Should zoas grow like this?

[newbreefr]

New to reefing. Tank running for about 4 months now. Bought my zoas and they don’t look the same as at the LFS. I noticed most reefers posting photos of zoas sitting closer down to the rock while mine stick out and stretch a bit. Is this normal or is closer to the rock the “correct” way?

 

[officialreefbros]

Often zoas stretch out when wanting/looking for more light but they do look fine there

 

[KandAReefs]

They look fine to me. If they are in lower lightning they will sometimes stretch up towards it but yours look fine.

 

[newbreefr]

They look fine to me. If they are in lower lightning they will sometimes stretch up towards it but yours look fine.

Sounds good. I have an Innovative Marine 15gal cube with a Kessil a360xe at 20% intensity peak. I don’t have a par meter so I’m trying to take it slow and not fry them hopefully. If I were to increase intensity what would be a good number to go to from 20% if you can offer any advice

 

[newbreefr]

Often zoas stretch out when wanting/looking for more light but they do look fine there

Sounds good. I have an Innovative Marine 15gal cube with a Kessil a360xe at 20% intensity peak. I don’t have a par meter so I’m trying to take it slow and not fry them hopefully. If I were to increase intensity what would be a good number to go to from 20% if you can offer any advice

 

[officialreefbros]

Sounds good. I have an Innovative Marine 15gal cube with a Kessil a360xe at 20% intensity peak. I don’t have a par meter so I’m trying to take it slow and not fry them hopefully. If I were to increase intensity what would be a good number to go to from 20% if you can offer

Slowly increase it and see how they respond. If they're your only coral you can raise it 5% and see how they look for the next few weeks and repeat. Just go slow and give them time

 

[tbrown]

Hard to see in the colony picture but mine stretch. Like others have said, usually they're reaching for light.

 

[newbreefr]

Slowly increase it and see how they respond. If they're your only coral you can raise it 5% and see how they look for the next few weeks and repeat. Just go slow and give them time

I have 3 zoas, 2 mushrooms, and a toadstool.

 

[BryanM]

Look pretty normal to me.

 

[KandAReefs]

I have 3 zoas, 2 mushrooms, and a toadstool.

In my experience the toadstool can handle just about any amount of light. Most mushrooms tend to like it a little lower but not all.