Zoa "color-up", how long in the shade?

[UnderCoverDork]

I was told to put some brown zoanthids i bought in a low light area to color-up. They were watermelon zoos that change into brown.
So i placed them in a cave on may SB. The zoas have been there for 3 weeks and they look great now..changed from brown to red w/ green skirts.
my question is, what should i do with them next? move them out in more light? keep them in low light? move them higher in the tank?

any advice would be great,

Tim K

[Scuba_Steve]

I would let them slowely adjust to more light. Id bring them out in the light, but at the very bottom, and slowely move up to where u want them. What kind of lights do you have?

[Henry Bowman]

I agree with Scuba_Steve. Move them out slow (over a few days) and leave them low in the tank. Dont do anyhting quickly. Moving them all at once to a lighted area will stress them and cause them to darken again.

I am also interested in what kind of lights you have?

[UnderCoverDork]

Over a 20g tall:

150w 10K MH (ran for 6.5 hrs a day)
1 x 65w blue antinics (ran for 12 hrs a day)

[UnderCoverDork]

Over a 20g tall:

150w 10K MH (ran for 6.5 hrs a day)
2 x 65w blue antinics (ran for 12 hrs a day)

[Scuba_Steve]

I can almost guarantee you stressed the color right out of them with that halide. I would do just as I described above, but probably leave it very close to the bottom. For future reference, when adding a new coral, if its possible, raise your halide up alot higher, then slowly bring it back down over about a weeks time. This only needs to be done if the coral is coming from a tank with weaker lights.

[UnderCoverDork]

Originally posted by Scuba_Steve
I can almost guarantee you stressed the color right out of them with that halide. I would do just as I described above, but probably leave it very close to the bottom. For future reference, when adding a new coral, if its possible, raise your halide up alot higher, then slowly bring it back down over about a weeks time. This only needs to be done if the coral is coming from a tank with weaker lights.

I bought this coral colony from a WAMAS (my local club) member at our symposium. The coral was brown when i put it in my tank.
I am aware that i should acclimate new coral to light. im just wondering how fast i should move it out of the dark. .looks like i am gong to bring it out verry slowy, as i suspected.

thanks RC

[Henry Bowman]

I've seen this "tag line" 1000's of times but it bears repeating.

Nothing good happens in a reef tank quickly.

Looks like you are on the right track. Just watch it closely after you have it out of the cave for signs of browning up again and adjust accordingly. I'll bet you end up with it where it gets decent light but not direct, kind of tucked back in partial shade.

Good Luck and keep us posted !

[drummereef]

Definitely agree with Scuba. Not enough acclimation to the light made the zoas brown up. Give them some time and all will be well.

[Scuba_Steve]

Sorry, didnt mean to doubt your reef knowledge

[UnderCoverDork]

Originally posted by Scuba_Steve
Sorry, didnt mean to doubt your reef knowledge

HAHA..thats OK, i just didnt want you to think i was "that" much of a noob.
Thanks for your help Scuba!


Hennry, thank you too...here are some picks of the progress so far. I have them in a good spot..i just hope it is enough light.

This is a picture i took about 3 weeks ago when i got them..you can see the zoa in the cave all brown




Here is a pic from about a week ago, they are pretty much the same now.




What do you guys think about the location? should i just leave them be?


thanks RC
Tim K

[Henry Bowman]

I'd leave them.... Nice looking tank.