Zoas look stretched out

Scooter21 · Jan 31, 2023

I added a bunch of zoas about 2 weeks ago. They all look like they are stretching out a bunch. I've also got a grandis paly that was all way open but now looks kinda shriveled. Any guesses? Are my lights too dim?

HudsonReefer2.0 · Jan 31, 2023

What lights are u using?

anthonymckay · Jan 31, 2023

Those aren't WAY stretched, but the general rule of thumb is if they're stretching out and getting longer, they need more light.

Steven Garland · Jan 31, 2023

They are stretching for more light most likely,but they aren't strectching that bad.

vetteguy53081 · Jan 31, 2023

Scooter21 said:
I added a bunch of zoas about 2 weeks ago. They all look like they are stretching out a bunch. I've also got a grandis paly that was all way open but now looks kinda shriveled. Any guesses? Are my lights too dim?

They are slightly if even considered stretched but try adding 3% blue every other day twice and see if you see a difference as white intensity seems a little bright. Grandis looks like it may lacking flow and must be fed 3X a week.
Also add Iodide occasionally and a little iron and stronium. Assure Phosphates are not elevated

Scooter21 · Jan 31, 2023

I'm using nicrew 150 watt. I can only adjust in 5% increments. I have it set for max of 10% white and 35% blue. (I turned the white light up to take the picture)

I found this par sheet for this light on this forum

Scooter21 · Jan 31, 2023

Today the grandis paly has a different wierd shape. Crinkled like a potato chip

Lavey29 · Jan 31, 2023

I've got zoas with long stems, medium stems and basically no seems flat on the rocks. There are different sub species.

Scooter21 · Jan 31, 2023

Lavey29 said:
I've got zoas with long stems, medium stems and basically no seems flat on the rocks. There are different sub species.

Any idea on the grandis paly? It was open like a big disc and now it's making wierd shapes. I don't know if that's normal growth or something to be worried about. I'm new to all this.

Admittedly, I haven't been testing my water for alkalinity, calcium and magnesium or phosphates. I just ordered a salifert kit. I'm guessing my phosphates are higher than they have been because more algae has been popping up. Not a ton, but it was basically no algae

It's a 36 gallon tank with just a HOB filter. I religiously change 5 gallons per week

hambandit · Jan 31, 2023

how old is this tank?

Scooter21 · Jan 31, 2023

hambandit said:
how old is this tank?

I've had it 2 months, but i bought it used. The previous owner had it about 2 years

thecreativereef · Jan 31, 2023

Scooter21 said:
I added a bunch of zoas about 2 weeks ago. They all look like they are stretching out a bunch. I've also got a grandis paly that was all way open but now looks kinda shriveled. Any guesses? Are my lights too dim?

are they new to the tank? If they are

1. They need time to get use to your new lighting vs the previous lightning they are under.
2. They

Scooter21 said:
I added a bunch of zoas about 2 weeks ago. They all look like they are stretching out a bunch. I've also got a grandis paly that was all way open but now looks kinda shriveled. Any guesses? Are my lights too dim?

are they new to the tank? If they are

1. They need time to get use to your new lighting vs the previous lightning they are under.

2. They will need a bit more blue light(440,450,470 nm) since they sit almost close to sandbed.

3. Zoa’s don’t really like super high flow but again this depends on the type of zoas and how they were in their previous tank if they are new to your tank.

4. Most importantly, any coral needs at least 2 weeks to get use to the conditions when introduced. So it is worth leaving them for at least a week or more before doing any changes again. As along as the water conditions are good, nothing will happen to it.

5. Zoas normally don’t like anything on them or rubbing them. If you have clowns or any other fish trying to stay on it( Like a citrus clown goby’s who loves sitting on corals), host it, kind of a situation, they will do this and sometimes we mistakenly take this as they are reaching for light.

The best way to confirm that it is 100% light, is to spend some time looking at them just before your lights come on and just before the lights go off in the evening. Ideally if it the light, Zoas will do this early in the morning just before opening for the first light and also just before closing for the last light in the evening.

Hope this helps.

BirdFish5000 · Jan 31, 2023

Sometimes zoas just stretch. I have some Pandoras that are under 600, yes, 600 PAR and they still stretch.

vetteguy53081 · Jan 31, 2023

Scooter21 said:
Today the grandis paly has a different wierd shape. Crinkled like a potato chip

Not unusual for grandis. When was the last time you fed them? Mine get wavy patterned at times especially when hungry as you can see in pic

Scooter21 · Jan 31, 2023

thecreativereef said:
are they new to the tank? If they are

1. They need time to get use to your new lighting vs the previous lightning they are under.
2. They

are they new to the tank? If they are

1. They need time to get use to your new lighting vs the previous lightning they are under.

2. They will need a bit more blue light(440,450,470 nm) since they sit almost close to sandbed.

3. Zoa’s don’t really like super high flow but again this depends on the type of zoas and how they were in their previous tank if they are new to your tank.

4. Most importantly, any coral needs at least 2 weeks to get use to the conditions when introduced. So it is worth leaving them for at least a week or more before doing any changes again. As along as the water conditions are good, nothing will happen to it.

5. Zoas normally don’t like anything on them or rubbing them. If you have clowns or any other fish trying to stay on it( Like a citrus clown goby’s who loves sitting on corals), host it, kind of a situation, they will do this and sometimes we mistakenly take this as they are reaching for light.

The best way to confirm that it is 100% light, is to spend some time looking at them just before your lights come on and just before the lights go off in the evening. Ideally if it the light, Zoas will do this early in the morning just before opening for the first light and also just before closing for the last light in the evening.

Hope this helps.

I've had the bigger zoas for 1 week. I've had the tiny zoas and the grandis palys for 2 weeks

Scooter21 · Jan 31, 2023

vetteguy53081 said:
Not unusual for grandis. When was the last time you fed them? Mine get wavy patterned at times especially when hungry as you can see in pic

I didn't know I was supposed to feed them. I thought that was optional.

I've got some reef frenzy defrosting right now. I'll turn off the wave makers and squirter watery bits over them

BirdFish5000 · Jan 31, 2023

You don't have to feed them. I've never red mine.

vetteguy53081 · Jan 31, 2023

Scooter21 said:
I didn't know I was supposed to feed them. I thought that was optional.

I've got some reef frenzy defrosting right now. I'll turn off the wave makers and squirter watery bits over them

Ive had Grandis for 4+ years and they always perk up with feedings. While zoas and palys get their energy from their zooxanthellae generated by light, they have the ability to capture prey and most palys feed more readily. See this video as an example:

These are my cinnamon after a feeding

Phil Steel · Jan 31, 2023

I'd say dial up those your lights 5% as they are stretching for light - although not a lot.

I broadcast fee AB+ once weekly and my corals love it...reef snow and and reef roids to mix it up.