Zoas not opening

Aqauclear · Jul 20, 2020

2 months since I've had my zoas and they've all stopped opening for two weeks, only one of my zoas seem to be peaking out . My parameters:
Salinity: 1.025
Temperature: 78
Nitrate: 5.0 ppm
Phosphates: 0. 8 ppm
Alkalinity: 9 dkh
Ph: 7.8
Calcium: 520mg
Magnesium: my salt brand contains good amount of magnesium but don't have test kits for magnesium.

Oscar47f · Jul 20, 2020

Any of these parameters ever change at all? How’s the flow and lighting in the tank?? Could be as simple as dipping your zoanthids in iodine or coral dip or treating with chemiclean any visible parasites ?

JustDewwit · Jul 20, 2020

Phosphate is running too high, at .08 they are redlining. I recommend trying to keep salinity around 8.4. Reef crystal mix at 1.026 should keep you at 8.4 alkalinity if this is a softie tank. Run Some GFO and start a program to limit feeding and regular water changes + sand cleaning. You should be good to go

tankstudy · Jul 20, 2020

I'd recommend running an ammonia test & magnesium test as well.

Some of the hardier species can tolerate some presence of ammonia or elevated levels of magnesium but a lot from my experience will start to look poor after a few days or weeks.

Check all your water parameters and if those are correct than look at your collection for pests.

Aqauclear · Jul 20, 2020

JustDewwit said:
Phosphate is running too high, at .08 they are redlining. I recommend trying to keep salinity around 8.4. Reef crystal mix at 1.026 should keep you at 8.4 alkalinity if this is a softie tank. Run Some GFO and start a program to limit feeding and regular water changes + sand cleaning. You should be good to go

Oscar47f said:
Any of these parameters ever change at all? How’s the flow and lighting in the tank?? Could be as simple as dipping your zoanthids in iodine or coral dip or treating with chemiclean any visible parasites ?

I do dose
iodine, I've tried to dip them with it but nothing happend. My test kit doesn't get the exact amount of phosphate, I do have reef crystals tho. I put a phosphate sponge two days ago might of not gotten all the phosphates?

Creggers · Jul 20, 2020

My zoanthids can be finicky - what solved it for me was a large water change and a thorough cleaning. I turkey basted them and saw some detritus come off - I think over time you just need to give em a good wash and they'll be as good as new. Hope this helps!

Oscar47f · Jul 20, 2020

Your phosphates could be an issue but I’d say less likely I run mine at higher with no issues except some algae growth.. my test kit says 1.2 phosphate could be a problem and I recommend you reduce it (I don’t because I’m seeing good coloration and growth) and if you dip them in iodine and nothing happens I might suggest trying a more aggressive dip like chemiclean or something as many many times with inadequate flow even with adequate flow unwanted bacteria can colonize the outside of the polyp causing it to close..

Oscar47f · Jul 20, 2020

As previously stated turkeybasting then can help sometimes

Aqauclear · Jul 20, 2020

Oscar47f said:
As previously stated turkeybasting then can help sometimes

Will a small toothbrush work?

Thespammailaccount · Jul 20, 2020

Aqauclear said:
Will a small toothbrush work?

Do they look like they have a film on them?

Fishurama · Jul 20, 2020

Aqauclear said:
Will a small toothbrush work?

No that will irritate their soft flesh and keep them closed longer. Use a turkey baster and just give it a few small puffs.

Oscar47f · Jul 20, 2020

Aqauclear said:
Will a small toothbrush work?

It works, just be gentle and light ! Make sure you put them in good flow !

Aqauclear · Jul 20, 2020

Thespammailaccount said:
Do they look like they have a film on them?

They have some algae and maybe mucus?

Oscar47f · Jul 20, 2020

Fishurama said:
No that will irritate their soft flesh and keep them closed longer. Use a turkey baster and just give it a few small puffs.

Will only hurt them if you’re too rough... just make sure to be very very careful... try the chemiclean dip or a stronger type dip like furan if you’re at wits end

Thespammailaccount · Jul 20, 2020

Aqauclear said:
They have some algae and maybe mucus?

Like a white film that kind of looks like a fine piece of skin? What kind of algae? Is it brown or green?

Oscar47f · Jul 20, 2020

Aqauclear said:
They have some algae and maybe mucus?

Yup that’s what you need to get off them algae and the mucus is that after brushing or before ? Could be their toxins wear gloves and eye protection!

Aqauclear · Jul 20, 2020

Oscar47f said:
Yup that’s what you need to get off them algae and the mucus is that after brushing or before ? Could be their toxins wear gloves and eye protection!

Before

Fishurama · Jul 20, 2020

Oscar47f said:
Will only hurt them if you’re too rough... just make sure to be very very careful... try the chemiclean dip or a stronger type dip like furan if you’re at wits end

Even if you do it gently you will hurt them. If they carry palytoxin they will release it since it's under duress and possibly stress your fish out in you don't run carbon. All it will do it's end up bugging the coral more since it's a "softy." I would rather him bast it or do a FW or other dip as you mentioned, or even a water change after basting them.

EDIT: OP post some pictures please, preferably in white lights.

Thespammailaccount · Jul 20, 2020

When you say mucus are you seeing spots that look like pimples?

Oscar47f · Jul 20, 2020

Fishurama said:
Even if you do it gently you will hurt them. If they carry palytoxin they will release it since it's under duress and possibly stress your fish out in you don't run carbon. All it will do it's end up bugging the coral more since it's a "softy." I would rather him bast it or do a FW or other dip as you mentioned, or even a water change after basting them.

youre right that’s just what I typically do and I’ve never had issues I have160+ species, definitely dothe basting, dip and water change and always wear protection !