zoa question

[debbie]

Is there a magic trick to keeping zoas??
Are they like xenia, some people can keep them some cannot??
I have 2 zoas on plugs that I bought this past summer. They are currently in my tank with a pc 50/50 light at about 7 1/4 inches from the light source, maybe they need to be closer??
I have noticed that my copepods that buzz around the tank are always under the plugs do these guys eat the zoas or just bother them so they will not open up??
I have seen nothing else in the tank even when lights are out as I am always looking with a flashlight. Its not hard to see things in this tank as it is my pico 2.8 gal
The only other thing I could think of is my hermit crab whom is always picking stuff off the rocks etc but does not seem to be picking at the zoas unless I am wrong.
Any advice??

 

[freeborder_01]

if they wont open you could always try doing an iodine or fresh water dip?

 

[rotarymagic]

tank parameters?

 

[debbie]

The only issue that I was having is my salinity was up to 1.031...

But I have been brining it down the past few days slowly as I like it to be 1.024-1.025.
This morning they do look alot better and are open. So maybe the salt being so high they were not happy campers.

 

[flricordia]

I would suggest keeping salinity at 1.026. This is pretty much what a reef in nature is at.
Make sure they have good flow and copepods do not eat zoas. That is a misnomer.
The bugs will eat the dead tissue though and can in effect help to keep any healthy polyps from becoming diseased/infected.

 

[debbie]

Thanks Michael,
I will test the tank again but it was at 1.026 last night so I have finally got it where it should be then.
They are open and looking good at the moment but like I said they are nothing special at all. Not like what you have anyways.
That is good to know about copepods, I know they don't bother mushrooms etc but was not sure about the zoas so that is good they just keep things nice and clean.
Say did you get my email??

 

[spanko]

The pods and the crabs are just doing their jobs. Cleaning up around them. That will irritate them and keep them from opening from time to time.