Xenia melted

[Cjnadler]

Over the past week my Xenia has shrunk down to almost nothing. I have talked to my local fish store but they say I don’t have enough nutrients in my tank, but every time I feed my ammonia spikes and i Have a fish die. I feed frozen brine shrimp just 2-4 bites each fish it doesn’t make sense. Is there a better food I can feed my tank so that my corals are happy and so that my ammonia doesn’t spike.

 

[ylreefer]

Not exactly an answer for you here but I had my xenia do exactly the same thing. Absolutely no reason why. At the time my no3 was about 2 and my po4 at 0.03.all sps were doing well. They melted away completely and a month or 2 later I added some more when I upgraded the tank, using the water from the original tank. Have since added more xenia and they are doing fine and doubled in size in 1 month. I never did find out why . I think sometimes in this hobby we just lose stuff for no reason.

 

[tankstudy]

Over the past week my Xenia has shrunk down to almost nothing. I have talked to my local fish store but they say I don’t have enough nutrients in my tank, but every time I feed my ammonia spikes and i Have a fish die. I feed frozen brine shrimp just 2-4 bites each fish it doesn’t make sense. Is there a better food I can feed my tank so that my corals are happy and so that my ammonia doesn’t spike.

You shouldn't be having ammonia spikes after feeding unless your feeding an exorbitant amount.

I think ammonia is your issue for xenia melting. I've kept many strains of xenia and they don't need that much in nutrients. Your tank's bacteria sounds like it needs to build up more.

 

[Tamberav]

Over the past week my Xenia has shrunk down to almost nothing. I have talked to my local fish store but they say I don’t have enough nutrients in my tank, but every time I feed my ammonia spikes and i Have a fish die. I feed frozen brine shrimp just 2-4 bites each fish it doesn’t make sense. Is there a better food I can feed my tank so that my corals are happy and so that my ammonia doesn’t spike.

Getting ammonia from feeding isn't normal. Is your tank cycled?

 

[Eleni18]

My previous xenia did the same. I thought the issue might have been a drop in salinity and mag. The one I have now seems to be doing fine

 

[LegendaryCG]

Bacteria is your friend, if it’s a new tank keep adding bacteria products to help stabilize it

 

[sarcophytonIndy]

Over the past week my Xenia has shrunk down to almost nothing. I have talked to my local fish store but they say I don’t have enough nutrients in my tank, but every time I feed my ammonia spikes and i Have a fish die. I feed frozen brine shrimp just 2-4 bites each fish it doesn’t make sense. Is there a better food I can feed my tank so that my corals are happy and so that my ammonia doesn’t spike.

How long has your tank been set up?

 

[Cjnadler]

Not exactly an answer for you here but I had my xenia do exactly the same thing. Absolutely no reason why. At the time my no3 was about 2 and my po4 at 0.03.all sps were doing well. They melted away completely and a month or 2 later I added some more when I upgraded the tank, using the water from the original tank. Have since added more xenia and they are doing fine and doubled in size in 1 month. I never did find out why . I think sometimes in this hobby we just lose stuff for no reason.

It’s just weird because I’ve been losing a lot of fish as well.

 

[Cjnadler]

You shouldn't be having ammonia spikes after feeding unless your feeding an exorbitant amount.

I think ammonia is your issue for xenia melting. I've kept many strains of xenia and they don't need that much in nutrients. Your tank's bacteria sounds like it needs to build up more.

I’m thinking about adding a hang on back filter just to get more surface area and bacteria in the tank.

 

[Cjnadler]

Getting ammonia from feeding isn't normal. Is your tank cycled?

Yes my tank has been up since October.

 

[Cjnadler]

My previous xenia did the same. I thought the issue might have been a drop in salinity and mag. The one I have now seems to be doing fine

My salinity is 1.021 and my magnesium is 1260

 

[Cjnadler]

Bacteria is your friend, if it’s a new tank keep adding bacteria products to help stabilize it

Do you think bio spira is a good product ?

 

[LegendaryCG]

Yes, used it on mine.

 

[Cjnadler]

How long has your tank been set up?

Since October eveeything was great then last month I had fish just start dying left and right I lost 3 cardinals 1 coral beauty 2 shrimps one clown 1 goby

 

[Cjnadler]

Yes, used it on mine.

If I continue to add it could it raise my ammonia?

 

[LegendaryCG]

Bacteria additives should lower ammonia not raise it. If you see high ammonia Seachem Prime can assist with reducing it.

 

[ylreefer]

My salinity is 1.021 and my magnesium is 1260

Your salinity is quiet low. It's there any reason why you keep it at 1.021. If not you really want this raised to 1.025 or 1.026. But do this slowly. You can safely raise over about a week.
What would be helpful are some tank details. Size, filtration, decor, equipment in use and parameters. No3, po4, alkalinity, calcium. And even a full tank photo. Also your method if acclimation. I'm sure we can get to the bottom of this.