Xenia before and after shots (one branch to small forest, image intense)

[fantastic4]

A few shots of my Xenia tank taken tonight, not the clearest shots, but wanted to share these.

This is a tank shot from 2006, the Xenia was mail ordered and is sitting near the very top (the two small brown tree things, center top). The Anthelia in the middle melted away after I adding an Anenome to the tank, however, the Xenia thrived. Found it interesting how in one case Anthelia failed and a few inches way, Xenia was spreading. Tried my best to salvage the Anthelia, but once it started to melt, it was a losing battle.

Voila, a few months later

The branches on some of these Xenia have surprised me on how long they can grow.

33 Gallon Oceanic Cube
Tsunami Wave Maker with 1 Maxi 1200
Remora Skimmer
Aquafuge with Chaeto
175W Sunpod

 

[J4Life]

That is definitely some serious take over by the Xenia. Thanks for sharing.

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

now all you have to do is cut off one or two branches and send them to me..LOL

nice take over...are you gonna frag it out now?

unfortunately i dont think the boarder guys take to kindly to live animals being transported..

 

[Reno Reef]

I want my xenia to spread that much. Ok maybe not THAT much... maybe 1/2 that much.

 

[cartoonbear]

time to start sellin frags

could make some money with growth like that

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

how do you get it out of the water to start cutting though...it must be on a couple rocks by now...

is it safe to cut xenia in the tanks water?

 

[digitaledge]

I have some pom poms I need to trim, Reducing light to one of my clams.

So is it safe to trim them at the bottom of the stem in the tank water?
I trimmed one and noticed a bunch of slimy stuff floating around

 

[fantastic4]

At first I placed small rocks next to it, then as the Xenia grew on and over the surrounding rocks, simply tore the rock away and the Xenia both mother colony and small rock did not seem to care. Now, I see small baby branches growing in the sand and just about all rock work. It seems that their are no toxic effects from the Xenia tears or cuts that I can notice -- fish or coral. My biggest problem is the Xenia forest when fully expanded will take out 75% of the light and my other corals don't like it. So my zoas are all now extending trunks to reach light. I'll let it grow out to my entire cube is taken over, I think it will be a very cool look.

Tips... I add iodine about once or twice a month. Iron about once. I'll mix in spirulina powder in the refugium about once a month as well, as I think the Xenia can take advantage of the nutrients? They say age of tank may contribute to Xenia prosperity -- i'm not certain this is true -- but the live rock is mainly from my aggressive tank and is aged 8 years. Although I'm not certain as a species rule, my Xenia seem to love intense lighting, brighter the better and random flow with high to medium water movement when wave maker kicks in. I also tend to over feed to keep "dirty" water and nitrates in the +, it's a trcky thing, but the Xenia seems to love it.