Xenia

[djr99]

I just got a purple Xenia today and i was wondering how do i remove it from the pace of rock the came with it? and place it on my LR.

 

[spoon]

A lady at an LFS reached into the tank with scissors and just cut the damn thing right off the friggin rock. She gave it to me and instructed me to gently wedge it between two rocks and, voila! :notsure:
Justin

 

[eg_hatch]

I wouldnt take it off, just put it near your LR and itll slowly spread all over if your tank conditions are good..

 

[krishj39]

I agree with EG. Once xenia is acclimated and happy, it is a very very hardy coral. but, in the mean time, I'd treat it as gently as possible. Just place the xenai where you'd like it to be in the tank. Once it gets used to the tank, it should spread like crazy and you can then cut the xenia free from that rock if you need to.

 

[djr99]

thanks all, for the reply
So it will move on it's own?

 

[spoon]

I don't think they "move"... they spread pretty much.

 

[djr99]

so the only way to get it from the little rook that it's on now is to cut it off?

 

[spoon]

Snip it off with scissors. It will wilt and look sh*tty. Stick it in another tank between some rocks, obviously in a way where it wont float away. It should attach itself within two days, and will open up and be very pretty.
We just accomplished this harsh process this week, so I know it'll work. Plus, Xenia is like a weed, pretty hardy. Even the part left on the rock after the cutting, will start to grow... no BS.
Good luck, Justin

 

[spoon]

djr99: Please keep us updated on your progress. If it ends up in failure, let us hear about it. Thanks.

 

[nm reef]

I don't have additional input in regard to the xenia....
...but complaints about language used in some threads is getting old. Please keep in mind that members may be offended by foul language and try to find a way to express thoughts in a less colorful manner. Thanks...

 

[spoon]

That's probably me :yes: my bad :nervous:

 

[db]

If the Xenia is attached to a small rock I would not advise cutting it off from the rock. Just take the rock and super glue it to where ever you want the Xenia in your tank. I have had nothing but trouble with loose coral that I am trying to let attached to a rock naturally. I have lost a number of ricordea and other frags behind all of my live rock. Once the current catches that Xenia who knows where it may end up? Just my opinion

 

[rbmount]

Take a needle and some light fishing line, and thread the line close to where it was cut. then tie the line around a rock where you want it. It will attach itself in a week or two, then snip the line and pull it out.

 

[h2oengr]

Does Xenia require MHs? What kind of lighting requirements? I've got almost 5 watts/gallon, is that enough? I liked the thread from krish - "once acclimated, it is a very, very hearty coral"

 

[db]

Xenia will do fine under PC's, but it is a light loving coral. It can almost get out of control under MH's. I have PC's and mine is splitting like crazy because I have it up very high in the tank. The more light the more it pulses and divides.

 

[h2oengr]

How much light do you have? watts/gallons?
Do you live by the Aqua Aerobics plant!? I visited there to check out their aerators (wastewater plant business)

 

[db]

I have 260 watts of PC on a 55. I have the Xenia on a rock way up near the water line. I would suggest puttin the Xenia in an area up against the glass so that it spreads on to the glass rather than all over your tank. Some people like it everywhere, but I would rather keep a controlled patch. It is much easier to frag pieces of from the glass than the rocks.

 

[krishj39]

I would say 5 wpg would be enough. As said, xenia is a light hungry coral. A kinda fun, or kinda annoying thing about them (depending on how you look at it) is that they will migrate up to the top of the tank. Given enough time, it will move up as high as it can. Time and time again, I've put xenia somewhere in the tank, and it almost immediately starts moving up the rocks. Xenia can't actually move like an anenome, but the way that it grows and spreads results in it moving up the rocks. My opinion is you may as well just put it where you want it on the top of the tank.