What's a good step-by-step process of elimination for getting zoas to be happy?

WhalesLovePineapple · Oct 6, 2018

I bought a few zoas which looked great from the seller's tank but aren't opening fully in mine.

1st step would be to check parameters to ensure everything is good for an aquarium.
what would come next?

Increase/Decrease the lighting?
Move the frag around to different heights of the tank?
Make the water "dirtier/cleaner" with extra feeding?

Also my concern is that I have other corals who are happy, so changing lighting and water quality just for these zoas may disrupt their happiness, causing a balance equation problem

VB313 · Oct 6, 2018

I have a lot of luck starting my frags on the bottom for a week before moving them around

Jason mack · Oct 6, 2018

If my parameters were good then I would start them low in the tank ..check for pests ..and I dose vitamin C for my zoas .. I’ve not had any melt away since I started that

ADAM · Oct 12, 2018

Consistency is the biggest key for mine, aside from proper placement (Spek Kraks are mostly shaded and grow like crazy, where as Hyper Jubilee will barley open when shaded like the Kraks)

I use to chase water quality and struggled with Zoas and LPS. Once I threw out most additives and went with 20% water changes every 7-10 days (when schedule permits with 4 kids!) my Zoas, and whole system really, started to thrive. I now use Red Sea Coral Pro Salt which has made a difference also. The right salt mix or additive system (if using) for YOU and YOUR system is key. What works for one doesn't always work for another.

Katrina71 · Oct 12, 2018

Jason mack said:
If my parameters were good then I would start them low in the tank ..check for pests ..and I dose vitamin C for my zoas .. I’ve not had any melt away since I started that

What exactly do you use please?

Thomthom329 · Oct 12, 2018

How long have they been in your tank? Are they still on frags? Where? What’s your flow and lighting? What other corals do you have that are thriving? What are you specific parameters?

As others have mentioned, there could be a lot of reasons for your issues but you’ll need to provide more info before we can suggest any solutions. Good luck.

vetteguy53081 · Oct 12, 2018

For me- Amino acids, potassium, strontium and trace elements

KenO · Oct 12, 2018

Since I started using Tropic Marin Balling Light and Coral Frenzy, my zoas are growing steadily. I have some of the same type under different lights at different levels and it doesn’t seem to matter. All are growing nicely. I also don’t use a skimmer, I have a Clear Water ATS. I use the coral frenzy 3-4x/week.