Pulsing Xenia question

Jim_Leyland · 08/07/2006, 11:14 AM

how long does it take them to "open" up after placing them in a tank? i got some for free to see if i could grow them and they have been in there for about 30min. and they are closed and they seem to have kind of a "jerky" movement to them? is this normal? are they jerky b/c they don't like the new place or what? any kind of help would be great

newreefbishop · 08/07/2006, 11:21 AM

Not sure about jerking motion, but I know it could take upto 2 days for them to "open". This also depends on your water quality and how well you acclimate them, and you lighting. When I first got mine the opened withing 10 minutes.....

antdog · 08/07/2006, 11:46 AM

How long it takes them to open may vary. Mine didn't open as quickly as 10 mins, but they did after a while. Also, how much flow do you have on them? That may have something to do with it. I had turned off one of my power heads because I thought there was too much flow, but found that the xenia wouldn't open. When I turned back on the powerhead (thus increasing flow) they opened right up! Another thing to make sure of is that you don't have any inverts or fish touching them. When I got mine (the other day, btw), the rock it was attached to had a lot of alqae, so my snails and crabs were all over it! Whenever they would some in contact with the xenia, it would close up tightly.

sir_dudeguy · 08/07/2006, 12:08 PM

ya it can be different for every seperate xenia. For example i got 3 frags (well..3 small rocks, and 2 of them had multiple frags on them) but 2 of the groups of frags never even closed at all. From the time i got them in a baggie and into my tank, they never closed lol. But the other frag stayed closed for about 5 minutes after i put it in.

As for up to 2 days...i say yes and no...i've seen them stay closed for more than 2 days before, so i wouldnt say thats the longest they will stay closed. I've seen a few go for about a week because of bad water quality/lighting.

also, i dont get what you mean by "jerking" motion....do you mean that each little "hand" is opening and closing? if so, thats normal (hence the name "pulsing" xenia). Or are they all closed up (like into a bunch of little fists lol...thats what it looks like to me) and they just look like they wiggle every now and then? if thats it, then i'd say its just the flow blowing them around. nothin to worry about.

just give it a few days and it should be open. What lighting do you have them under btw?

hth
mike

4MB · 08/07/2006, 01:25 PM

I bought a couple stalks on one rock the other day. They floated in the tank for about 15 mins and for an unforseen issue I had to leave and I just threw it in. Came back 2 hours later and it looked even better than it did at the LFS. Same thing with my frogspawn.

Jim_Leyland · 08/07/2006, 04:45 PM

im just using regular lighting like 30watts total.. i know its probably not enough.. im gettin a few frags of some different stuff for free from someone who's tank is being over run so hes just helpin me out and lettin me try different things before i go buy anything.. thanks for the info tho.. still not all the way open.. 5hrs

druce · 08/07/2006, 05:51 PM

lighting makes a huge diff (IMHO)

Mine were under PC's for a year, they did ok, Did really well when my lights were new, but over time they just survived, not really growing or pulsing much. I just upgraded to MH 3 days ago, and I swear within hours they started pulsing like mad.

Jim_Leyland · 08/07/2006, 06:27 PM

i noticed that now that they are open like you said they arn't pulsing much

.. maybe if i use some 50/50 bulbs that might help? what do you think? im gonna get those bulbs at any rate but do you think it will make them pulse more? .. i don't think they are looking very happy at the moment comming from their old home.. as long as they don't die i guess..

druce · 08/07/2006, 06:34 PM

my personal thoughts are - if you are going to get better lights, then the tank as a whole can only benefit from it

ek9vboi · 08/07/2006, 07:17 PM

Mine are doing great. They opened up right away... in fact they were pulsing in the bag and them a lot more once in my tank. It is normal for them to close up and not open. When I frag my xenia (cut) they close for a few hours and then open right back up.

Lighting - they love it. I have mine sitting at the top. I use a 50/50 and a dual actinic bulbs, both 65w over my 29g. In fact, they do pulse a lot more then the frags I have sitting at the buttom of the tank.

Flow - In my tank they prefer low to moderate. But there are some spots where the flow is heavy! The ones in the heavy zones grow thicker stalks and can handle the flow very well. It just takes time... but if you see them "melting" then you have a problem. Some can grow them like weed, others struggle.

08/07/2006, 11:14 AM	#1
Jim_Leyland Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent, Ohio Posts: 924	Pulsing Xenia question how long does it take them to "open" up after placing them in a tank? i got some for free to see if i could grow them and they have been in there for about 30min. and they are closed and they seem to have kind of a "jerky" movement to them? is this normal? are they jerky b/c they don't like the new place or what? any kind of help would be great

08/07/2006, 11:21 AM	#2
newreefbishop Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,787	Not sure about jerking motion, but I know it could take upto 2 days for them to "open". This also depends on your water quality and how well you acclimate them, and you lighting. When I first got mine the opened withing 10 minutes..... __________________ Its not just a hobby, it's a lifestyle!!!! The 65 is gone the 110 is in, click the red house for the 110. *Updated Current Tank Info: 110 gal R/R AGA with 40 gallon DIY fuge/sump, 2 AI Sol Blue LED modules, RKL system, Vortech Powerheads, Softies, LPS and SPS. Fox Face, Coral Beauty, Goby, a mated pair of Midnight Black Photon Clowns, BTA, Sebae and small critters everywhere

08/07/2006, 12:08 PM	#4
sir_dudeguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 10,841	ya it can be different for every seperate xenia. For example i got 3 frags (well..3 small rocks, and 2 of them had multiple frags on them) but 2 of the groups of frags never even closed at all. From the time i got them in a baggie and into my tank, they never closed lol. But the other frag stayed closed for about 5 minutes after i put it in. As for up to 2 days...i say yes and no...i've seen them stay closed for more than 2 days before, so i wouldnt say thats the longest they will stay closed. I've seen a few go for about a week because of bad water quality/lighting. also, i dont get what you mean by "jerking" motion....do you mean that each little "hand" is opening and closing? if so, thats normal (hence the name "pulsing" xenia). Or are they all closed up (like into a bunch of little fists lol...thats what it looks like to me) and they just look like they wiggle every now and then? if thats it, then i'd say its just the flow blowing them around. nothin to worry about. just give it a few days and it should be open. What lighting do you have them under btw? hth mike __________________ TAKE...LUCK!!!

08/07/2006, 05:51 PM	#7
druce Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: North Liberty, IA Posts: 1,349	lighting makes a huge diff (IMHO) Mine were under PC's for a year, they did ok, Did really well when my lights were new, but over time they just survived, not really growing or pulsing much. I just upgraded to MH 3 days ago, and I swear within hours they started pulsing like mad. __________________ Click the red house to see tank pics and my blog and to get the link for my RC tank thread! Current Tank Info: 90 gal AGA RR, 55 gal long for sump, 17g Aquafuge pro as refugium - 2x 150w MH, 2x 96w Actinic

08/07/2006, 06:34 PM	#9
druce Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: North Liberty, IA Posts: 1,349	my personal thoughts are - if you are going to get better lights, then the tank as a whole can only benefit from it __________________ Click the red house to see tank pics and my blog and to get the link for my RC tank thread! Current Tank Info: 90 gal AGA RR, 55 gal long for sump, 17g Aquafuge pro as refugium - 2x 150w MH, 2x 96w Actinic

08/07/2006, 11:46 AM	#3
antdog Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: The Colony, TX Posts: 47	How long it takes them to open may vary. Mine didn't open as quickly as 10 mins, but they did after a while. Also, how much flow do you have on them? That may have something to do with it. I had turned off one of my power heads because I thought there was too much flow, but found that the xenia wouldn't open. When I turned back on the powerhead (thus increasing flow) they opened right up! Another thing to make sure of is that you don't have any inverts or fish touching them. When I got mine (the other day, btw), the rock it was attached to had a lot of alqae, so my snails and crabs were all over it! Whenever they would some in contact with the xenia, it would close up tightly.

08/07/2006, 01:25 PM	#5
4MB Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 98	I bought a couple stalks on one rock the other day. They floated in the tank for about 15 mins and for an unforseen issue I had to leave and I just threw it in. Came back 2 hours later and it looked even better than it did at the LFS. Same thing with my frogspawn.

08/07/2006, 04:45 PM	#6
Jim_Leyland Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent, Ohio Posts: 924	im just using regular lighting like 30watts total.. i know its probably not enough.. im gettin a few frags of some different stuff for free from someone who's tank is being over run so hes just helpin me out and lettin me try different things before i go buy anything.. thanks for the info tho.. still not all the way open.. 5hrs

08/07/2006, 06:27 PM	#8
Jim_Leyland Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent, Ohio Posts: 924	i noticed that now that they are open like you said they arn't pulsing much .. maybe if i use some 50/50 bulbs that might help? what do you think? im gonna get those bulbs at any rate but do you think it will make them pulse more? .. i don't think they are looking very happy at the moment comming from their old home.. as long as they don't die i guess..

08/07/2006, 07:17 PM	#10
ek9vboi Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 3,027	Mine are doing great. They opened up right away... in fact they were pulsing in the bag and them a lot more once in my tank. It is normal for them to close up and not open. When I frag my xenia (cut) they close for a few hours and then open right back up. Lighting - they love it. I have mine sitting at the top. I use a 50/50 and a dual actinic bulbs, both 65w over my 29g. In fact, they do pulse a lot more then the frags I have sitting at the buttom of the tank. Flow - In my tank they prefer low to moderate. But there are some spots where the flow is heavy! The ones in the heavy zones grow thicker stalks and can handle the flow very well. It just takes time... but if you see them "melting" then you have a problem. Some can grow them like weed, others struggle.