Difficult balance..

[Lisaod12]

I have some xenia, and from what I'm reading they like dissolved organics. I had a Nitrate problem and cured it with water changes daily.
Now I think my water is too clean. Nitrates are 0, but I had to leave my water alone for 2 days, before my xenia looked somewhat better. It's now almost fully back to normal.

It's a difficult balance, I don't want too much organics other wise I have hair algae and not enough and the Xenia looks very unhappy.

This can be tricky and I need to make sure I don't over skim my tank.

Anyone else finding this balancing act difficult at times?

[RedDragon]

well i'd just add Iodine and trace elements

[matt]

Sorry to disagree, Jaime, but I definitely would not add any iodine or trace elements, especially with all the water changes. Salt mixes contain these metals in excess of seawater levels. As long as you have fish and are feeding them, you'll have plenty of dissolved nutrients for the xenia. Xenia is definitely ph sensitive, and, as Josh said, probably this is the cause of their appearance. It would be nice to have to worry about "too clean" water, but unfortunately it's never an issue in most aquariums. In my 45, I had a pair of clowns and a bengai cardinal, fed minimal amounts (really not enough for the corals, due to overstocking) had lots of other animals that take up dissolved nutrients, algae that sequestered dissolved nutrients, and still my xenia took over the tank to the point where I was tossing handfuls of the stuff monthly. Don't worry, you'll soon wish your xenia was starving :lol:

Matt

[Tim Marvin]

Your tank is 45 gallon right? Add two tablespoons of pure apple juice and they will be very happy with you. If you've never seen xenia pulse, you will after adding the apple juice.

[Tim Marvin]

I've never tried Bud, but they love the sugar in the apple juice. Most sweet juices will work, I'm not sure about the acidic stuff like orange? I was taught this trick by Jason at SeaDwelling. I was hesitant at first but figured what the heck and they went nuts.

[witecap4u]

OK, im going to try this, sounds cool.

Maybe we can figure out a way to make an apple reactor. All you would have to do was add apples or apple sauce once a month or so. Maybe JimD could help out on this :-D

[Tim Marvin]

I'm not so sure I would use it routinely to feed but it is interesting once in a while. If you overdose them they look like they have a hang over the next day from a glucose overdose....LOL.....

[fx300]

I had never heard of doing such a thing to help out Xenias but should we do it if our Xenias seem to be doing fine? If one does this, how much of the product is safe to use?

Fabian

[Lisaod12]

Thank you everyone for your input.
I had a ph test that made it seem that my ph was fine, I just got a good Salifert ph test and my ph is way low, about 7.8 or close to 8.

I think this could be the problem. The quality of your test kits does matter!

[Tim Marvin]

I just tried a little Sunny Delight. It has orange juice in it too. The xenia is pumping away! I'll keep you informed of any adverse effects...If any.

[Lisaod12]

This juice thing made me laugh out load!
How cool :lol2:

[JimD]

Tim wont admit to it, but he also feeds his clams yellow snow, shhh, dont tell him I told ya. lol

[Tim Marvin]

Well, I just got back from diving the San Marcos river and the xenia is still pumping away. The gorgonias seem to be a little extra polyped out as well.....Interesting............

No idea on the yellow snow deal but have heard of people peeing in the tank water for clams. Jim Norris told me about this fact. I hear the clams like the ammonia.

[Tim Marvin]

Fabian, I have no idea on a safe level, but I don't use more than 1 tablespoon per 20 gallons, I know this is safe.
Joshua and Jim D have you tried it out? The clams don't seem to mind it either. It may be my imagination, but my ultra max looks open more also.

[R.Allard]

Lisaod12, lisa i have a new Electronic PH monitor for sale if your interested.
R>