Whats wrong with my zoas?

[Flaxon-Waxon]

What livestock is in the tank now?

 

[MJSerik]

Any possibility of pox? I have other coral that's doing fantastic, it's only my one zoa frag. My other zoa rock is open and happy as can be.

 

[MJSerik]

2 Clarkiis
1 Bullet Goby

FYI, this is my first SW, so I definitely got over excited.

 

[bribo12]

No way a tank that young with that many fish already has 0 trates. What are you using to test? That alkalinity reading doesn't make sense either

 

[MJSerik]

I'm using Tetra Easy Strips, and those are the results I'm getting

 

[MJSerik]

I feel stupid. Just retested. However I am still worried about the white specks on the zoas.

 

[bribo12]

Nah don't feel stupid. Those test strips are pretty notorious for being inaccurate. I'd try and get your hands on the liquid tests, they usually wield better results. Your trates look to be about 20 which isn't unreasonable. I'd do a water change and see if that helps them open.

 

[MJSerik]

How big of a change? 10-15%?

 

[bribo12]

I'd try and do like 25-30% to really get the nitrates down. Hopefully that resets everything and the zoas perk back up.

 

[MJSerik]

Alright. Will change the water, I'll update whenever I'm done and everything settles

 

[bribo12]

Alright. Will change the water, I'll update whenever I'm done and everything settles

Good luck! Just remember everyone is a beginner and some point and I don't think anyone can say they have never messed up before. Everything is a learning process in this hobby.

 

[MJSerik]

Thanks a ton. Did a 25% ish water change, gonna test again in 10 minutes

 

[MJSerik]

Nothing changed, what's going on!?!