aqua-ed Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 So I went on a brief Christmas break and a BTA died. The spurt of nutrients set the bryopsis wild. Most of my Zoo colonies are fairly small yet and they got covered in the algae to the point where they couldn't even be seen. I took them out, gently cleaned them the best I could and put them back. They look alright, but they won't open. I don't believe they are dead, they just looked like closed zoos. Can I assume they may open up soon? Is there anything else I should due to ensure their survival? I've changes the water and cleaned up the tank, so WQ is cool. I had to beg and plead to get these few zoo frags, they can't die now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pledosophy Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 It might take them time to adjust. Zoo's are pretty hardy. I'd just wait and see. If they were doing fine before I'm sure they will come back around for ya. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 When i've rec'd frags of zoas that had some briopsis mixed in, i used some tweezers and plucked the briopsis out, then covered where it was with superglue. I've done this with zoas that have had a wide range of different algaes growing in them. Afterwards just leave them be and let them get adjusted. They should be fine. Some of my zoas have been closed for over 6 months and still haven't died. In fact, a few of them have new baby polyps. Of course the new polyps don't open either, but at least i know its not dying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 Give them very strong current. This should help them to open. Not strong like 2 inches from a powerhead but good strong current. Like strong enough to blow the sand around almost. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanz Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 Just don't throw a long spine urchin in there to help clean. They do a great job of eating every single algae there is (If you don't feed them)...but they also have a taste for zoas...learned that the hard way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 Not only do they eat zoas, but monti caps, and encrusting corals! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aqua-ed Posted January 11, 2008 Author Share Posted January 11, 2008 Luckily, I don't have any urchins. Just algae. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffP Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 I've got a nice field of Bryopsis in my tank - I picked up a lettuce nudi from Rose City Aquarium a while back and it tore through it, and kept it nice and short. Then he got cut in pieces and the algae grew back. But the Nudi healed up and is back in action and making quick work of the bryopsis - and I know Joel just brought in some Nudis that might help out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aqua-ed Posted February 6, 2008 Author Share Posted February 6, 2008 Update! I cleaned all the algae off and let them sit under fairly strong current. They started making a comeback, new polyps grew up and started to open a little, then BAM! they closed back up and now they are melting. What happened? Did they open their eyes and decide it wasn't worth it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Do the polyps look to have small white bumps on them? Or did the flesh turn a tanish/yellowish color? This would suggest an infection that can be cured. Unfortunately zoas are known to have this problem occasionally. I've found the best way to save them is low flow and low light if they do not exhibit the above symptoms. Some people over at RC are having success treating with vitamin c. Nobody really knows why this occurs. I've gone thru it before and am usually able to save a few polyps. I would try fragging off a couple healthy polyps and then seperate them to opposite sides of the tank with low flow and med/low light. If you have a QT, even better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aqua-ed Posted February 6, 2008 Author Share Posted February 6, 2008 The polyps afflicted polyps aren't even distinguishable. They just turned to a gray slime, like any other dead thing in the tank. There are a few polyps that still look like polyps, so I will try moving them out of the light and flow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Another thing you can try is picking up some Furan-2 and dipping in that. I use 1 packet or 1 capsule to about 1 cup of RO water buffered and brought to temp for 7-10min. Then rinse and put back into the tank. Seems to work on a lot of bacterial infections. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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