Pulsing Xenia, can it be controlled?

[Killamanjaro]

My gf is really wanting to get some pulsing xenia, she always points it out when we go to the lfs. It would be nice to get it considering she is totally supportive of my reefing and quite enjoys it, but everything I've read tells me that it will be a pain as it becomes invasive.

If I was to put it on its own rock on the sand bed, would I be able to keep it contained on just that rock? are there ways to control pulsing xenia? same goes for green star polyps?

 

[Greybeard]

On it's own rock, well separated from any other rocks, way out on the sand bed... sure.

Many years ago, I used to grow it on 12" ceramic tiles in my refugeum as nutrient export. Harvested it monthly with a razor blade and an ice scraper

 

[Malkbone]

It can grow very quickly and spread like wild fire. If you're willing to maintain it and don't have an "island" in the sand to isolate it, put it somewhere you can reach it easily to trim it back when you need too.

Nothing wrong with keeping it in your tank, it won't become free swimming and take over every surface. Aslong as you anticipate it needing to be maintained its very possible to keep.

Same goes for gsp, if you can't isolate it make sure you can get to it easily for trimming

(You can also say screw it, and have a xenia only tank)

 

[Livinlocal]

Making an island WILL NOT stop it from spreading. It will release polyps into the water column and it will go everywhere.

 

[dilligaf29]

tell ur gf no. don't be like me and say ok lets get it before u know it bam it looks like my tank

 

[reef lover]

I have grown and harvested xenia for the past 8 years...keep it isolated with rubble around it...when it grows out trade it in and add more rubble..

 

[Killamanjaro]

tell ur gf no. don't be like me and say ok lets get it before u know it bam it looks like my tank

Lol that’s what I’m trying to avoid. That’s an awesome looking toadstool though!

 

[Killamanjaro]

Making an island WILL NOT stop it from spreading. It will release polyps into the water column and it will go everywhere.

This is what I’ve read a lot about, apparently it’s not as simple as putting it on an isolated rock in the sand bed. Like pocillopora it releases polyps and ends up in different areas. Is this only when it outgrows it’s isolation island or just randomly?

 

[Livinlocal]

I would say it’s worse because a poci needs to spawn in order to spread, meanwhile xiena just needs a polyp to rip off and then it can take ahold of wherever it lands. Once a month I go into my tank and cut any Xenia I see, then it returns, then I cut again. It’s a vicious cycle.

People always ask; if you could change one thing about your system, or give one piece of advice, what would it be?

To NEVER put Xenia in your system. Hahaha

 

[CNDReef]

It’ll do it randomly. I just redid my tank because of it. Started just like you, wife wanted it and I couldn’t say no. After taking all my rock out to chip the rock where it was I can finally say I’m free of it. Wife now says “ why did you get it if it was going to be a plague “ lol

 

[Livinlocal]

It’ll do it randomly. I just redid my tank because of it. Started just like you, wife wanted it and I couldn’t say no. After taking all my rock out to chip the rock where it was I can finally say I’m free of it. Wife now says “ why did you get it if it was going to be a plague “ lol

Report back in 30 days and let us know if anything new pops up lol. I freaking hate this stuff with a passion haha

 

[CNDReef]

I literally had to break rock off , wasn’t taking any chances. If I find any stragglers I’m nuking then with peroxide :mad:

 

[Reefer Reboot]

I do like the looks of a patch of Xenia's pumping away. So here's my tongue in cheek way of controlling my Xenia. My Condylactis Anemone loves to eat it. Mother nature finds a way!;Drool

Yum.

 

[CNDReef]

Heard acan enchinadas also eat Xenia

 

[FredsNJReef]

this thread made me chuckle Esp when the wife made you do it, then asked why you did it LOLOL!!
thanks guys!!

 

[CNDReef]

this thread made me chuckle Esp when the wife made you do it, then asked why you did it LOLOL!!
thanks guys!!

Doesn’t that always happen ;Bookworm

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

10 years in and I haven’t had Xenia spread like wildfire.

I must be doing somethig wrong.

 

[Fudsey]

I have grown and harvested xenia for the past 8 years...keep it isolated with rubble around it...when it grows out trade it in and add more rubble..

About what size rubble you using @reef lover ? I have someone that asked if I want some PomPom Xenia, just don't want it to take over and thought an island would work like for GSP

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

Is it possible to setup a Xenia-only tank? You get her into the hobby and she gets her favorite coral right off the bat. Setting up like an IM10 with something like this would be pretty awesome. That contrast is beautiful.

tell ur gf no. don't be like me and say ok lets get it before u know it bam it looks like my tank

 

[CNDReef]

I had the long xenia back when I first got in (04) and it didn’t grow quick at all. This Pom Pom is like crabgrass, you need to take out the substrate to get rid of it ;Dead