Whats the best way to encourage growth?

[Drix]

Title says all really. I've been keeping zoa's for a while and they don't seem to be really prolific in my tank. I don't feed mine in any way (although I do feed the tank phyto and zoo plankton). I just let them chill out under a MH/Dual acintic setup. They seem happy, however I've had a single polyp survivor from a deceased frag kicking around for about a year now with no second polyp growth in sight. Whats the deal?

[SIR PATRICK]

Good flow, and a good water parameters are always good for growth. As you posted, sounds like your lighting is probly fine. Maybe you have some slow growers.

Pics would help, along with some additional info to give more recomendations.

[Conductive]

I suppose there could be a number of chemistry related causes and solutions, but I don't really pay attention to that stuff. I hate testing water. My tank is pretty low tech, 10 gallon w/ hob skimmer and ac filter running purigen, fairly regular wc's, pc lighting, medium bioload. I've found the best way to promote growth is to find what each particular type of zoa prefers in terms of light intensity and flow, and situate accordingy. Generally, the rock hugging short skirt type love higher flow and more light, while the long stem variety enjoy calmer currents. Hope this helps!

[Absolute Reef]

Sir Partick, so what would you consider as slow grower?

IMO, I think my AOG grows sooo slow compare to my other zoas.
PE seems to be my favorite when it comes to growing rate.

I guess water parameters play the major role here, beside that is how often you feed your zoas.

[Drix]

What do you feed? Like I said I add Phytofeast and kent zooplex either every day or every other. Depends on my mood. Should I be feeding something different?

[salmonslayer]

I have good luck with food,light and flow. They seem to do there own thing. Best of luck.

[Timanator]

Keep the water dirty and use as undersized of a skimmer as you can get your hands on.

:)

[411]

i use grind up sea food mix. when i feed my fish, they all benefit from it. i also feed home made plankton and a can of zooplankton. my zoa seem to be popping out head every week.

[mhaith]

Vitamin C has made a huge difference for me on growth rate. See Zoanthid thread.

[Drix]

I've been using vitamin c for a few days now, I've seen no benefit to my tank.

[mhaith]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14383475#post14383475 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Drix
I've been using vitamin c for a few days now, I've seen no benefit to my tank.

A few days and you haven't seen a benefit to your tank? What were your expectations for doing something, anything, for a few days?

[Drix]

I read a few posts that said people saw color benefits after a few days, I find them to be exadgerating.

[Timanator]

I see no color changes from VC. But not 100% sold yet on zoa health with VC.

[mhaith]

oops, I thought the question was about growth. I have seen no increase in color, just a corresponding and anecdotal increase in zoanthid growth.

[Pufferpunk]

I have zoa colonies growing where there was nothing at all, since dosing VC.

[geoxman]

very stable parameters and good...high lighting. IMHO
good luck

[kingnai]

How long before you noticed?

Any before and after pics?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14381210#post14381210 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mhaith
Vitamin C has made a huge difference for me on growth rate. See Zoanthid thread.

[kingnai]

You seem to be the VC Guru... do you have pictures of your success?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14398557#post14398557 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pufferpunk
I have zoa colonies growing where there was nothing at all, since dosing VC.

[mhaith]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14404133#post14404133 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kingnai
How long before you noticed?

Any before and after pics?

Nope, just a FTS.

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll87/mhaith/1yrFTS.jpg

Took a couple weeks to start to see a difference but my notoriusly slow-growing PPE went from 6 to 14 polyps in that time. Whether it was the VC or a coincidental growth spurt or something else I dunno.

Even after a yr. of Carbon dosing and super aggressive export, VC (1/4 tsp) is the only thing that keeps the glass clean and increases skimmate. Trying to figure out the mechanism...........

[Timanator]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14404831#post14404831 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mhaith
VC (1/4 tsp) is the only thing that keeps the glass clean [/B]


Now thats a new one?

[awilson500]

detris is a enemy of zoo's. If it is stationed in a dead spot (where there is not enough flow) it will get backed up.... This happened to one of my frags.

what I did to fix it was I put right next to the power head, not right in direct current but right off to the side of it...It took a week or two but it eventually started looking better it opened up more and started gowning more.

Now the frag of 4 polyps is like 60 polyps 1 year later

[mhaith]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14404876#post14404876 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Timanator
Now thats a new one?

What's your question?

[Pufferpunk]

Not really--a lot of folks say they seem to clean the glass less with VC. I dose in one tank just for nitrate control, although the softies in there are really very healthy with the dosing.

Here's a few shots from last year, after dosing for about a year:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/Pufferpunk/90gReef/FTS.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/Pufferpunk/90gReef/GSPARpics/CenterLeft.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/Pufferpunk/90gReef/GSPARpics/Center.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/Pufferpunk/90gReef/GSPARpics/scene05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/Pufferpunk/90gReef/GSPARpics/scene03-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/Pufferpunk/90gReef/GSPARpics/scene04-1.jpg

[kev apsley]

good indirect flow and intense lighitng, plus dirtier water

[kev apsley]

good indirect flow and intense lighitng, plus dirtier water