Zoanthids - some getting smaller, some die off - suggestions?

smallreef · 08/23/2017, 08:55 PM

I started a Nuvo 20 several months back. Mixed Reef with soft corals, some SPS and some LPS.

I have around 20 different kinds of zoas all were doing great and growing quickly. Example had a 2 polyp Utter chaos within 6-8 weeks now 8 polyps.

Last couple weeks some colonies closed up, have had some die off, some have gotten smaller and some the heads are mis-shaped and look unhappy, unresponsive to touch etc.

I started using Kalk on July 1st, have never used it in 17+ years I've kept reefs, always used 2 part. I started very low dose and have been raising it slowly since July and sometimes supplementing 2 part during the week as well when I test. I am up to around 1 tsp per gallon in the ATO as of now, which loses around .25 DKH a day. There definitely have been ALk swings throughout the week since I started but usually slowly goes down during the week whereas 9.5DKH after a water change might be 8 a week later.

Other than that salinity 1.26, some carbon, ghost skimmer. I change around 5 gallons a week as its a newer tank, might go down to 3 or 4 gallons / week after tank reaches 6-8 months. I can't seem to figure out whats wrong, have kept reef tanks on and off for many years. 2 clownfish and a clown goby.

Any suggestions?

smallreef · 08/23/2017, 08:57 PM

also no pests, no amphipods in the tank, no nudi's, spiders, etc. Out of the 20 something colonies most are zoos, some are paly's. the issues are with both.

smallreef · 08/23/2017, 09:01 PM

lighting AI prime (not HD) 80% power on 20K. I started the tank at 60% and raised to 80% of last 3-4 months.

gprdypoo04 · 08/23/2017, 10:54 PM

Why so high?

smallreef · 08/23/2017, 11:38 PM

80% on 20K is 20 watts

08/23/2017, 08:55 PM	#1
smallreef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 534	Zoanthids - some getting smaller, some die off - suggestions? I started a Nuvo 20 several months back. Mixed Reef with soft corals, some SPS and some LPS. I have around 20 different kinds of zoas all were doing great and growing quickly. Example had a 2 polyp Utter chaos within 6-8 weeks now 8 polyps. Last couple weeks some colonies closed up, have had some die off, some have gotten smaller and some the heads are mis-shaped and look unhappy, unresponsive to touch etc. I started using Kalk on July 1st, have never used it in 17+ years I've kept reefs, always used 2 part. I started very low dose and have been raising it slowly since July and sometimes supplementing 2 part during the week as well when I test. I am up to around 1 tsp per gallon in the ATO as of now, which loses around .25 DKH a day. There definitely have been ALk swings throughout the week since I started but usually slowly goes down during the week whereas 9.5DKH after a water change might be 8 a week later. Other than that salinity 1.26, some carbon, ghost skimmer. I change around 5 gallons a week as its a newer tank, might go down to 3 or 4 gallons / week after tank reaches 6-8 months. I can't seem to figure out whats wrong, have kept reef tanks on and off for many years. 2 clownfish and a clown goby. Any suggestions?

08/23/2017, 08:57 PM	#2
smallreef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 534	also no pests, no amphipods in the tank, no nudi's, spiders, etc. Out of the 20 something colonies most are zoos, some are paly's. the issues are with both.

08/23/2017, 09:01 PM	#3
smallreef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 534	lighting AI prime (not HD) 80% power on 20K. I started the tank at 60% and raised to 80% of last 3-4 months.

08/23/2017, 10:54 PM	#4
gprdypoo04 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 389	Why so high?

08/23/2017, 11:38 PM	#5
smallreef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 534	80% on 20K is 20 watts