Zoa's are changing to a long stem

[SirToppemHat]

My Zoas and Palys have recently changed and now have a long "stem".

Recently i installed an acjr. which may have changed my lighting cycle slightly. I have my powerheads on OSC 20/10 whereas before they we constantly on. Also I installed a GFO/Carbon reactor as well.



I prefer the "shorter" stem look with Zoas, what can i do to get them back to this?

[cidermaster]

Sounds like not enough light

[theJiggyfly]

they are stretching for more light. its called trumpeting.

[650-IS350]

they are stretching for more light. its called trumpeting.

+1 on that.

[manhorsedog]

i really believe it has to deal with the flow many people will say light but in my tanks i have noticed them change more to flow than anything else. stronger flow tighter mat

[puckbs]

i'd have to agree with you, my zoas should not be starving for light 7" away from a 150w hqi....

[650-IS350]

I had 4 hydor #4's and a 2 MJ1200's before in my 100gal before. Imagine the flow in that tank. I still had polyps stretching that were near bottom, so I move them up slowly. When they started to un-stretching I stopped moving them up.

[manhorsedog]

i suppose it can be different for everybody and i sure the best answer would be a good combination of he two

[cidermaster]

i have a cap thats grown over the top of some superman zoas that are starting to stretch for light while the rest of the colony is perfect!! just the ones that are shaded a bit are stretching

[puckbs]

well then my vote would be they do it for numerous reasons :-)

[manhorsedog]

im curious as to if any of them stretch in the wild?