Zoa Questions

[a1t2o]

I got a plug with about 20 small zoas on it about a month ago and I'm having a little trouble with them. The polyps seem droopy almost like they are about to melt. I'm wondering if it is the lighting or what? The guy I got them from said that he was having the same issue but that was normal for him, zoas never did well in his tank. I was thinking that his lighting might have been a little high with MH's and I don't know where I should be placing them in mine. Currently I'm running a 4 bulb HO T5. I've tried placing them higher and lower for about a week or two at each spot but there hasn't been much difference. The odd thing is that they look pretty good when the moon lights come on but have also looked ok for a bit when I put them highed up. The zoas have short skirts and I try to keep them in medium flow, water parameters are stable with no skimmer (the guy I got them from heavily skimmed his tank). What should I do with these to help them improve?

[RJREEFER]

Bump for this guy... These were my zoas - and yes, I never really have luck with them, except for one small colony at the bottom of my tank. Have you tried target feeding them? I do that with my palys and they respond well to that. I'll follow this thread and keep posted....:beerchug:

[acharpenter]

Sounds like you may be moving them around a bit much before they can acclimate and get happy.

What size tank are they in?
Whats the tank height from the light to the sand?

I have a 40 breeder with a 6 blub Tek fixture that sits another 3-4 inches above the rim of the tank.

I start most of my Zoa's in the bottom of the tank in medium flow. After about 1 to 2 weeks if they are not happy, I raise them up 3-5 inches and repeat the process until they are happy.

I have Zoa's at the top of the tank about 6-8 inches from the light that are happy there like my Captain America's and Vampires but also have some at the very bottom of the tank that are growing like weeds like my Bam Bams and Teal Paly's

IIMHO - it all depends on the Zoa and what it likes

Good Luck!

[kensilvey]

Do they have white or brown spots on thier base/stalks. If so, this is known as Zoa Pocks, a disease, and are prolly doomed. Try cutting away infected Zoas and dispoe of them, keep fingers crossed. I keep the majority of mine at the bottom of my system under T5 lighting. I think I am at over 25-30 different spieces as of now and never have issues.Zoas and Palys are very easy to keep in a well cared for system. If your system is too clean/sterile,might be an issue.

[kevlake2005]

I should stop over... it feels like it's been forever since I've seen your tank.

[ArstenA]

If you have zoa pox here seems like a good article.

http://www.zoaid.com/articles004.php

[a1t2o]

I don't have zoa pox, the polyps are just small and droopy at times. My main concern would be to make them look healtier and bigger if possible. Right now they are higher up near my birds nest and seem a little happier, for now.