browning of zoas and palys , questions

[katymunoz]

So I was just curious, when you have zoos that have been in the same location and all of a sudden seem to brown out for no reason, why would that be? the polyps are still opening, just the color is much more brown than usual.

Also, in a case of where a zoo or paly needs more light, and is brown because of that reason, how long after moving it upward do you notice the return of color? I had some brown out after moving them around in my tank and a bit lower, so I moved them up, but just wondered how long until I can expect a color return.... I assume it will return right? lol

thanks all you zoa lovers!

[n_prise]

Originally Posted by katymunoz

So I was just curious, when you have zoos that have been in the same location and all of a sudden seem to brown out for no reason, why would that be? the polyps are still opening, just the color is much more brown than usual.

Also, in a case of where a zoo or paly needs more light, and is brown because of that reason, how long after moving it upward do you notice the return of color? I had some brown out after moving them around in my tank and a bit lower, so I moved them up, but just wondered how long until I can expect a color return.... I assume it will return right? lol

thanks all you zoa lovers!

were they brought in from the wild? how long have they been in your tank?

[katymunoz]

Originally Posted by n_prise

were they brought in from the wild? how long have they been in your tank?

Not sure where their original locations were from. I bought them from fish stores And other reefers. I've had the colonies from 4-5 months and up.

[katymunoz]

Anyone have experiences like me?

[FoundNemo]

Yes I have this problem!! it seems to be more likely to happen with wild zoa's then AC. Knock on wood I have not had this problem with wild or AC paly's. My tank is near (IMO) perfect. However, I think there is a connection between Browning and higher pH. Awhile back my pH rose to 8.97. I notice most of my wild zoa's closed up then started to brown. I use to dip them in coral rx to stop the browning. However, I really did not notice any difference between dipping and not dipping. My false yellow tang and blue leg hermits would scavenge the dying/dead tissue. Then in about a week the remaining polyps would open. Moderate flow over the polyps, even temp, and a little lugol's solution seems to help out. However, if you caribbean or Florida based wild zoo's good luck. Those guys are rather difficult to find the right blend to keep them from browning and then melting.

GL PM is you have more questions.

[katymunoz]

I am definitely going to check my ph then! I do agree with some of the colonies seeming to have such a small window between just browning and a pure meltdown for no reason!!! I have had colonies of 20-30 polyps and they will melt down to one, and then give it a couple months and they are built back up again in a few months.... And nothing changed in my tank at all!

[FoundNemo]

Yep it is the joys of having zoa's, LOL!! I had a colony that grew from two polyps to about 80+ over two years then turned brown, melted, and grew back. What can you say...... Either you love 'em or you go SPS, lol

I am thinking about SPS

[katymunoz]

Originally Posted by FoundNemo

Yep it is the joys of having zoa's, LOL!! I had a colony that grew from two polyps to about 80+ over two years then turned brown, melted, and grew back. What can you say...... Either you love 'em or you go SPS, lol

I am thinking about SPS

Well I am far from loving them lol. I just have a few colonies, but I find them to be the hardest to keep of all of my corals.... Which according to most resources, they are supposed to be one of the easiest.

I have a full mixed reef, probably 80% Lps, 10% softies and zoas, and 10% Sps, and the Sps are WWWAAAYYYy easier for me than the zoas!

I'd say out of all my corals zoas are the most finicky, followed very closely by chalices, and acans.

I think this is promoting me to start a new thread! Lol