Maxima vs. Xenia

[Boat]

I've had a small maxima (2-1/2 in.) for a few months now. I initially set him on the substrate but would like to move him up on the LR now. He seems to be doing well where he's at, showing new growth. The location I'm eyeing (Maxima willing) is near a small Xenia. Knowing how Xenia grows am I asking for trouble?

Thanks in advance.

 

[holeinone1972]

I would not put it close to xenia, because of growth(overgrowth) factors. Someone on this board lost a clam becaue it was overgrown with green star polyps. His tank, looked better than my yard, with the green star polyps. I would try to keep some distance between them. Happy clamming. Rob

 

[cali_reef]

I second holeinone1972ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s opinion. I had a 2 inch Maxima in the middle of my xenia patch and it didnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t show any sign of growth in the last 9 months, while other clams in the tank shown growth rings. I think the Xenias are stealing all the plankton that come close. I just cleared all the xenia last month and I am waiting to see if the clam will do better. Make sure you get every xenia tissue off the rock if you plan to do that, I had to repeat the process three times as is was very difficult to remove\see everything once the xenia started to slim. I didnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t have a choice of moving the clam because it is firmly attached to that piece of rock.

 

[Boat]

Thanks guys. I got the Maxima to attach on a separate rock from the one the Xenia's on. You both hit on something that, as a beginner, was confusing me. Star polyps and Xenia are both defined as "low aggression" (Premium Aquatics). So even though they don't necessarily "sting" or produce terpenoids - you can't underestimate their ability to encrust or otherwise overgrow a clam, etc. The next year in my tank ought to be interesting - I think I made a classic beginner's mistake. Picked out non-aggressive easy to grow corals (Xenia, Button Polyps, Star Polyps, Encrust. Gorgonians) that are going to have quite a turf war as they grow.

 

[toptank]

The thing I do not like about Xenia is that if it ever crashes it will contaminate your water and it will kill your clams.

I know this to be true as a friend of mine did a NSW change and the next day the Xenia crashed and all his clams died within hours. (8)

Barry

 

[Boat]

Barry,

I thought this hobby was supposed to be RELAXING . . .

 

[toptank]

BOAT,

For the most part it is VERY RELAXING!

 

[apt220]

The thing I do not like about Xenia is that if it ever crashes it will contaminate your water and it will kill your clams.

I know this to be true as a friend of mine did a NSW change and the next day the Xenia crashed and all his clams died within hours. (8)

Barry

I'm glad you said that toptank because I was considering doing a water change with the water from scripps and I have a bunch of xenia in my tank. Very interesting...

 

[MFR]

I do 20% water changes with Scripps water. Both my xenia & clams go off when I do. It is simply incredible the satisfaction with seeing them so happy. No problems here.


MFR:rollface: