Ideas for additives

[hiClouds]

I have a tank of zoa frags and I'm going to be buying additives to help them grow. Im currently dosing reef roids and I plan on using Koral Color and AB+. How does that sound? Am I leaving out anything important?

 

[vetteguy53081]

They require iodide which they convert to iodine
Limit enhancers which can be obtained from water changes, proper lighting and water flow

 

[hiClouds]

Thank you!

 

[RedFrog211]

I personally dose Seachem Fuel, which helps add iodide as @vetteguy53081 mentioned, though some may have better alternatives.

 

[hiClouds]

I'll look into it. Thanks redfrog.

 

[littlebigreef]

I've seen back and forth on treads before about whether it is necessary to dose a two- part (and magnesium). It's been my experience that zoas generally do fine as long at the PH is stable.

As for the lugol's I'm a plus one. Iodine tends to get used up pretty quickly after a water change so giving it a little bump between changes goes a long way.

On another thread we recently discussed Vitamin C dosing (Ascorbic Acid) and it's benefit to zoas (I'm a believer) but also the drawbacks as it can bottom out nitrates and phosphates.

Beyond that I know some local reefers that dose aminos to great effect but I can't offer any first hand experience there. It is, however, something I'm looking to try.

The last and greatest factor I'd add is feeding. Zoas are heterotrophic. They need to eat. What's more it's important to vary the size of what you're feeding them. Reef roids is a good starting point. Polyp Lab also has a polyp-booster that triggers the feeding response, whether it's snake oil or beneficial I'd like to hear others weight in. It's good to vary the food you're feeding them. Reefroids is 150-200 microns. You might also want to do a phyto, reef chilli or freeze dried cyclopes. Just remember with any of these products less is more and you need to keep a close eye on your water parameters for the first month or so to see how and in what proportions they affect your water chemistry.

 

[anthonygf]

For 5-7 years now my zoa's grow very well without target feeding, I dose in my 75 35m of phyto, 25 m of zooplankton, oyster & roti feast 2-3 times a week, 3 drops daily of Nyos Coral Nectar and on rare occasion like maybe once a month a powdered coral food. I feed my 8 fish flakes twice a day. Ten gallon water change a week. Hope this helps you.

 

[anthonygf]

And iodide one eye dropper full daily, iron every 3 days.

 

[hiClouds]

Thanks for the help. I'm definitely going to be looking into my tanks iodide/iodine needs now.

 

[anthonygf]

You will need to do an ICP test to see where your numbers are before you start dosing.

 

[anthonygf]

In april my iodine was zero/undetectable, after dosing, test last month is now 0.04ppm where it should be according to NSW.

 

[hiClouds]

In april my iodine was zero/undetectable, after dosing, test last month is now 0.04ppm where it should be according to NSW.

And what kind of changes did you see after starting to dose?

 

[anthonygf]

Well everything seems to be happier but it is hard to tell because in the past month my nitrate shot up from 5ppm to 25ppm, phosphate 0.04 to 0.131 after eradicating GHA. My Duncans are finally starting to show some life after 6 months of inactivity. GHA hasn't been a problem yet. Nothing bad though is good.

 

[hiClouds]

Oh ya. I would never dose something without measuring its levels first. Wish me luck.

 

[anthonygf]

Good luck. You won't need it if you keep doing what you are now, researching and go slow.
Some pics for you. First pic was my 4 year old 46 bowfront just before upgrading to 75 last October, second is 6 months later and third is another 6 months the first of the month.

 

[hiClouds]

Nothing great comes quickly in this hobby. Wow.. You clearly know what you are doing. You should be proud.

 

[anthonygf]

Thanks, I am.

 

[anthonygf]

Did lots of research for a year or so before starting and still learning, been doing fresh for 40 years now. I also have a 75 gallon South American cichlid tank.

 

[hiClouds]

I don't have the same years in as you but I did start with fresh. Saltwater was always the next level. Never had a cichlid tank but south American freshwater is the coolest whether its cichlids or big cats.

 

[anthonygf]

I don't have the same years in as you but I did start with fresh. Saltwater was always the next level. Never had a cichlid tank but south American freshwater is the coolest whether its cichlids or big cats.

You gotta start somewhere. And about the Reef Roids, I have some but will not use it because someone here mentioned that their clam had a bad reaction to it. I can't remember if he tried spot feeding or maybe the clam closed up to consume the food. Anyway just in case you get a clam someday do not spot feed them.