Reefact or Reefiction #1

[Sherita]

We're gonna give a new format of discussion a test run :) Every week or so, I will post up a topic for discussion (suggestions are welcomed, drop me a PM!). Everyone who is interested, or has experience, please chime in. This is intended to be a discussion, so dissenting opinions are welcome. As are helpful suggestions if they pertain to the topic.

This weeks topic:

Zoas and palys are good starter corals for beginning reefers.

http://coralbeauty.us/zoas/unknown/unknown.jpg

True, or false? Let's hear your opinion!

(don't forget to PM me your discussion ideas, anything reefing related is fair game)

[jrsatx20]

true.

a peroxide and salt water bath didnt kill them off

[Sherita]

Ruben, some of us use peroxide dips to kill algae on frag plugs, so it's not surprising that it didn't kill them.

My own personal experience........I've found some varieties much more difficult than others. Hawaiian PE morph zoas have a reputation for being very finicky, and the flip side of the coin for me is Fairy Dust palys, they are like cockroaches, impossible to get rid of.

C'mon folks, I know we have a lot of zoa keepers in MAAST, jump on in, the water's fine!

[Fracture]

Zoas have always been hard for me for some reason. I have had them under every type of light and flow it seems and mine only stay the same as when I get them or close up for a while and come back even less than before so for me they where not a good beginner for me lol. I have better luck with lps an sps lol

[Flyride95]

For a beginner I think they are great. Personally my zoas made it very well with my old t5 bulbs. But they have slowed down a bit when it comes to growing more heads when I switched to my new LEDs.

[allan]

I really dug the zoas, most of them are beginner intermediate. There are a few that I struggle with, and it may be due to trying to keep a mixed reef. Got to strike a balance, which isn't good for the more involved varieties of either softies or sps.

Texas trash and fairy dust palys are the most easiest of the 'beginner' zoas IMO. I've had issues with some of the higher end palys and zoas, they close and just fade away.


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[BBQHILLBILLY]

zoas are totally awesome. An artistic paradise with all combinations of color. Ive had them under T5s, MHs, and LEDs and have had success.
Good starter corals for beginners and for all? yes Make sure the zoas are established and not fresh frags which need a little more tlc.
Establish them in a specific location wheres theres light and food, and not being moved, you will soon have colonies of great color.:bigsmile:

[electricrcplane]

I've found it really depends on the zoa for me, red hornets take a long time to grow and are finicky and don't like very much light, on the other hand as Sherita pointed out fairy dust palys are like the cockroaches. I've had really good success with most of my zoas but some like a lot of light and some not much at all it's figuring out lighting parameters that matters and flow for most zoas/palys and also feeding. Also mind blowing palys are pretty easy to grow and like a lot of light and current.

[Sherita]

I've also found that it depends on the zoa. Some, like Purple Death, Maryjane, Armor of God......grow like weeds for me. Others, mainly high enders like Seduction, Extasy, Yellow Mamba, are problematic (to say the least). It seems the extreme high end zoas are that way for a reason, they are cranky, picky, snotty and delicate. Unfortunately, their draw is too strong for me to stay away........so I just keep on trying, and learning.

[Scutterborn]

I usually do well with zoas. I'm a beginner. I just gotta make sure they don't get lost, fall into crevice or behind a rock. Until they've grown onto their surroundings, anyway.


-Ben-

[Southern Flame]

My fairy dust isn't doing much :(

[Scutterborn]

My fairy dust isn't doing much :(

Many would consider that a blessing, tiphanie! ;)


-Ben-

[Flyride95]

Many would consider that a blessing, tiphanie! ;)


-Ben-

lmao

[Paul28]

Many would consider that a blessing, tiphanie! ;)


-Ben-

hahaha o yeh i cant kill mine off but i got it to only stay on the overflow so i dont mess with it anymore

[Sherita]

Beware the fairy dust on the overflow. Mine almost caused a flood today when they blocked the teeth in the overflow. I probably have 2000 heads of them (no, that is NOT an exaggeration). Unreal.

Don't forget to send me your discussion ideas......it can be anything reef related, corals, equipment, dosing, etc.

[Fracture]

I have 4 and no babies yet

[Paul28]

Beware the fairy dust on the overflow. Mine almost caused a flood today when they blocked the teeth in the overflow. I probably have 2000 heads of them (no, that is NOT an exaggeration). Unreal.

Don't forget to send me your discussion ideas......it can be anything reef related, corals, equipment, dosing, etc.

thats so true thats why i toothpick the overflow area every waterchange

[Tristan23]

True for most cases from my experiences. I tend to move them so much they tend to stress and melt away. So I leave them where they like their flow and light and leaving my hands away from the tank. Other than that that are easy to keep.

[ramsey]

I personally think that smaller zoas (zoanthus sp.) are not good beginner corals. I think some varieties are more finicky than others , like what's been mentioned, but overall I think you'd be better off with larger varieties (zoanthus gigantus or palythoa). That has been my experience anyway.

[allan]

Not only for zoas, but I found the best way to ensure you keep that new addition happy is to put them on a frag rack until they start growing.

I used to place them immediately, then have to move them, then again to find out what they like. But you put them on a rack you can adjust the rack without touching the coral. I leave mine on the rack for weeks until I've got an idea of what and where they like to be. Then I place and glue.


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[allan]

And Ramsey has a point IME, the small ones seem harder to keep. Not all of them, and they have to be very bright. No one uses a magnifying glass when they look into my tank, so the little ones aren't a prize IMO. And they tend to be finicky.

Of course I received some very hot red litmus the other day that do stand out.


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[Southern Flame]

Many would consider that a blessing, tiphanie! ;)


-Ben-
Ik but I like mine it looks so pretty under my new bulbs I actually think my blue velvet is eating them

[Sherita]

Ik but I like mine it looks so pretty under my new bulbs I actually think my blue velvet is eating them

Blue velvet what? Nudi? Angel?

[Southern Flame]

Blue velvet damsel

[Sherita]

Blue velvet damsel

I wouldn't be surprised. If its after the fairy dust, it will soon be after your other zoas. You might want to think about getting it out of the tank. I had a jewel damsel that ate about $300 in high end zoas before I got it out of the tank.

[Southern Flame]

Dang he is really pretty to :(p

[allan]

A lot of the really pretty fish are not cool with coral.


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[Sherita]

What Allan said is all too true. And once a fish gets a taste for zoas, they don't stop. I just recently removed a lawnmower blenny who was taking chunks out of stuff. I'm beginning to believe that there is no such fish that is totally reef safe no matter what.

[Southern Flame]

Yes I believe that
but on a good note once I removed the domino damsels he stopped messing with them

[cowboy572]

Speaking of not cool. Sherita, what kind of glue or adhesive are you using to combat your theiving urchin? I lost two zoa colonies cause of mine, but he got rid of my hair algae. I have had hit and miss experiences with zoas and palys.

[Sherita]

Speaking of not cool. Sherita, what kind of glue or adhesive are you using to combat your theiving urchin? I lost two zoa colonies cause of mine, but he got rid of my hair algae. I have had hit and miss experiences with zoas and palys.

I feel your pain, I really do. Urchins can pick up and haul off some amazing things. I use a glue "sandwich" to combat mine. You need superglue and reef epoxy. Mix up a ball of epoxy, put some superglue on the bottom of the frag/coral, mash the epoxy onto the glue, then make a finger impression in the bottom of the epoxy and put more superglue there. Place the coral where you want it, mash down and give a 1/4 twist. Hold until the glue sets. It's pretty rare for even my big halloween urchin to manage to pry corals off when mounted with the glue sandwich.

Now if I could just figure out how to stop them from stealing my algae clips and throwing them behind the rocks............

[hobogato]

Now if I could just figure out how to stop them from stealing my algae clips and throwing them behind the rocks............

tether them to the canopy of the tank with a piece of fishing line.

[Sherita]

tether them to the canopy of the tank with a piece of fishing line.

I wish I could. This tank has an ultra tight fitting screen top due to the 8 wrasses that live in the tank. Not to mention the three suicidal zebra bar gobies (they think they can fly). I'm about to the point of gluing the thing to the glass somewhere. I own at least 6 algae clips, I can only find one right now (and the urchin has it).

As much as I fuss about the thievery, the urchins provide me with endless amusement. Their wardrobe changes daily, some are pretty high class, others, not so much. But I do adore them. Otherwise, why would I own 5 of the little thieves?

[hobogato]

you might be able to poke the fishing line thru the screen, or attach it to the underside of the screen railing somehow?

[Sherita]

I will see if its possible to glue it to the bottom of the rail.

The never steal my corals, just all my other stuff.

[Sherita]

And this is what happens when I take the algae clip away. Sigh.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/20/dehava8y.jpg

Incorrigible.

[Paul28]

HAHA

[350gt]

Sherita I bought this

http://www.marinedepot.com/Two_Little_Fishies_Veggie_Mag_Feeding_Clip_Magnet_ Fish_Food_Clips_Feeding_Stations-Two_Little_Fishies-TL50720-FIFDFECF-vi.html


From Louis at ER..... It's awesome and no more dipping your hands to fetch a clip...


it fell apart on me from the inside part(cheap adhesive) and its a common problem but still the best clip on the market.... I fixed it with some better glue and its been working great...... A must buy IMO!

[profntbtr]

best advice i can give is to stupor glue the algae clip to the back of a floating magnet. it makes refilling easier too.

edit: neglected to check the link, although the commercially produced magnetic clip doesn't float.