Keeping Zoas in check

I'm thinking about getting some Zoas, how do you keep them from spreading where you don't want them?

 

You really can't. I've had zoa's actually stretch up to 1" over open space just to move

 

That's why I tend not to keep zoas LOL. Kind of a PITA really. You can kill them with kalk past, like an aptaisia or sometimes pull them up like a big sheet and pull them off the rock. In a healthy tank, they are a borderline nuisance organism though IMHO.

 

Thanks, I'm glad I asked.

 

I always keep my zoas a bit secluded from the rest of the rockwork and corals. That way when they dont have enough room to grow anymore its easy enough to take the rock out and frag some heads off. Maybe you can make a couple bucks off of it or trade with another reefer.

 

Many people keep zoa "islands" or "gardens". Its a rock that's not attached to the rest of the rockwork just for zoas. As long as its atleast a few inches from other rocks I don't see how it could be an issue.

 

Or...if they spread to an area that you don't want them, scrape them off and glue them to some rubble and sell them as frags . Just make sure that they are something people would want to buy....

 

+1

I would just make sure that you are able to easily move whatever rock you place them on, so you can pull it out of the tank to frag them. When annoyed/ cut zoas release toxins and you don't want that floating around your tank.

 

Speaking of toxins, the toxin they contain is called paly toxin. It's the 2nd most toxic thing found in nature. It can easily kill a man if it entered the bloodstream. Be VERY careful and wear gloves when handling zoas or palys.

 

well zoas look best as islands or a zoa only nano tanks (15-17gallon cube) i have a zoa only tank and i love them. no other corals have varities like zoas. and just keep a bottle of vinegar at home and wash your hands with it everytime you handle any coral or LR and get bitten or u get a cut.