Zoa placement for a rookie

crock921 · 05/05/2014, 08:13 PM

Hi,
I just got my first set of coral frags.

I am running a biocube 29 with stock lighting (10000k and actinic 36w).

I put the birdsnest (birds of paradise) top and center. It seems to be opening up well. There is the return pump right behind it, so it has high flow and light.

The bam bams and joker zoas are in the sand for now because I have read that you should start them in the sand bed and slowly move them up.

Question:

What is the recommended placement for the zoas?
Ive read low light and close to the bottom for jokers, but high light and closer to the top for bam bams. Looking for any verification or experience with these.

Thanks from a newb!

Mael · 05/05/2014, 09:15 PM

There are theories out there but in the end you have the right method, start em low and move them up gradually and see where they look happiest.

One of the theories is red, oranges and yellows like more light higher placement than blues and greens, but I cant say I have found this to be true, my fire n ice are extremely happy at the top with my SPS and it is red and blue. I would say, from my experience, blues like lower placement, my blue deaths, Caribbean blues and Tubbs Blues all like lower placement. Most of the other colors don't seem to care......we will see if that changes with the switchover from t5ho to led this week.

whosurcaddie · 05/05/2014, 11:42 PM

You can also tell if its not getting enough light if its extending its stalk. I have seen the smallest Zoas extend out quite a ways.

Basically If its polyp is close to the rock and fully open you know its happy.

reefcoco · 05/06/2014, 08:20 AM

In my experience with Z's and P's, zoas are placed in the mid-range or low level, as for paly's some can tolarate high level in the tank, you also need to consider the flow.

thegrun · 05/06/2014, 09:41 AM

Here is a good website listing many of the common corals in the trade with their light and flow requirements.
https://sites.google.com/a/asira.org/www2/caresheets

robotman · 05/06/2014, 04:43 PM

ive put zoas everywhere and theyre open and happy

crock921 · 05/06/2014, 09:20 PM

thanks! The bam bams seem to be very happy in the sand, so I will probably place them on a low rock. The jokers (purple and green) are only opening a few of the heads, so I will probably try them a little higher up. Im giving everything until the weekend to settle in.

AZBigJohn · 05/06/2014, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

Here is a good website listing many of the common corals in the trade with their light and flow requirements.
https://sites.google.com/a/asira.org/www2/caresheets

That might be the best reference I've seen in a while!

05/05/2014, 08:13 PM	#1
crock921 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 210	Zoa placement for a rookie Hi, I just got my first set of coral frags. I am running a biocube 29 with stock lighting (10000k and actinic 36w). I put the birdsnest (birds of paradise) top and center. It seems to be opening up well. There is the return pump right behind it, so it has high flow and light. The bam bams and joker zoas are in the sand for now because I have read that you should start them in the sand bed and slowly move them up. Question: What is the recommended placement for the zoas? Ive read low light and close to the bottom for jokers, but high light and closer to the top for bam bams. Looking for any verification or experience with these. Thanks from a newb! __________________ Biocube 29: WP10, Koralia 425, Tunze Nano ATO, MJ1200 Return, Reef Crystals

05/06/2014, 04:43 PM	#6
robotman Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 737	ive put zoas everywhere and theyre open and happy __________________ 55 gal reef 2 BO clowns 1 Hippo Tang 1 Foxface 1 Flame Angel 1 Pink Spotted Watchman Goby 1 Hi fin Goby 2 Benghai Cardinal 2 mated Mandarin Dragon net mostly softies and lps, some sps reefing since 5

05/06/2014, 09:20 PM	#7
crock921 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 210	thanks! The bam bams seem to be very happy in the sand, so I will probably place them on a low rock. The jokers (purple and green) are only opening a few of the heads, so I will probably try them a little higher up. Im giving everything until the weekend to settle in. __________________ Biocube 29: WP10, Koralia 425, Tunze Nano ATO, MJ1200 Return, Reef Crystals

05/05/2014, 09:15 PM	#2
Mael Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,351	There are theories out there but in the end you have the right method, start em low and move them up gradually and see where they look happiest. One of the theories is red, oranges and yellows like more light higher placement than blues and greens, but I cant say I have found this to be true, my fire n ice are extremely happy at the top with my SPS and it is red and blue. I would say, from my experience, blues like lower placement, my blue deaths, Caribbean blues and Tubbs Blues all like lower placement. Most of the other colors don't seem to care......we will see if that changes with the switchover from t5ho to led this week.

05/05/2014, 11:42 PM	#3
whosurcaddie Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,354	You can also tell if its not getting enough light if its extending its stalk. I have seen the smallest Zoas extend out quite a ways. Basically If its polyp is close to the rock and fully open you know its happy.

05/06/2014, 08:20 AM	#4
reefcoco Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 70	In my experience with Z's and P's, zoas are placed in the mid-range or low level, as for paly's some can tolarate high level in the tank, you also need to consider the flow.

05/06/2014, 09:41 AM	#5
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Here is a good website listing many of the common corals in the trade with their light and flow requirements. https://sites.google.com/a/asira.org/www2/caresheets