zoas wont open?

[draend]

Hi, Just added my first Zoas on sunday, they were closed when i got them home from my lfs, were open an beautiful at store. since I put them in they have been in a closed? position, little purple balls? I have seen glimpse of them when the top opened a few times, was curious how long untill i need to just say they are done for?

 

[nycbob]

what is ur water parameters? dont give them too strong of a flow. they like lots of lights and low to medium flow.

 

[draend]

amo-0
ph-8.2
nitrite-0
nitrate-5ppm
sg-1.025
temp-76
2xmh 250w
medium flow, have him middle tank

 

[nycbob]

try placing him at the bottom 1st. perhaps its not used to such strong lighting. ur water seems fine.

 

[draend]

kk, just moved him down, is it normal for them to stay closed? I just wasnt sure if they were ok

 

[nycbob]

zoas r tough. normally u should see at least a few polyps open up after a few hours. the only thing i can think of is the strong light from ur mh.

 

[h2ocrazy]

They are quite sensitive to nitrates. That may be what is keeping them closed. I would try nitrates to zero. DOn't worrry though, I had that problem and mine were closed for almost a month before I could correct my nitrate problem and they sprung back afterwards. I have maybe 20 different types of zoanthids and I keep them a t different light levels and they still open, so its not the light.
Only problem I had with high lighting was one that was used to low light and I stuck up high. It bleached out a bit and is doing fine now, but did not stay closed.

 

[draend]

thanks, just mixed some more water, will be doing a change in the morning, anything else help to get rid of nitrates?