AquaTDV
Member
Thank you
I think thats the Green Frogspawn. If that is under the colony of Pink Milli and purple Cap. Sorry these pictures really look very grainy.
Using xenia as a natural filtration method
- Thread starter Miglessa
- Start date
Thank you
I think thats the Green Frogspawn. If that is under the colony of Pink Milli and purple Cap. Sorry these pictures really look very grainy.
jakano
New member
Would the fact that his algae blooms become more intense with Xenia pruning be proof enough that it's an effective means for nutrient export? Did anything else get changed at the same time as you got rid of the Xenia? And did you happen to test the nitrates to see if they rose when the blooms happened? I have Xenia which I love but has of course started over growing it's place in my tank and this would be a great thing to start in my sump/fuge area as well. Much nicer than just having ugly chaeto down there.
AquaTDV
Member
Good questions...
I've been keeping Xenia for over a decade and seen the same results time and time again. Everytime I pull from it, algae almost immediately begins to appear, and when I feed heavily the Xenia multiplies at a faster rate. There is a nutrient equilibrium and the Xenia seems to fill that void when one can be filled. Because of the lack of macro growth, I can only assume the Xenia is in direct competion for the same nutriuents, and the Xenia usually wins. However there are a few types of macro that I've found will out compete it. That is Maidens Fan and Asparagopsis. I will allow these to accumulate in my display. After all, they are there for a purpose, and usually their growth is cyclical. I've tested my nitrates many times and its always the same undetectable reading. This could also be attributed to my Clam polulation like Gary said, and not the Xenia. Too many variables to test in my current system. But I did have a 135 before my 240 that I used Xenia to pay for my current Oceanic 240 tank/stand. That tank was truly infested with Xenia and I had the same results without the clams... I will post pics of the 135.
minireef30
New member
AquaTDV do you have any pictures of how this is plumbed into your system?
Very cool looking!
Very cool looking!
In this system I pulling out about 1/2 to 1 cup every month od silver xenia. I've never noticed any fluctuation in algae associated with it but percentage wise it's probably only a couple of percent of the total xenia population. The only supplement this system get is a 1/4 cup of argamight and occasionally some suberbuffer. Nitrates have never been detectable with API so less than 3-5 ppm. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFxUSRFRp24
mwmp5
New member
Direct me if I am in the wrong spot. I have stumbled on to a great filtration method., and after reading about the Xenia, maybe that is it.
I have a four year old 90 gallon. 4 to 5 inch sand bed, live rock throughout including all in the sump. 2 years ago I was frudtrated attempting the Skimmer, additives, testing, corals not really growing, problems with a clear slime building up. I stopped the Skimmer (cause after three could never get it to collect correctly), added the extra live rock in sump, use a algae sock, and the "spounge" that comes with the sump. I do have a small UV light (9watts) that a small pump runs the sump water through. That's it. I only use a drip method of Kalwasser to replinish my evaporated water. Only change 5 gallons maybe once a month. All tests are perfect, coral growing like crazy. (SPS, LPS0 and a good portion of Xenia, that I ofter "cut back" and return to LFS.
Is the Xenia helping filter? Its great for me. All I do is a water change once or so a month (5gallons) and mix Kalwasser every three or four days setting it up to drip in via a 5 gal bucket.
I have a four year old 90 gallon. 4 to 5 inch sand bed, live rock throughout including all in the sump. 2 years ago I was frudtrated attempting the Skimmer, additives, testing, corals not really growing, problems with a clear slime building up. I stopped the Skimmer (cause after three could never get it to collect correctly), added the extra live rock in sump, use a algae sock, and the "spounge" that comes with the sump. I do have a small UV light (9watts) that a small pump runs the sump water through. That's it. I only use a drip method of Kalwasser to replinish my evaporated water. Only change 5 gallons maybe once a month. All tests are perfect, coral growing like crazy. (SPS, LPS0 and a good portion of Xenia, that I ofter "cut back" and return to LFS.
Is the Xenia helping filter? Its great for me. All I do is a water change once or so a month (5gallons) and mix Kalwasser every three or four days setting it up to drip in via a 5 gal bucket.
AquaTDV
Member
I will try and find some pics... It is rather simple though. I have 3 independent adjustable drains on the back of the tank: 2 on either side and 1 in the middle. The middle and left drain flow into the sump with the Needle wheel skimmer. This water never touches a fuge. The drain on the right is designated to the Xenia fuge underneath, and with the adjustable stainer I can adjust the flow to the fuge whenever I need to. From the Xenia fuge it then flows to the Macro/Xenia frag fuge. I primarily use this fuge to grow out the 10 or so Xenia colonies I sell to the LFS, and grow whatever macro I can. Then from this chamber it then flows into the sump where the Needle wheel skimmer sits...Also this is where any other impurities can be removed that got past my Xenia and Macro. This is also the same chamber I run carbon and GFO in occasionally.
AquaTDV
Member
None that came from my fuge.... The way I have my sump configured my return pump is as far away from the Xenia as possible and there are several major obstacles for it to get through. 1st the Needle wheel skimmer then a beckett skimmer and after all of that it would need to go through a series of baffles. But I realize life always finds a way. It just hasnt found its way to my display yet....
AquaTDV
Member
From my experience Xenia filters must be intended not accidental. You cannot have a Xenia infested reef and call it a filter. That like having a hair algae infested reef and calling it an algae scrubber. You must first find a balance and that can be acheived with skimming. How I do it is I skim till I get virtually no algae growth on the glass. The glass will remain spotless for days or even weeks sometimes without scrubbing. Then add your Xenia.... Does it grow and pulse quickly. If it doesn't this is good, then dial back your skimmer abit. Wait a few days does it pulse now? If so you are on your way. Now leave the skimmer the same way and wait for the Xenia to begin to grow to fill the void. Do not dial back your skimmer anymore until the Xenia begins to look lethargic, or when you notice the Xenia perk up a day after a good feeding. This tactic has worked for me may times.... Of course this is all assuming you have enough light, and your system is able to support Xenia at some capacity....
AquaTDV
Member
Dude your tank is truly cool and unique... Is that the extent of your flow, or did your turn off the pumps for the video? If not we are all wasting a lot of money on pumps and power heads. Just aerate your sand bed and deal with the salt creep
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