cutting Xenia stalks

[daredevil]

if they get too big is there a way to "trim" them so they dont overgrow in your tank? thanks-Anthony

 

[pbienkiewi]

honestly, just pull the stalks off. New xenia's will grow and the stalk you pulled off will attatch to another piece of rock. I rubber band the stalks I pull off. In a couple of days it will attatch, then take the rubber band off.

 

[katiev]

If you just want to temporarily cut them back, do just that. Cut the stalks off (I use a razorblade that I dispose of afterwards), and yank 'em out.
I almost wish I hadn't got xenia -- they're such a pain. I'm trying to rid my tank of the brown variety, but if you don't scrape every last bit off the rock, they'll be back in no time. And they stink. Badly. I can't eat mandarin oranges anymore -- my fiance agrees, they taste just like the xenia smell. (BTW, he knows this because I make HIM weed the xenia out..hee hee...)

 

[daredevil]

lol alright so just cut them off? no "guts" or anything goes flying across your tank does it?

 

[bronco300]

just cutting it is fine...youll see some stringy stuff maybe but nothing terrible..you can also put some bridal mesh over the xenia on a rock, and rubberband it so it stays on the rock--good way to get some money back into the hobby if you find a place that likes em.

 

[daredevil]

thats a good idea, thanks guys. Ive heard you can superglue them to attach them, does this affect anything in your tank?

 

[bronco300]

if you use superglue gel that will be fine...i wouldnt try gluing them myself just because they get pretty slimey, not sure how will glue will do

 

[daredevil]

ok thanks bronco and everyone else.

 

[yerboy]

few weeks ago i pulled 1 stalk of xenia out of my 12 gallon tank and super glued it to a rock in my girlfriends 2 gallon tank. 3 weeks later i have 4 stalks in that 2 gallon tank...
I tell ya once you get this stuff growing it doesn't stop for anything.