Pin point Ph & zoo issues

danny zubot · #1 08-31-2006, 03:20 PM

I have two problems right now.

-The first is that my favorite blue zoos have 95% dissappeared! I don't know why because all of the other zoos in the tank are fine. I've ruled out predators because the colony sits right beside another type that are thriving, and I find it hard to believe that a predator would be picky about the color of zoo they would eat. Am I wrong?

-The other issue is with my Pin point PH monitor. PH read 8.42 on average about a week ago. Bought some calibration solution and tried to adjusted it, I got it as close as I could, then my PH read 7.98. Out of curiosilty I got a different kind of calibration solution from a friend and re-tested last night. It was way different and after getting it as close as I could my PH now read 7.67. I did the ol' lick test on the battery, lots of juice left.

Is my probe worn out? Its about 1.5 years old now. Also, I leave the probe in the sump and only turn on the monitor when needed.

Xtasia · #2 08-31-2006, 03:36 PM

" -The first is that my favorite blue zoos have 95% dissappeared! I don't know why because all of the other zoos in the tank are fine. I've ruled out predators because the colony sits right beside another type that are thriving, and I find it hard to believe that a predator would be picky about the color of zoo they would eat. Am I wrong?"

- they can be... I've noticed predators to prefer color as have another zoo owners. but I wouldn't blame it on that, yet.. not when there are other more likely reasons. Doesn't hurt to check for snails tho.
- Could be lighting. Some zoos prefer high light, some do better with lower light. Have you moved them recently?
- Any slime? Any soft zoos?
- Are they disappearing at random locations, all at once or from one side to the other?
-I'd recommend fragging 2 frags now if you can.. one you give to a friend after you've zoo dipped it... and one you put in another location... Leave the colony where it is and hope it survives.
- Are there any other corals touching it, LPS, leather?
- Are there any feather dusters, spaghetti or bristle arounds irritating them?
- Any aptasia or Mojano stinging them?

danny zubot · #3 08-31-2006, 04:02 PM

Hmmm, haven't noticed any slime. Whole polyps are just gone, there might be 10-12 of 100 left, and they aren't fraggable where I have them sitting. I did just get a new reflector recently that sheds more light on them, could that be it? They aren't any other corals close by to irritate them, but I noticed last night that brittle stars sometimes hang out on the various other zoo colonies. To brittle stars eat zoos?

Skimmerking · #4 08-31-2006, 04:30 PM

Danny you were saying that your Ph probe is 1.5 years old What I would do is get another probe. My self i use the hand held HANNA ones with the PH and the Temp they arre great and the probe lasts along time.

Joe Reefer · #5 08-31-2006, 05:55 PM

I would say get a new probe, when calibrating becomes difficult they are ussually shot. I lost my favorite blue zoos a while ago, very frustrating I feel your pain.

danny zubot · #6 08-31-2006, 06:06 PM

I will most likely order a new probe today. 50+ dollars ouch!

There are still a half dozen blue zoos left so hopefully they make a come back. I forgot to mension that after I re-arranged the tank I ended up with a smaller colony of blue zoos in a different area, they are gone too! I con't help but wonder if my PH issues had something to do with that? Time for a big water change I guess.