Xenia Problem

[Gilbert]

Ok, i've had my 55 gallon up for almost a year. It has a little more then a 100lbs. of live rock, 2.5" sand bed, a Korillia 2&3, wet/dry system, skimmer, 2x175watt MH's, 2x110watt VHO's, and various types of corals. But my problem is the coral i want the most is the one i can't keep alive. Xenia always seems to slowly shrivle up and die, i've placed it in many different locations in my tank still to have no success. I have even dosed Kent Iodine, but that only seems to prolong its death. I've spent alot of money buying xenia but it always dies i've never even seen it pulsate in my tank.
I currently have the regular xenia and pom pom xenia i bought from Mr.Cob just swaying in the water.

[RayAllen]

We need to know your exact water paremeters in order to really help you. So you know Xenia is one of those corals that will thrive well in some tank like weeds and not so well in others even with established healthy tanks.

[Gilbert]

Im going to try and go to B&B today so i'll post them later

[ErikH]

Probably CA/alk and ph problems. Xenia will die if ph swings too much.

[alton]

Add Phosphates, Nitrates and turn off your skimmer(Just Joking) But Xenia loves dirty water.

[DrMark]

Agree with the pH. Then when the xenia dies puts everything else in trouble. Just dealt with this and saved almost everything else by moving to my other system.
Xenia was growing like crazy, pulsing like crazy. Had it in a Red Sea max 34 gal half way up rock. It liked it.


Probably CA/alk and ph problems. Xenia will die if ph swings too much.

[wesheltonj]

I also had problems with Xenia. Then I placed several together in a group, now they are growing like a weed, while the one that is by itself is doing nothing.

[JimD]

Whats the temp? Xenia will react to higher temps faster than it will to Ph swings...

[Mr Cob]

Gilbert,

First...sorry about the possible loss on the little guy.

He came from a place high in the tank with low water flow. Also my tank is at 78.5-79 degrees in the evening hours and 79.5-80 during the day when the lights are on. No abnormal parameters and a very light fish load for a 120gal.

I was dosing Kents Iodide once a week and Lugol's Marine Solution once a week too (https://www.pets-warehouse.com/aquacart/reef.html). I also add a very small amount of calcium every few days.

I actually have a hard time killing them off when they start growing in the prime real estate areas of my rockscape.

If you lose him I would be happy to get you another frag. I'll prepare for that now and throw some rubble in a colony.

Seems as though zenia are hit and miss and kind of hard to trouble shoot because they are not consistent to any specific parameters.

Just let me know...good luck.

[Mr Cob]

I also had problems with Xenia. Then I placed several together in a group, now they are growing like a weed, while the one that is by itself is doing nothing.

When I have ones by themselves I put some rubble next to it so that the rubble is touching it and leave it there for a week or two....eventually the zenia will attach to it and then I pull the rubble away and you will have a starter colony expedited. Let them relax and recover for a week then.....Repeat process over and over again.

Yes they definitely seem to do better when they have sisters and brothers....or should I say clones.

[Bill S]

I can't grow Xenia in the big tank - just shrivels up and dies. In the 55, it's a weed.

[john C]

Hey Gilbert If All Under Control Over There Ill Pass You 2 Stalks

[Mr Cob]

I have another frag you can have gilbert. It's smaller but will be ready to go when you are ready.

[Gilbert]

Thanks Alton, John C, and Mr Cob, but im going to buy some RED SEA PRO salt before i chance killing any more xenia. Hopefully yall can hold them for another few days.

[Mr Cob]

Thanks Alton, John C, and Mr Cob, but im going to buy some RED SEA PRO salt before i chance killing any more xenia. Hopefully yall can hold them for another few days.

Cool, I'll have a frag waiting for you. I'll see if I can get a few branches on the frag for you.... for the cause.

Call me when you are ready to pick it up.

[Fish4life]

water is your water source? I could never keep xenia until i used 0 tds ro/di water. Now i can't get rid of it. Of course when you blast a tunze at it it doesn't like it too much.

[joelb]

did u try putting them in very little water flow? how often do u change your water? (less is better for them) how r your other corals doing in responce to your dosing? if not any better, try more natural filtration, i.e. refuge with no chemicals. good luck, i have some pom pom xenia for u (free) if that works. good luck

[drgnbttrfly]

mine like it better in the fuge with less overall flow and actually pulse...where in the display because i have flow in the whole tank...there really isn't a "calm" spot they just sway...but none of them died *knock on wood*