xenia

[doconnell]

OK, I'm really struggling with my xenia. One day they are doing great and the next it is mostly dead. everything else in my tank is growing but them.

I did just add some dKh on Monday as a maintenance. should I not add it every week? I add one teaspoon a week.

Could that be it or could it be too much lighting? I have all of my lighting on a time except for one and forgot to shut it off. would that kills the xenia?

Please help the Xenia!!!!!

Danette

 

[raynist]

Xenia are very sensitive and are sort of like the canary in the mine. If they are having problems there is an issue in your tank.

They are sensitive to kh swings. Are you just adding alkalinity without testing?

--Ray.

 

[Mitsuko]

Ive had Xenia twice already. Each time they will thrive for a few months then melt. Everything else in the tank is healthy. From what I've read they just do that sometimes.

 

[doconnell]

Yes Ray, I was told to add it once a week for maintenance. do you think that is what the problem is vs. too much lighting?

 

[raynist]

Yes Ray, I was told to add it once a week for maintenance. do you think that is what the problem is vs. too much lighting?

You do not have too much lighting, I have higher lighting on mine and it is fine. You should not be adding alk if you are not testing for it. Strip tests don't count!

 

[doconnell]

What test kit should I use to make sure this doesn't keep happening? last time it was to low now it is too high.

Would a water change help? I just did one on Monday but I could do another if it would help.

 

[raynist]

I don't think you should really need to dose alk at this point. Your coral load is pretty small and I am not sure if you even have any corals that would use alk. Water changes is really all you should need. If you do 10% a week you should be fine.

I really like salifert kits, but you could buy an Aquarium Pharm kit for $5 at elmers, that is accurate enough. You can keep your alk anywhere from 7 up to 12 really. Consistency is more important than the exact number, you don't want big swings either way. I keep my tanks around 8 as I think that is what natural sea water is.

 

[glh156]

My .002$ - I breed these for the local Reef shops and if you dose with some sort of product with Iodine in it, might be helpful...

 

[doconnell]

Ray, would a water change help at this point?

 

[doconnell]

What kind of product do you suggest? the xenia's are my favorite but I have the most trouble with. I have 17 different kinds of coral and nothing gives me trouble like the xenia's. Last time the pH was low and they started to dye, then I added it and they bounced back. now they are dying again.

 

[raynist]

What kind of product do you suggest? the xenia's are my favorite but I have the most trouble with. I have 17 different kinds of coral and nothing gives me trouble like the xenia's. Last time the pH was low and they started to dye, then I added it and they bounced back. now they are dying again.

I think you need to get the Alk test kit and see what it tests at. What salt mix do you use?

Are you dosing once a week for Alkalinity or PH?

I would stop dosing everything until you get a test kit. A water change would certainly be good. Like I said, xenia are very finicky. Every time I have had them die off I have been able to attibute it to a swing in alkalinity.

You could even bring a water sample over to me to test.

Do you have any corals that have a stony skeleton like Frogspawn (i think you did get one of these from me). These types of corals will use up calcium and alk, but if you only have frags they should not be taking up any more than a water change can handle.

If you have PH problems, it may be a result of not having enough turbulence at the water surface or higher C02 levels in your home.

 

[doconnell]

I do have several stony coral and they all are doing great.

Could I bring you a water sample tonight by any chance or can I buy the test kit somewhere. I looked at wetPets but they didn't have much in testing other than the strips.

 

[raynist]

I do have several stony coral and they all are doing great.

Could I bring you a water sample tonight by any chance or can I buy the test kit somewhere. I looked at wetPets but they didn't have much in testing other than the strips.

I should be around tonight and tomorrow morning if you want to stop by.

I know Elmer's has the kits and so does Aquaworld.

Petco may have the dKH (alkalinity tests)

 

[doconnell]

I have a meeting in the morning so it would have to be this evening. If not. I was going to do a water change this evening to see if it would help.

Petco doesn't have it either as I check there and the two places in Bridgville. I will get one from Elmers when we are out there.

 

[doconnell]

I'm starting to dislike this hobby. What a challenge this can be. I woke up this morning to my tubular coral half dead and notice twice as much dark pick algae that the crabs or snails won't eat. hmmmmm

 

[acer]

YES- very challenging, not for everyone, but he rewards are awesome, Remember your tank is a baby tank ( less than a year old) and you are a beginner. WE all have gotten frustrated enough to be ready to "give up" . I have too much Xenia- and too much atipshia, and too much mushrooms, and too much Mojo's in one tank. Go figure- the stuff I don't want to grow does, and the stuff I want to grow does NOT. But, have had hours of fun, the sense of accomplishment is great, learning new stuff all the time is good for you in general, etc.

OH ya, anybody want any free xenia, mushrooms, mojo or atips are welcome to them. I am breaking down the office tank as I will be moving my office in 2010 - thank you Mr. President and the democratic congress for the wonderful healthcare bill.

 

[raynist]

Danette, I will be home until 3 today, bring over a water sample aftern your meeting

can you post a picture of you tank/algae problem?

 

[doconnell]

Don't worry, I would never give up that easily. It is challenging but a wonderful hobby.


I would be more than happy to take some of your coral off of your hands once I get this under control. funny, the coral I got from you are all doing well. It is the real soft coral I'm having issues with. LOL Go figure.

 

[HUNTINREDNECK]

Xenia is real sensitive to water flow to much and too little will make it melt or die

 

[doconnell]

I haven't change the water flow or moved them within the tank. those Xenia have always been the tough one in the crowd. They are so beautiful but so tough.

I do have to say that I gave the coral an extra dose of food before I left for my meeting and when I got back home things look better. I feed them 3 times a week. Maybe they need more.