Trimming Xenia?

[gveng]

I need to trim down my Xenia's and I was wondering if it was ok to do it in tank. Keep in mind, I'm not running carbon or anything.

Thanks!

 

[redbrick1]

I usually just dunk my scissors in the tank and snip right at the trunk. I don't know if that's a good diea, but they just grow back. I tried the x-acto knife technique, but that just seems to prolong the cutting....I don't like it.

 

[thegrun]

You can often grab a hold of them and pull (peel) them off the rock, foot and all. While the cutting technique will slow their spread, if you leave even a small section of the foot on your rocks they will grow back unless you cover the left over foot with kalk paste.

 

[gveng]

You can often grab a hold of them and pull (peel) them off the rock, foot and all. While the cutting technique will slow their spread, if you leave even a small section of the foot on your rocks they will grow back unless you cover the left over foot with kalk paste.

I don't mind them growing back, just want to trim them down for the time being. haha

 

[ReefPharmer]

you can also use your teeth to trim

 

[thegrun]

you can also use your teeth to trim

Great aftertaste also! Is there anything in the world that stinks worse than xenia?

 

[Chaotic Reefer4u]

Great aftertaste also! Is there anything in the world that stinks worse than xenia?

I would definitely say a dying anemone!

 

[J2T]

I just take a straight razor and trim them off every once in a while to keep them in check. They grow back but then its trim, rinse and repeat

 

[gveng]

you can also use your teeth to trim

why don't you come over and show me how. :beer:

 

[SUPERSTOCKRACER]

Wish i had that problem.

 

[Squidmotron]

I just trim them like shrubs. Part of the normal maintenance process. I like the size and spread in the tank right now and just try to maintain.

 

[gveng]

Wish i had that problem.

if you are anywhere near Los Angeles, Ca, I would be more then happy to give you a lot. haha

 

[NYCBOB]

i normally siphon it out without issue. just got to scrub the base while doing it.

 

[borderreef]

Get under them with something, a razor blade, screwdriver, your teeth, and peel the whole section off. Put the pieces on rock rubble using the toothpick and rubber band method. Once they attach to the rock, trade them with your fellow reefers or your lfs.

 

[psteeleb]

I pull them off as close to the base as posible. If you want to salvage the stalk then rubber band it to a rock.

If you don't want them to grow back in the area that was trimmed, I brush it with a hard plastic bristle brush (look for one in the paint removal seciotn of a hardware store). After the rock is clean I'll smear some kalc paste on the area to sanitise it and prevent any new xenia from growing from the residuals. The kalc paste will also help prevent the near by xenia from spreading (at least for a while)

 

[Eric45]

Enjoy it while you have it. I think over time the growth rate of xenia fades -- perhaps w/the lack of PO and/or Nitrate, i'm not sure. But I only have a couple of small stalks now and they grow very slowly.

 

[dave sullivan]

I use scissors and remember any pieces that are left in the tank will soon form other colony. Also, Xenia are good indicators telling you if your tank is in good condition or not. Keep harvesting and trade with your friends. Have a great day!

 

[Eric45]

I'm not convinced xenia correlate w/'good' tank condition. I've heard the stuff grows wild near waste pipes coming off inhabited coral islands.

 

[NYCBOB]

xenia grows better in dirty water. my xenia is barely hanging on.

 

[grcforce327]

I just weeded mine out this morning with a razorblade.