little tiny tiny spiders and nudibranchs also will make them miserable to point of death as will aptasia, worms like spinoids or vermetid snails. A few things to look for.

Think I might just dip the zoas…here’s a icp test from a few weeks do u see anything in there that would make zoas not open

 

[vetteguy53081]

Think I might just dip the zoas…here’s a icp test from a few weeks do u see anything in there that would make zoas not open

IUodine a little low on ICP
You can add Iodide to water which zoa convert to needed iodine. Also assure moderate- not bright light and subtle water flow