Zoanthids are one of the most striking additions to any reef tank. Easy to care for and thrive under moderate lighting and flow, they provide stunning color contrast in any environment.
Planning your zoa garden can be done meticulously or improvised; either way, there are specific points worth considering when creating one.
Lighting
Zoanthid gardens make an exquisite addition to any reef aquarium, easy to care for and providing vibrant color. Plus, they can help keep the reef clean by clearing away residue from the tank and preventing an algae bloom from happening! Zoanthids are photosynthetic creatures, receiving most of their nourishment from sunlight but occasionally supplementing with zooplankton or phytoplankton food as needed – we suggest feeding at least once weekly and no more than twice monthly!
Zoas require moderate flow but don’t need extensive lighting to thrive. These aquatic plant life can be placed near the middle to bottom of your tank for best results; for more colorful varieties, it may be beneficial to rank them higher, although care must be taken not to put too many at once, or they could begin bleaching out over time.
Water quality testing should also be part of your routine for your zoanthid garden, including salinity, calcium and magnesium levels, ammonia levels, and nitrite phosphates; any changes above or below recommended values require adjustments accordingly.
Zoanthids should be introduced slowly and steadily over a few weeks when introducing new lighting or intensified current. Otherwise, their ability to adapt could be severely restricted if changed too rapidly or lighting intensities increased too abruptly. If either occurs too suddenly or intensely, the plants could close up altogether, prompting premature migration or tightening up overall.
When adding a zoanthid garden to your tank, begin by preparing the rock by taking steps such as unplugging it from its plug and immersing it for 30 seconds in tank water so the glue can set properly. Once everything has settled down, place the coral into your aquarium and enjoy watching its life grow!
Water Flow
Zoanthid gardens are one of the most beloved additions to a reef tank. Easy to care for and beautiful in all colors, zoanthids can co-exist happily alongside corals with no adverse side effects.
Hobbyists enjoy collecting as many strains of zoas as possible and arranging them into garden displays, whether simply mixing colors or becoming increasingly intricate as tensions grow and interweave.
As with any aquatic garden, there are a few key considerations when setting up a zoanthid garden: water flow. Different zoanthid species may require different amounts of water flow in your tank – check with the retailer to ensure yours are compatible before purchasing. The most commonly needed is moderate levels – enough to prevent waste accumulation without overpowering the soft tissue structures of zoanthids.
At the core of any successful zoanthid garden lies its placement. Being anemones, they prefer living near substrate; however, they require plenty of open space to allow zooxanthellae to grow freely. This means placing them away from any rocks too close by in an area where sunlight reaches them.
If you plan to rearrange the zoanthid garden or move some frags, eye protection, and gloves are recommended to reduce palytoxin aerosolization and exposure, especially if scrubbing rocks, boiling live rock, or framing zoanthids is involved.
If you need help placing your zoanthid garden, take some inspiration from photos on Pinterest or Instagram for placement inspiration. When you find the ideal layout, set them into place – select an easy surface that allows for future fragging or relocation!
Nutrient Levels
Zoanthid gardens can add vibrant hues in small spaces. Easy to care for and beautiful additions to most reef tanks, zoanthid gardens are also susceptible to certain factors that need to be carefully monitored – nutrient levels, water flow, and lighting levels as soon as you add multiple new zoanthids.
As with other corals, zoanthids must be fed regularly. A standard reef food should work fine; some varieties may benefit more from unique formulations. Monitoring nutrient levels to ensure your zoanthid garden meets all its needs is crucial to success.
Monitor any color change for your zoanthids, as this could indicate an imbalance in your aquarium or signs that they’re stressed out, making necessary changes to restore their vibrancy. If this happens to you, make necessary modifications so they look their best again.
Before beginning with any zoanthid garden, you must plan its color palette and growth rates before placing any frags. Doing this will help prevent aggression among different varieties and one from overtaking its neighbors; similar morphs should be combined for a seamless aesthetic.
Although zoanthids are generally easy to care for, they can still be sensitive to certain environmental factors. Some types may grow slowly, while others will double or triple in size within months based on your tank’s water parameters and lighting needs -; therefore, you must monitor their development to ensure they’re growing optimally.
Zoanthids should also be handled carefully because they contain Palytoxin toxins produced by certain species that act as paralyzing agents. Transfer may occur through their relationship with their host bacterium; no matter how it’s transferred, it’s wise to be wary when handling such corals.
Placement
Zoanthid gardens make an excellent addition to any reef aquarium, being easy to care for and providing plenty of color. However, all factors should be considered when designing one, such as lighting levels, water flow rates, nutrient levels, and placement.
When choosing your zoanthid colonies, looking for mature, healthy colonies with at least 12 polyps is wise. This guarantees you plenty of offspring from which to build your garden. Furthermore, select rocks that support their growth since zoanthids can become stressed if placed on rough rocks as this could cause them to close off further.
A diamond saw blade is ideal when working with zoanthids as it will provide clean cuts while inflicting minimal stress on them. PPE should also be worn when handling these marine creatures to prevent any spores from being released into your tank, and gloves and a mask may be beneficial as these creatures produce slime that could get into your eyes and lungs, leading to irritation or infection.
Once your zoanthids have settled into their aquarium, it is essential that you observe for any signs of stress, including lack of opening or picking at other organisms in the tank. The focus could be due to several reasons, including changes in water parameters or even pests such as the zoanthid-eating nudibranchs that might threaten their well-being.
When choosing where to place zoanthids in a tank, consideration must be given to the color and size of each coral. Group similar-sized corals together and leave space between them; this will help avoid competition between species while giving each one enough room to flourish. Also, be wary of the growth rate of each variety since some will grow faster than others and could overtake others within your garden.
