Zoas over extending and looking brown

Jasongtr

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Hi

I was under the impression that if the heads over stretch and start looking brown it's because they are straining for light and producing more zooxanthellae to capture more light.

This little colony is growing like a weed as you can see with the date stamped pictures, the picture from today was taken 30 mins after the lights went on but I guarantee when they reach the peak levels they will be turned inside out and more brown in colour.

Bit of the back story, we got them last September, they grew from about 8 heads to 21 then our foxface decided to eat most of them leaving just 6 heads, then we went through a dino issue where eventually the nitrates went high and they lost their proper colour, around April this year we have the nitrates and phosphates under control at 10/12ppm nitrate and .08 phosphate

What can I do to improve their colours, they are Pandora zoas so not the most vivid anyway but still not as dull as they have been.

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crazyfishmom

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It sounds like you’re doing it. It takes a long time for zoas that have browned to go back to their previous coloration. The obvious thing would be to move them up in the tank for two to three weeks and see whether you notice a positive change in behavior or coloration but it will definitely take time.
 
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Jasongtr

Jasongtr

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It sounds like you’re doing it. It takes a long time for zoas that have browned to go back to their previous coloration. The obvious thing would be to move them up in the tank for two to three weeks and see whether you notice a positive change in behavior or coloration but it will definitely take time.
Ok thanks, how long is a long time though ....?
 
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Jasongtr

Jasongtr

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Can be a couple of months unfortunately.
That's not so bad, I think they may be getting there but it could be wishful thinking, if we need the space we'll just move the rock to a less visible part of the tank... like hiding the ugly child at the back of a school photo
 

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