Xenia explosion

Discussion in 'Soft Corals' started by Doratus, Jul 3, 2011.

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  1. Doratus

    Doratus Teardrop Maxima Clam

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2010
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    Location:
    California
    When I first started to buy coral for my 40g reef about 6 months ago one of the first purchases I made was for a small stalk of Xenia. Now, there are at least 8 "stems" and each of those seem to be splitting off on their own as well.

    Before anyone pats me on the back though, my tank is strictly soft corals (and some LPS) and as such I can afford to let my nutrient levels get somewhat high. The only reason these Xenia are doing well is because of this reason and so if I were trying to keep SPS or something like that it probably wouldn't work for my current system.

    Anyway, on to the pics.

    This is the original colony...
    [​IMG]

    And this is now...
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    There are now two separate patches of Xenia on opposite ends of the tank (thanks to fragging) but it all came from the same parent colony. Worst case scenario is that my tank turns into a Xenia farm.

    Just thought 'yall might like to take a gander.
    (I left a couple of the pics at full resolution just as an experiment, click on the attachment if your curious.)
     

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    Last edited: Jul 3, 2011
    Doratus, Jul 3, 2011
    Doratus, Jul 3, 2011
    #1

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  2. reefmonkey

    reefmonkey Giant Squid

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    It'll become a farm. I promise.

    I started with one stalk and ended up with the stuff everywhere in my 46. But I still love it and even after taking this tank down I've put a chunk in my 90, only on it's own rock on the sand. Less chance of spreading quickly that way.

    I don't see why you could grow SPS. Just don't skim so much that the Xen die off. It's a balancing act but can be successful.
    [​IMG]
     
    reefmonkey, Jul 3, 2011
    reefmonkey, Jul 3, 2011
    #2
  3. Doratus

    Doratus Teardrop Maxima Clam

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    Is that the colony up the right side?
     
    Doratus, Jul 3, 2011
    Doratus, Jul 3, 2011
    #3
  4. reefmonkey

    reefmonkey Giant Squid

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    On the right side, on the back up the glass, on the rocks in the middle in between the SPS. LOL
     
    reefmonkey, Jul 3, 2011
    reefmonkey, Jul 3, 2011
    #4
  5. Zoanthids21

    Zoanthids21 McKoscker’s Flasher Wrasse

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    YOur lucky thats all the growth you got in 6 months. I get that in about 2 weeks :/
     
    Zoanthids21, Jul 3, 2011
    Zoanthids21, Jul 3, 2011
    #5
  6. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    I keep both sps and xenia, but the xenia growth is slow. The acropora do not seem to mind it at all (they are right next to each other). The monitpora on the other hand will not even show any PE if placed next to it. I will say though despite my best efforts to eradicate xenia, because I once thought I could not keep both has been in vain. There is always just a tiny pieces of xenia that grows back over time.
     
    Corailline, Jul 3, 2011
    Corailline, Jul 3, 2011
    #6