How to get the skirts of my ORA orange zoas to extend fully?

Kimberely · Dec 1, 2018

These had really long skirts when I first bought them, but they no longer extend fully. They have grown a few new polyps though. First picture was in the holding tank at the store and the second was taken today in my tank. Is it due to too much flow? Too little flow? Any advice appreciated.

Lovemyreef2015 · Dec 1, 2018

Could be due to stronger light intensity. Personally, I like the second photo better

Looks like you have a baby zoa growing in the second pic, they look healthy.

NS Mike D · Dec 1, 2018

Lovemyreef2015 said:
Could be due to stronger light intensity. Personally, I like the second photo better Looks like you have a baby zoa growing in the second pic, they look healthy.

+1 yeah, that tight look is very nice especially when they start covering the rocks and start bumping up to other zoas of different colors.

Beautiful orange color there

Kimberely · Dec 1, 2018

Lovemyreef2015 said:
Could be due to stronger light intensity. Personally, I like the second photo better Looks like you have a baby zoa growing in the second pic, they look healthy.

Thanks. Yeah, there's 2 babies already. I was worried the tight skirts meant they were unhappy.

John3 · Dec 1, 2018

More flow and the skirts might get longer again.

JustDewwit · Dec 1, 2018

I would increase the flow significantly. The results will not show for sometime but you will begin to notice the shirts length increase gradually in a few weeks.

DSC reef · Dec 1, 2018

How much flow do you have currently on the zoas? If it's significant I'd be careful adding to much. Indirect seemed to do best IME. I'm leaning towards lighting due to the pattern change on the polyps themselves as well.

Kimberely · Dec 1, 2018

There are 6 powerheads for a total of 5200gph in this 125 gallon tank. 4 are aimed towards the surface with the 2 with the highest flow rates on each end of the tank, pointed at the opposite end.

Lovemyreef2015 · Dec 1, 2018

Kimberely said:
There are 6 powerheads for a total of 5200gph in this 125 gallon tank. 4 are aimed towards the surface with the 2 with the highest flow rates on each end of the tank, pointed at the opposite end.

You have plenty of flow. I wouldn't change anything. The zoas look happy.