zoanthids

I am seeking general advice on zoanthids.  For example - the 'skirt' -is that basically the part around the center?  I have some zoas that are puffed up (like they want to burst) but are closed up.  I have some where only half colony wants to open.  I have some where zoas seem to be pointing up...and some where the outer skirt appears to be point/cascading down.  Generally speaking....I do not know what to do to get all zoas growing healthy...aside from steady water chemistry.  I've tried moving them up and moving them down and it seems to improve for about a day...then they go back to 'normal'.  Anyone can educate me on zoanthid basics?  My favia, chalice, and acans are all doing great.  One of my blastos I'm starting to see skeleton tissue it looks like.  I since placed him in low flow low light based on some research.  Fairly sure I have no 'pest' issues.  Thanks!
Going to test water again tonight when kids go to bed and I have more time.

 

most of my zoas and acans are on sand or about an inch off sand bed.  Par directly under light is about 100 fading off to about 60 on the bottom sides.  Tried to see recomended par readings for zoas and didn't find any.  I'm running LED's.  Par at top of tank is 580 if memory serves me right.  Also - zoas seem to be more willing to 'open up' at sunset when whites go out and blues stay on shortly before moon light turn on.  Not sure if I have whites too high??  They are running at 75% and blues are 100% in order to get the par readings noted above.

 

Here are my parameters:

Mag: 1480
Alk: 7dkh
Calc: 450
pH: 8.09
Salinity: 1.026

I need to get my alk up to 12.

 

mostly lps - zoas, acans, chalice, only 4 sps (mili and slimmers), leather, and trumpet.

 

I am currently experimenting with the LED power. Module hangs about 12" from tank.  They are dimmable and I control them through my apex. Right now sunrise is 0-75% over 2 hour time frame with royal blues coming on first and whites coming on 2 hours later. Midday is set at a constant 75% for about 8 hours. Then sunrise goes from 75-0% over a 2 hour period for both with moon lights coming on at the tail end. They seem to respond well in the am when the moon lights come on from overnight blackout period. I am having a hard time understanding their characteristics of when they are getting too much light or too little light. If they look 'grumpy' and don't want to come out to play - does that mean too bright or not enough light? If they look like they are melting away - does that have anything to do with lighting or more about chemistry? All are in about the same amount of flow - two MP10w es controlled by apex between pulse, reef crest, and lagoon throughout the day with the ocassional tidal swell and nutrient mode - max 80% power. 3x2x18" 60 gallon rimless tank.

 

Tank is 36x24x16. LED module is 12" from surface water. I did reduce the white led down to 40% and kept blues at 90%. The zoas had an improved appearance when I got home from work. I moved a couple around to experiment with placement at this light setting to see if that helps any.

 

corals are looking much better. Thanks for the lighting suggestions.