What light settings for zoas

[new-judge]

Hi guys,
I have a little frag tank (about 30-40L) where I have only zoas at the moment. What kind of light settings would you recommend for them. They don’t really want to open and all my parameters are good so I reckon I might have off lights setup. I’m using AI Prime 16hd lights.

 

[william Lutman]

A PAR reading would be helpful. Typically 80-120 PAR - low light. If you don't have access, more light if they are stretching and less if they are pulled tight.

 

[ColorMeGone]

My 16 HD is set at
42
42
31
31
3
3
3 for white but its up to you how much you like.
8" off the water over a 12" deep tank.
2 hr ramp up, 8 hrs run and 2 hr ramp down.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I have AI Prime on a 15 gallon tank, mainly zoa's and mushrooms, the light is set at 80% for 10 hours per day. My zoa's grow well.

 

[VintageReefer]

Ai prime over a Waterbox 15 and most channels were 80%. Whites were around 15%. This did well for lps and zoa

 

[new-judge]

A PAR reading would be helpful. Typically 80-120 PAR - low light. If you don't have access, more light if they are stretching and less if they are pulled tight.

Yeah I have to rent PAR meter from my lfs

 

[william Lutman]

I finally sprung for the high end Apogee. I don't use it often, but it doesn't lie. Your eyes do

 

[fishnchips17]

I don't think par is very important for zoas at all, just as long as you have enough par that will keep any coral alive. I have zoas growing at the top of my tank to the water line and zoas growing on the sandbed. I even have zoas growing partially to the underside of my rock that is partially shaded.

So if your not having success with zoas, I would look at other things like nutrient levels.

I do keep my tank high nutrients like phosphates at 0.25 and nitrates at 20, so maybe that's the secret sauce for my tank. I also have a refugium so the high nutrients doesn't cause algae growth.