How Light Affects these Zoas

250G · 04/30/2008, 06:00 PM

Same small colony. This first picture is where this zoas gets more light.

This same zoa where is is getting much less light, on the side of the colony not getting direct light. These are being kept under 8T5's, 54W each.

STH53 · 04/30/2008, 06:04 PM

That's pretty amazing. Thanks for sharing.

Reefman79 · 04/30/2008, 07:03 PM

Nice to know thanks.

stoneroller · 04/30/2008, 07:10 PM

Thanks for sharing.

capture · 04/30/2008, 08:15 PM

couple questions for you 250G?

how do you consider them the same colony are they attached? hard to tell from the photos where they are in relation to each other.
are there any other factors that could make these look so different?
how far away are they from one another? could flow be a factor? could they be near another type of coral that doesn't get along with them? what about that green algae creeping up on them?

just trying to bring up relevant, thought-provoking conversation rather than "thanks." (no offense to anyone)

250G · 05/01/2008, 05:47 AM

Good questions.

They zoas are in fact attached and part of the same colony, on the same piece of liverock, in the same tank. The ones that get more light also get a little more direct but random flow. As they are on the other side of the rock, they are about 4" from one another.

The polyps that get more light are generally also smaller, where as the same polyps in less light are much more plump. No other corals to speak of in the area, and all other parameters being the same for both.

Quote:

Originally posted by capture
couple questions for you 250G?

how do you consider them the same colony are they attached? hard to tell from the photos where they are in relation to each other.
are there any other factors that could make these look so different?
how far away are they from one another? could flow be a factor? could they be near another type of coral that doesn't get along with them? what about that green algae creeping up on them?

just trying to bring up relevant, thought-provoking conversation rather than "thanks." (no offense to anyone)

hk855 · 05/01/2008, 04:19 PM

I have seen this happen too with my favorite strain of zoos. In my old 8g they were approx 15" bellow my 150w 14k phoenix, 2 polyps one facing up and the other forward, The top one tended be even less open than the ones above and look like a taco while the other was open all the way. Also only got 1 new polyp in about 3 months, but was my first real sw tank and not a great set up. All my other polyps were fine though and never closed up like that one did and had great coloration.

In the new tank a 40 reg, same light fixture and bulb but they were about 20" down and 18" to the side in the front corner. The top one opened up all the way and growth increased, from 3 to 8 full polyps in 3 months, much better set up and water conditions too though. Only thing is the coloration went way down. Now they are just 20" directly bellow the 150 on the sand for about a week and they have brightened back up a lot without the 'taco' effect. Finally found that perfect spot I hope.

04/30/2008, 06:00 PM	#1
250G Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,155	How Light Affects these Zoas Same small colony. This first picture is where this zoas gets more light. This same zoa where is is getting much less light, on the side of the colony not getting direct light. These are being kept under 8T5's, 54W each. __________________ May 2007 TOTM Current Tank Info: 90G SPS Starphire peninsula

04/30/2008, 07:03 PM	#3
Reefman79 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 1,661	Nice to know thanks. __________________ Learning something new everyday ! Current Tank Info: 210 Gal Mixed Reef

05/01/2008, 04:19 PM	#7
hk855 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 278	I have seen this happen too with my favorite strain of zoos. In my old 8g they were approx 15" bellow my 150w 14k phoenix, 2 polyps one facing up and the other forward, The top one tended be even less open than the ones above and look like a taco while the other was open all the way. Also only got 1 new polyp in about 3 months, but was my first real sw tank and not a great set up. All my other polyps were fine though and never closed up like that one did and had great coloration. In the new tank a 40 reg, same light fixture and bulb but they were about 20" down and 18" to the side in the front corner. The top one opened up all the way and growth increased, from 3 to 8 full polyps in 3 months, much better set up and water conditions too though. Only thing is the coloration went way down. Now they are just 20" directly bellow the 150 on the sand for about a week and they have brightened back up a lot without the 'taco' effect. Finally found that perfect spot I hope. __________________ For some dumb reason I tore down my tank. New goal, plan, build and conquer the ultimate sps nano. Current Tank Info: Taking a break, ultimate nano in planing

04/30/2008, 06:04 PM	#2
STH53 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 86	That's pretty amazing. Thanks for sharing.

04/30/2008, 07:10 PM	#4
stoneroller Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Buda TX Posts: 277	Thanks for sharing.

04/30/2008, 08:15 PM	#5
capture Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: CT Posts: 678	couple questions for you 250G? how do you consider them the same colony are they attached? hard to tell from the photos where they are in relation to each other. are there any other factors that could make these look so different? how far away are they from one another? could flow be a factor? could they be near another type of coral that doesn't get along with them? what about that green algae creeping up on them? just trying to bring up relevant, thought-provoking conversation rather than "thanks." (no offense to anyone)