HELP!! What happened to my zoa!?!

[bikerbutter]

I get up this morning and the first thing I see is one of my vampire in drag polyps has shrunk down to nothing. what has happened? By the way,that zoa in the back looks rough I bought it dying from the pet store to try to save it.

 

[Lavey29]

You need to provide all tank parameters including age of the tank, salinity, light par, etc... are other corals in the tank.ok?

 

[bikerbutter]

You need to provide all tank parameters including age of the tank, salinity, light par, etc... are other corals in the tank.ok?

 

[bikerbutter]

You need to provide all tank parameters including age of the tank, salinity, light par, etc... are other corals in the tank.ok?

Everything else is healthy and happy

 

[Lavey29]

Everything else is healthy and happy

Ok, then waiting on your parameters as mentioned above

 

[SpartaReef]

Mine do that often and bounce back... personally i think they do an internal water change

 

[xXBlaznReaperXx]

I get up this morning and the first thing I see is one of my vampire in drag polyps has shrunk down to nothing. what has happened? By the way,that zoa in the back looks rough I bought it dying from the pet store to try to save it.

Sometimes the stretch out for light so could be adjusting. Zoas like more nutrients in water too.

But sometimes they just melt, I have saved some with peroxide dips.

 

[kevgib67]

Seriously if you truly want help listen to @Lavey29 and post your parameters.

 

[bikerbutter]

Ok, then waiting on your parameters as mentioned above

All was normal but nitrates were way high, almost to 40.

 

[bikerbutter]

Seriously if you truly want help listen to @Lavey29 and post your parameters.

I keep my parameters in check. If it was something so simple, I wouldn't have had to ask. Nitrates are the only one that runs up on me and that isn't the issue.

 

[kevgib67]

I keep my parameters in check. If it was something so simple, I wouldn't have had to ask. Nitrates are the only one that runs up on me and that isn't the issue.

Just trying to help but I guess we won’t be able to since you won’t post your parameters, good luck and I hope your zoas take a turn for the better.

 

[Lavey29]

All was normal but nitrates were way high, almost to 40.

That's a little elevated but not likely your problem. Would really need to compare all parameters along with age of the tank and par numbers. Some zoas like more light some less light. Have you done a recent ICP test to look at everything?

 

[bikerbutter]

Just trying to help but I guess we won’t be able to since you won’t post your parameters, good luck and I hope your zoas take a turn for the better.

Thank you for your efforts. I think something got on or in ot that it didn't care for, and that it worked it out.

 

[bikerbutter]

That's a little elevated but not likely your problem. Would really need to compare all parameters along with age of the tank and par numbers. Some zoas like more light some less light. Have you done a recent ICP test to look at everything?

I agree, got water today and will perform a change tonight but I don't believe that has anything at all to do with it. Everything else in the system is thriving. Even our cranky temperamental devils hand is looking healthy. The zoa is coming back. Very happy!!

Tank is 5 and one half months into life. My light isn't much(fluval 18w). Par maxes like 265 at 3 inches and falls off steeply after that. Got it when we were new and the lfs guy said it was the best thing ever. What is icp?

 

[bikerbutter]

Just trying to help but I guess we won’t be able to since you won’t post your parameters, good luck and I hope your zoas take a turn for the better.

Not to be difficult. I do appreciate your time.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I get up this morning and the first thing I see is one of my vampire in drag polyps has shrunk down to nothing. what has happened? By the way,that zoa in the back looks rough I bought it dying from the pet store to try to save it.

Stretching often indicates insufficient lighting but there may be more as its likely a sign of stress. Oten a simple dip in Lugols iodine can perk them up. There are a number of factors why zoas get moody 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.
Another is lack of feeding and food as infrequent feeding and low nutrients can lead to an entire colony melting down. You dont need to target feed as zoas are photosynthetic. It is generally found that 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
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: .04 - .08

 

[bikerbutter]

Stretching often indicates insufficient lighting but there may be more as its likely a sign of stress. Oten a simple dip in Lugols iodine can perk them up. There are a number of factors why zoas get moody 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.
Another is lack of feeding and food as infrequent feeding and low nutrients can lead to an entire colony melting down. You dont need to target feed as zoas are photosynthetic. It is generally found that 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
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: .04 - .08

Thank you. This is a TREMENDOUS help!! My wife and I appreciate it.

 

[Lavey29]

I agree, got water today and will perform a change tonight but I don't believe that has anything at all to do with it. Everything else in the system is thriving. Even our cranky temperamental devils hand is looking healthy. The zoa is coming back. Very happy!!

Tank is 5 and one half months into life. My light isn't much(fluval 18w). Par maxes like 265 at 3 inches and falls off steeply after that. Got it when we were new and the lfs guy said it was the best thing ever. What is icp?

ICP is a lab analysis of your water where they check everything especially stuff we cant test for like trace elements and contaminants. Cost like $45 and i suggest at least twice a year. Also get yourself some good home test kits like Hanna brand.

 

[bikerbutter]

ICP is a lab analysis of your water where they check everything especially stuff we cant test for like trace elements and contaminants. Cost like $45 and i suggest at least twice a year. Also get yourself some good home test kits like Hanna brand.

Awesome!! Ty. How can I get the icp test done? We currently have api standard and reef master test kits. Are api tests good?

 

[Lavey29]

API are ok but some say hard to read and not accurate. Most prefer hanna.

https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/a...tNOjytcNbTvpSN8ki_0ojRE3rqfBZujBoCbnEQAvD_BwE