Xenia-dominated tanks.. Let's see em!

[lildraken]

xenia and alkalinity

xenia and alkalinity

IME, xenia are sensitive to alkalinity and do not do so well in a severely nutrient poor environment like a pristine SPS reef. [/B]

I am one of the few people that are xenia challenged. both my pom pom xenia and elongatas have perished. What alkalinity reading do ya'll have that are successful with xenias? thanks

 

[Eugene Ciccimaro]

I have had xenia grow from about a single branch to about 5 in 2 months and then had all branches shrink to nearly nothing. I had not stopped or started doing anything differently. The only thing that may have happened in my system is that the xenia started interacting more with other corals. All other corals in the system have continued to grow.
My alk. is about 8.3.
The xenia have not staterted growing again even though I have tried dosing with Iodine or iodide.

 

[doomicon]

New Addition w/ Lots of Xenia

New Addition w/ Lots of Xenia

Just purchased this zoa rock from a local reefer, has tons of xenia. This picture was taken when I added the rock. I'll get another and post since it has opened up and looks alot healthier now

I really love the short/stubby look of the Xenia. Previous owner was constantly cutting it back (took over his tank), and it would always grow back, producing this cool look.

 

[lildraken]

Eugene, I read at Garf that xenia colonies sometimes crash and to deter this, you must add different species of xenia. Mine were only housed with 2 umbrella mushroom corals and 3 florida richordeas. I wonder if the umbrella mushrooms did something to them.
Alas, I have one single polyp that has survived. it looks healthy

 

[lildraken]

doomicon- your zoorock with xenia-- that's hot

 

[JamesJR]

I used to have the same problem, where my xenia would sometimes crash. I had better luck with them as my tank matured, and before too long they covered most of the glass.
What I do now is give small frags to friends for their reefs. That way, if you kill off some of yours you can always go back and get more from your buddies tank. It worked for me.

 

[lildraken]

James, about how long do you mean when you say your tank has "matured"? good point, I wonder if anyone had succes with xenia in a new tank. Mine was less than a year old.

 

[Mariner]

My xenia went in pretty early. At about 3 months if I remember correctly. They've been doing well for over 3 years now.
Mariner

 

[GARFVolunteer]

In 1999 GARF recommended my tank be at least 9 months old before adding xenia. Things that I have found that seems to help xenia is temperature < 80 degrees, mild current and SeaChem's Reef Plus.

Here is the lovely and gracious Monica's xenia...

It is my favorite of all the xenia. It spreads quickly and is an awesome pulser in low current. The nicest thing about them is they stay small and are easy to propagate... I need to make a short video of them pulsing it is awesome.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[xtm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8495658#post8495658 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JamesJR
XTM, I am not trying to bash you. I just wanted to make you aware of this. You can dose Lugols with great results but I have known lots of people who have killed all their xenia using it. It is very strong stuff and not to be used lightly.

Hi James,

No problem at all I actually have stopped dosing Lugols a month ago and have noticed absolutely NO difference as far as Xenia growth. I think it thrives on something else.. like nutrients?

Anyhow, my "Xenia tank" is a 38G with one Blue Damsel. Very light bio-load.

 

[GARFVolunteer]

I took some more picture of Monica's xenia last night... This is the xenia that GARF calls the "Portland Pulser".

Thanks,

Scott

 

[fsn77]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8509019#post8509019 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lildraken
James, about how long do you mean when you say your tank has "matured"? good point, I wonder if anyone had succes with xenia in a new tank. Mine was less than a year old.

I put a small frag of Xenia in our tank only a couple of weeks after the initial cycle was completed. It has done very well, despite my efforts to keep it under control. I've since given in to it and now (7 months later) find myself taking in a stalk or two for credit pretty much every week.

 

[55semireef]

I love it when my xenia attaches to the back of the tank. It makes it look so much more natural. I have to frag my xenia once every two weeks. Not bad.

 

[clkwrk]

 

[55semireef]

Nice shot

 

[Cuby2k]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8501375#post8501375 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bradleyj
In a couple of months, my pom pom has gone from this to this.

Brad, I love your pompom and would love to buy a frag from you. I am in Murray often and could meet with you anywhere. PM me if interested.

 

[Lyscer]

Very Nice Brad Here are some pictures of mine:

and here it is now. The tank is 24" deep. I did a ruff measure on the pom pom tonight and I think it is safe to say that it is a 13" ball.

I have fragged it multiple times in the 8 months that I have had it

 

[rcole33856]

bump

 

[supertech3]

these are really nice looking xenia's, I hope mine will grow into something as nice

 

[clkwrk]

Don't worry once they get going they don't stop I have 150 heads easy between all my tanks and I can not GIVE this stuff away quick enough .

They love light and will almost always climb , the pic above shows them at the waterline and loving it .