New to Zoas

thehopp · 02/09/2010, 12:14 AM

I'm new to the hobby and just recently started a 14g biocube. Here is my ultimate goal for this tank: lots of zoas and palys! I feel like you all, being zoa-philes could offer some tips, tools and inspiration.

Here are my questions:
1.) I would like to have 2 to 3 Bangaii Cardinals - any concerns?
2.) What is the best lighting to make the colors pop?
3.) Any recommendations on initial placement (i.e., I've heard just place them on the sand bed for a bit and then fix them to the rock-work - my concern is that the current in my tank is pretty substantial and smaller polyps get blown into crevices, etc.)?
4.) What do you use to get the little buggers to hold onto the rocks?
5.) Any "commonplace" reef inhabitants that I should keep an eye on (i.e., are there some shrimp, snails, inverts that like to feed or pick on zoas)?
6.) Any vendor recommendations? My LFS's zoa collection is pretty drab.

Words of wisdom are appreciated!

Thanks

zoodood · 02/09/2010, 12:21 AM

1- no concerns...very peaceful fish and low biological impact
2- You want sufficient wattage for growth as well, however, under actinics is where many zoas (and other corals) really look psychaedelic
3- placement goes back to wattage...many of my zoas and palys do well on sand bottom because of nutrients flowing along the bottom, however, for this to be completely effective you should have a strong enough light to compensate for distance because light decays exponentially

zoodood · 02/09/2010, 12:32 AM

4- cyanoacrylate based glue such as aileens jewelry glue and super glue (always get the thick stuff) work well...Easiest way to do this is take a rock out of water, then take the glue and apply to rock, carefully place the zoanthid or pally base to the small mound of glue and pour a few drops of saltwater on it(stiffens the glue a bit) and drop it in your tank or glue it to some other live rock
5- stay far away from nudibranches, certain starfish varieties, and sea urchins....if in doubt, research before buying whatever you plan on dropping in the tank
6- Check the forums for a club or group within your general area to see if you can find someone local willing to part with some frags

going back to #3- if you start to see lankiness from the polyp then it wants more light and you should probably move it up, and if you start to see fading of colors, then you should probably move it down

02/09/2010, 12:14 AM	#1
thehopp Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 8	New to Zoas I'm new to the hobby and just recently started a 14g biocube. Here is my ultimate goal for this tank: lots of zoas and palys! I feel like you all, being zoa-philes could offer some tips, tools and inspiration. Here are my questions: 1.) I would like to have 2 to 3 Bangaii Cardinals - any concerns? 2.) What is the best lighting to make the colors pop? 3.) Any recommendations on initial placement (i.e., I've heard just place them on the sand bed for a bit and then fix them to the rock-work - my concern is that the current in my tank is pretty substantial and smaller polyps get blown into crevices, etc.)? 4.) What do you use to get the little buggers to hold onto the rocks? 5.) Any "commonplace" reef inhabitants that I should keep an eye on (i.e., are there some shrimp, snails, inverts that like to feed or pick on zoas)? 6.) Any vendor recommendations? My LFS's zoa collection is pretty drab. Words of wisdom are appreciated! Thanks

02/09/2010, 12:21 AM	#2
zoodood Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: East Orlando [ucf area] Posts: 123	1- no concerns...very peaceful fish and low biological impact 2- You want sufficient wattage for growth as well, however, under actinics is where many zoas (and other corals) really look psychaedelic 3- placement goes back to wattage...many of my zoas and palys do well on sand bottom because of nutrients flowing along the bottom, however, for this to be completely effective you should have a strong enough light to compensate for distance because light decays exponentially

02/09/2010, 12:32 AM	#3
zoodood Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: East Orlando [ucf area] Posts: 123	4- cyanoacrylate based glue such as aileens jewelry glue and super glue (always get the thick stuff) work well...Easiest way to do this is take a rock out of water, then take the glue and apply to rock, carefully place the zoanthid or pally base to the small mound of glue and pour a few drops of saltwater on it(stiffens the glue a bit) and drop it in your tank or glue it to some other live rock 5- stay far away from nudibranches, certain starfish varieties, and sea urchins....if in doubt, research before buying whatever you plan on dropping in the tank 6- Check the forums for a club or group within your general area to see if you can find someone local willing to part with some frags going back to #3- if you start to see lankiness from the polyp then it wants more light and you should probably move it up, and if you start to see fading of colors, then you should probably move it down