will xenia cross sand?

[mayjong]

hey all-
have some xenia isolated on a rock separated from other rocks by 3+ inches, will it self propagate or float away to infest the tank? (like Kenya will)

 

[Lostinthedark]

Yes. Yes they will. They tend to kneel over and attach across voids. I've also had them show up completely across the tank.

 

[silentscream]

Small stalks will break off and float around the tank and repopulate elsewhere

 

[3dees]

it will cross the street if you let it.

 

[mayjong]

dang.
alright, it is gone

 

[mayjong]

let's back up.
don't some people use xenia in a sump for nutrient export? wouldn't that be the same (their tanks would become infested?)

 

[Khemul]

let's back up.
don't some people use xenia in a sump for nutrient export? wouldn't that be the same (their tanks would become infested?)

If it breaks off and get's shredded in the return pump, possibly. Otherwise it shouldn't spread to the display.

 

[droth335]

let's back up.
don't some people use xenia in a sump for nutrient export? wouldn't that be the same (their tanks would become infested?)

We have had a xenia sump for about 9 months now and have not had any get into the display tank. Xenia is relatively easy to control to IME so I am not worried if some does make it there.

 

[RA]

Xenia will not cross over sand. If you have a rock within 3" it can reach out and attach to it, but it will not grow on the sand. A piece can break off and attach somewhere else in your tank, but it's easy to remove at that stage. Just don't let it grow un-checked for months and then say xenia is terrible.