xenia

[Roast]

So you guys might not want to hear this, but I actually want my Xenia to get better! I just started a tank about 2 weeks ago and the Xenia I first put in from my buddies tank was plump, pulsating, and exciting! Now, unfortunitly it is wilted, grabbing desperately, and boring.

I've tried adding suppliments like iodine without success. Should I try chaning the lighting now? Currently a 3g with a Kelvin 50/50 CF lamp.

If your familiar with the set up, it's a Picotope 3g Salt/Fresh tank for starters.

Saw Scuba Guy had success *though unwanted* in mulitiplying his Xenia. I'm just looking to get my tank a little life.

 

[scuba guy ron]

how many watts is that light?

 

[hookedonreef-er]

They like a good ammount of light and everytime i dosed a little bit of iodine they went crazy.

 

[Roast]

I appreciate the feedback! I don't know what watt it is, I can certainly check in the morning when I get off shift.

actually, here it is:

"Includes unique 9W Compact Fluorescent Clamp-on Lamp"

The tank it came from was a 45g with huge lighting to accommodate the tank life.

At this point, I would say it is starving for light. Huge source to Small Source. If I got a bigger light source, would my water heat up to the point where it's dangerous? Right now it hovers around 76-78 degrees.

 

[quadzmoto]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15666773#post15666773 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Roast
I appreciate the feedback! I don't know what watt it is, I can certainly check in the morning when I get off shift.

actually, here it is:

"Includes unique 9W Compact Fluorescent Clamp-on Lamp"

The tank it came from was a 45g with huge lighting to accommodate the tank life.

At this point, I would say it is starving for light. Huge source to Small Source. If I got a bigger light source, would my water heat up to the point where it's dangerous? Right now it hovers around 76-78 degrees.

It's been my experience that Xenia flourish under lots of light and lots of water flow. If you don't have high wattage lighting then move your frags closer to the top of the water to take advantage of the light that you do have and make sure that you have adequate water flow. Be careful adding iodine it is very easy to overdue it and crash the tank.

 

[Roast]

Okay! Thanks quadzmoto. I will see what I can do about getting it higher in the tank. I think it's pretty low to the tank bottom though. Re-arranging the life rock that he's on may be my only solution.

I am going to the store today. I'll look into something just a bit bigger or find some fiji to move him higher onto.

thanks guys!

Any ideas for the next addition of coral?

 

[dawaterboy]

Mine goes to were it want's!!! I had a frag mounted on rubble and it "walked" right up a 10lb piece of rock to the highest spot it could get. It's cool in my 46 softie tank but it won't be going into my upgrade!!

 

[scuba guy ron]

even though this is a 3gal tank I dont think this is enough light for this coral. Xenia greatly respond to lighting especially the type used ie. MH, HO, VHO etc.

I'm guessing that the light is regular HO lighting and not VHO which brings you to 3 watts per gallon of very weak lighting. Dr. Fosters website sells a mini aqualight with a 9w actinic and 9w 10,000k daylight which would bring you 18w for around $30.00.

* watts per gallon isnt really a good measurement but in this case I believe it would be an exception to the rule

 

[Felix T Cat]

Luckily the first head I got came with the advice "mount it high up in your tank, it will grow towards the light" I mounted it almost at the top of the rock work and sure enough, it spread and grew "up" but quickly ran out of room. I recently relocated it to the other side of the tank to hide my HOB fuge return. They looked awful for about 3 days and then adjusted and are now back to their growing craze.