zoanthid reproduction

[cocoa_pleco]

i read that some zoas will slowly cover the aquarium, and some fairly fast. could anyone give me a rough idea on the reproduction speed of orange zoas? and will they spread onto argonite? i havent paid much attention to the growth of mine since i bought them

[zackish]

Zooas will spread onto anywhere you put them. I am planning on proping my frag up against the back wall of my aquarium and attempt to have them grow up the wall.
About the growth...I have read numerous times that zooas really grow as fast as they feel.
Many people have got the same frag from the same patch and such and in one persons tank it grew slow and in another persons it grew like a weed. They had the same lighting and everything. There is really no way of saying how fast zooas grow really.

[cocoa_pleco]

hmm, well, anyways its good to know they will grow on my argonite. good info!

[Dave66]

If you keep NSW levels in your tank (and you should) zoos will grow like crazy.

Dave

[zackish]

NSW? Could someone fill me in on what that is please?

[Bill M.]

Natural Salt Water....:19:

[Dave66]

Zack,
Natural Sea Water levels: Calcium 380 to 430 ppm, alklinity 3.5 mg/l, Magnesium about 1270 ppm (depending on specific gravity), pH 8.1-8.2, SG 1.025-26, less than .05 phosphate, temps between 74 and 83.
There are more major ions and trace elements of course, but the above are the base needs.

Dave

[zackish]

I unerstand I understand.....
Is it ok if the temp. in our tank is around 82?
I am having a problem with the light I bought it is throwing off a little more heat than expected. I was trying to keep my tank at 79 but when I have the light on it goes up to just about 82 and then drops back to 79 at night.
Also, this is only with one 65 watt light on. I have a satellite dual fixture and I haven't been using the 65 watt actinic as it was broken and I just received the replacement. I am afraid this is going to throw the temp. up even more. I know I have the fans on my fixture but I can't use them that often as they are pretty loud and kind of annoying in a small dorm room.
I was planning on getting an all-glass top for my aquarium anyways but is this going to just keep the heat in and make it hotter or will it deflect the heat somewhat?

[Dave66]

If you can, move your lights up to about 8 inches. There are very quiet thermostat fans that turn on when the temp reaches a set range then off when its reached. They will help far more than the built ins.

Dave

[zackish]

If you can, move your lights up to about 8 inches. There are very quiet thermostat fans that turn on when the temp reaches a set range then off when its reached. They will help far more than the built ins.

Dave
Is this a DIY or a system I can buy?
Can you link me to something?

[Dave66]

http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/fans.html

Fourth down. Ice Cap is the brand I use.

http://www.icecapinc.com/

Dave

[zackish]

Grrr...more money.
What if I went with the regular cooling fan and just kept it on at all times? Are those really quiet? And is it possible to mount it on the side of the tank in between the light and surface of the water?
Before I go $60 I am going to work on another solution..thanks for the link though Dave.

[Rue]

A Nit-picking Moment Brought to You by Rue!:22:

Argonite is an inert gas often used to put out fires.

Aragonite is calcium carbonate, in our case used as SW tank substrate.

[Dave66]

Grrr...more money.
What if I went with the regular cooling fan and just kept it on at all times? Are those really quiet? And is it possible to mount it on the side of the tank in between the light and surface of the water?
Before I go $60 I am going to work on another solution..thanks for the link though Dave.

Zack,
Reason I suggested that brand is I know they are quiet, as there are two on the reef tank in my bedroom. I shopped around, and got them for a little over 30 bucks each. Was well worth it.

Dave

[CAF]

A Nit-picking Moment Brought to You by Rue!:22:

Argonite is an inert gas often used to put out fires.

Aragonite is calcium carbonate, in our case used as SW tank substrate.
..............ROFLMAO.....................

[cocoa_pleco]

hmm, thats good news dave, since i pretty much have NSW levels. thanks for the info!

[cocoa_pleco]

i actually looked at the small patch of zoas i have, and originally there were 4 of them. theres 12 now! and on the big patch theyve doubled

[Dave66]

CP,
They grow like mad when they are happy. Can cover your corals and whole tank if you let them. I cut off chunks, tie them to rocks, and give them to friends.

Dave

[cocoa_pleco]

i just went to the reef store and got some more zoas. they had some hairy orange and white ones, about 15 on a 1lb LR piece for $50, or a 3lbs LR piece with about 125 orange ones, same price, got the orange ones.

i really want a huge blanket of zoas, it would look cool! if under near perfect conditions, can you give me a very loose idea of how long it would take to reproduce to cover half of a 55g? not exact, like 1 month or 2 years

[Dave66]

In great conditions, you can expect up to two dozen new polyps a month. I have to trim my zoos every few weeks to keep them from climbing the glass.

Dave