Do Xenia Oxygenate The Water?

[Forsaken77]

I am trying Xenia as a nutrient reduction method in my tank, if my Foxface will stop eating it. I wanted to know if they Oxygenate the water at all?

And will Xenia lower Alkalinity?

Thanks for the help

 

[Diesel]

Not to my knowledge they take oxygen from the water as they need to live same as any other coral.
You know that corals need oxygen to thrive!
Try putting them in your sump as they quickly take over your tank when happy.

 

[Forsaken77]

Not to my knowledge they take oxygen from the water as they need to live same as any other coral.
You know that corals need oxygen to thrive!
Try putting them in your sump as they quickly take over your tank when happy.

Yea, I'm trying to regrow it because the Foxface had it down to a nub. So I'm giving it a nice nutrient rich environment.

But what about Alk? I've noticed the Ph has been dropping since I've added this sucker in my tank. I just make sure to feed the fish at first light so they stop eating the Xenia. It's tripled in size within 2 weeks, but it was literally a tiny stalk with 3 leaves left. This 93 cube won't be setup much longer so I wanted to try my nutrient experiment instead of macro algae while it's still running. Once I switch to the 180 it'll be in the fuge area.

 

[Diesel]

Xenia is doing it's job I guess.
By having cleaner water your consumption rate for the corals on ALK is going to be more.
But as you said you have a nub so. It sure.
Are you dosing or run a reactor?

 

[Lasse]

I have to partly protest @Diesel . Xenia (and all corals that use photosynthesis) does both thing – produce oxygen and consume oxygen. During light they are net producers of oxygen and during darkness they are net consumer of oxygen. It means that in a not so aerated reef tank – the oxygen level will swing up and down. If there is very much of corals and a bad aeration (read skimless and no other aeration) - the oxygen level can drop very low – dangerous low. I have been there (probably) with one tank total covered by Xenia and hairy mushrooms. If they are net producers or net consumers during a 24 hour period (12 hours light – 12 Hours dark) I can´t say – Probably – its differ between species. But my believes for Xenia is that its normally (at least 12 hour light) a net producer of oxygen.

The pH drop is possible because when the Xenia disappear – a carbon dioxide consumer also disappear.

CO2 levels and O2 levels is two sides of the same coin when you deal with organisms that use photosynthesis.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Forsaken77]

I have to partly protest @Diesel . Xenia (and all corals that use photosynthesis) does both thing – produce oxygen and consume oxygen. During light they are net producers of oxygen and during darkness they are net consumer of oxygen. It means that in a not so aerated reef tank – the oxygen level will swing up and down. If there is very much of corals and a bad aeration (read skimless and no other aeration) - the oxygen level can drop very low – dangerous low. I have been there (probably) with one tank total covered by Xenia and hairy mushrooms. If they are net producers or net consumers during a 24 hour period (12 hours light – 12 Hours dark) I can´t say – Probably – its differ between species. But my believes for Xenia is that its normally (at least 12 hour light) a net producer of oxygen.

The pH drop is possible because when the Xenia disappear – a carbon dioxide consumer also disappear.

CO2 levels and O2 levels is two sides of the same coin when you deal with organisms that use photosynthesis.

Sincerely Lasse

So Xenia, and any other photosynthetic coral, produce oxygen during daylight just like any algae would? Correct? I mean, there zooxanthellae (sp?) Is algae right? I don't think soft corals have that, but they act just like any other plant, I would assume.

 

[Lasse]

All photosynthetic corals produce oxygen when its enough light. There is both hard and soft corals that not use photosynthesis and therefore not producing oxygen. Its right that its the algae inside the coral (zooxanthellae) that is responsible for the photosynthesis and hence the production of oxygen. The animal consume oxygen, during light time from the production and during dark time from the water (and also the algae).

Sincerely Lasse