xenia death contribute to nitrate?

[billyboy1978]

I'm overloaded with xenias, was wondering if i put them in the sump to die with no light, will my nitrates increase? of course I'm gonna cut what i can off the rock, but i won't be able to get all of it. just didn't want to cause more problems. and how can i get the auto text on the bottom of my posts so i don't have to constantly type my tank info?

 

[zoafarm]

The short answer is yes it will probably effect your nitrates...if it dies. However, xenia is very resilient and may not die in the sump.

 

[75mixedreef]

Depends on how fast it dies and how much you remove. Any of it that dies will decay into nutrients but if you can absorb those nutrients or remove them through water changes then you may never notice them. Bits and pieces should have a minimal effect, the larger issue will probably be the fact that the xenia is no longer removing nutrients from the water column. I would recommend a nutrient export system to see if you can starve out the xenia. Combined with manual removal, that should prevent it from growing back after cutting it back a few times.

If you could set up a scrubber in your sump then you should be able to reduce the nitrates and slow the growth of the xenia. Two birds with one stone.

 

[AlSimmons]

I would just cut off what you can with some scissors and then use a wire brush to remove the rest. This can be done in a bucket or an ice chest full of salt water so that you don't loose the beneficial bacteria/micro fauna on/within the rock.

 

[vashawn]

As you cut siphon them out into a container and give em away.
why take a chance and throw em into your sump

 

[billyboy1978]

so....xenia actually thrive in nitrate rich environments? I'm on my fourth 20 gallon water change in two weeks to cut my nitrates down. i was lazy on the tank maintenance and misguided, but I'm really wanting to get serious about it. i was in the red for two water changes, at about 40 now. hoping my change today will drop me under 20-30. new skimmer coming. mainly wanted to put the xenia rock in the sump to seed the 15 lbs of rock i just added to the sump and kill of xenia and kill two birds with one stone. probably better to just put the rock from the sump into the main tank to seed it and deal with it being ugly for a month?

 

[billyboy1978]

As you cut siphon them out into a container and give em away.
why take a chance and throw em into your sump

nobody will take them locally. they all know its a weed. i can't give it away.

 

[mcgyvr]

Just throw them in the trash