Zoas spread on sand bed

surfingdude · 03/24/2017, 09:51 PM

My zoas I got 2 weeks ago are already spreading...I have had zoas for 2 months that aren't budging but look great..I mean this colony is taking off but on the sand bed...low flow area and actually low light. I have a couple other spreading on the rocks but very slow...couple new polyps here and their but this one on the bed is on steroids. Is it normal to spread on bed...thought it was rock only? One thing is for sure, they are happy on the bottom. I have the same colony that I split the rock and one is on the rock...one on the rock looks great but no spreading, and the one on the sand at the rate its spreading will be everywhere...pretty cool.

Reefer40b · 03/25/2017, 03:12 AM

Zoas will spread when you have a coarse substrate, if you have a fine substrate they wont. I have seen them attach to small shells n such on the sand bed also

Agostinone · 03/25/2017, 10:13 PM

Good for you, it's rewarding to find a spot where conditions are just right and the critters thrive. I tend to need to experiment a bit with each coral I add to find the right spot where flow, lighting, substrate... are to the corals liking and when I do they really take off.

A couple of successful experiences like yours and it makes all the hard work worth it.

billdogg · 03/26/2017, 08:32 AM

And so the invasion begins. If they gain a foothold on the rocks they will soon overrun everything. That's not a problem if that is the look you are going for. If it were me, I'd place small rocks all around them and as they spread, trade them to your LFS or local reefers. Easy "frags".

03/26/2017, 08:32 AM	#4
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	And so the invasion begins. If they gain a foothold on the rocks they will soon overrun everything. That's not a problem if that is the look you are going for. If it were me, I'd place small rocks all around them and as they spread, trade them to your LFS or local reefers. Easy "frags". __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

03/25/2017, 03:12 AM	#2
Reefer40b Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 248	Zoas will spread when you have a coarse substrate, if you have a fine substrate they wont. I have seen them attach to small shells n such on the sand bed also

03/25/2017, 10:13 PM	#3
Agostinone Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 70	Good for you, it's rewarding to find a spot where conditions are just right and the critters thrive. I tend to need to experiment a bit with each coral I add to find the right spot where flow, lighting, substrate... are to the corals liking and when I do they really take off. A couple of successful experiences like yours and it makes all the hard work worth it.