Jumping on the bandwagon here. Treated three zoa colonies tonight and one Rigid Balaonophyllia. All were dipped in a 50/50 solution of household hydrogen peroxide for five minutes. I was surprised at the foaming action of the peroxide and living things other than the coral immediately rose to the surface. I'll report in the morning on how these guys are looking.
I chose the zoas because they will probably succumb to damage by asterina starfish, although I am now trying to pick off the asterina each day to save what I can until my harlequin shrimp arrive.
Zoa 1: About 60 polyps. This colony is heavily damaged by asterina starfish and approximately 50% of the polyps are totally brown... so may already be beyond saving. While dipping in the peroxide 10-15 asterinas floated to the top even though I dipped with MediCoral 48 hours ago and picked asterinas off this morning. I assume these were new starfish. None of the polyps on this specimen have opened in over four days (04/08)
Zoa 2: About 60 polyps with a bare spot in the middle of the colony from (I believe) asterina. All polyps were opened when dipped in the peroxide. About half were still open after five minutes in the peroxide dip. About 10 bristleworms and 15 asternias floated to the surface during the dip.
Zoa 3: Approximately 50 polyps. No visible signs of damage, however, asternia were picked off the colony earlier today. All polyps were open when placed in the dip... about 50% open when removed from the dip. About 12 starfish and 6 bristleworms floated to the top during the dip.
Rigid Balaonophyllia: I've had this guy for 18 months. Over the past four months he has slowly been receding and now he is less than a third his original size. Live tissue has receded and only skeletal material remain in its place. Water conditions are within specs, although alk is a bit low. Used him to experiment in the hopes of stopping the tissue loss. He was dipped same as the others... no hitch hikers came to the surface, however the bubbling was very much more intense than with the zoas.
It's lights out now, so all the zoas are closed. The Rigid Balaonophyllia should be opening soon for feeding... I'm heading off to bed now, and will check on everything in the morning.
