pulsing Zena

pmartin727 · 06/04/2007, 10:53 AM

I Just got a small frag of these pulsing Zena (4 small stocks).

At the LFS these things were just pulsing like crazy!!!! (every seconds)

I have had them in my tank for four days now. the first fews days they were grabbing at the water once every 3-5 seconds.
The last two days they have slowed down to about once every 10-15 seconds.

I have heard two different things....

1). I have much more flow then the LFS (He had a tank setup for zena only). Since I have more flow they don't need to grab as much. Maybe?????

2) I was told to add Iodine to the tank...........

I should also tell you I am treating my tank with calcium right now...A little low 365. Could that effect them.

Also Zena close when they are not doing well right?
Well these guys STAY with the palm open fully they just dont pulse as they once did

Any thoughts??

BigScott · 06/04/2007, 11:00 AM

i never add anything i dont test for{ Iodine}..i cant grow xenias , how ever i can grow pink pompoms like mad..thier high low an on the bottom of my tank..hope that helps..

scott

barbra · 06/04/2007, 11:02 AM

Sometimes Xenia lose their pulsing ability. It doesn't mean they are sick or injured or even unhappy as they will continue to grow and thrive even if they don't pulse. Since nobody knows what makes them pulse in the first place it is hard to determine why they stop doing it, but there is some anecdotal evidence that pH/alk levels being out of whack may be responsible.

Xenia can take a while to acclimate to a new tank as well. Give them 2 weeks or a month to get used to your setup. It could be that these don't pulse any longer.

pmartin727 · 06/04/2007, 11:22 AM

Sorry for the spelling guys!! LOL

So these will stop pulsing altogether ??? That sucks!!! they look so awsome when they pulse!!

The LFS tank NEVER stops pulsing but he says he does "Nothing" different then I'm doing.....He even test my water and all water parms are pretty close to each oth his Calcium is higher and his his alk is higher not by much but its like 360 to 425.

Thus the reason I am using the Bionic 2 part Cal/Alk buffer system.

Any other ideas beside SOL.......

Sparty00 · 06/04/2007, 11:22 AM

I have had Xenia's in my tank for about 3 weeks, they are doing great, however I don't see them actually pulsing as much when my system is on and all power heads are running.

If I shut down to do water changes or sometimes when I feed, they start pulsing.

I think yours are probably fine...maybe check them out when you shut off your flow for a moment.

pmartin727 · 06/04/2007, 11:34 AM

Quote:

I think yours are probably fine...maybe check them out when you shut off your flow for a moment.

I never shout my system "OFF" or the flow. At best I turn it off for a water change but that takes what 10 minutes...with cleaning time. So I could not tell that way.

You actually kill the flow to your tank???????

I have to many other peices that could not happen in my tank for too long.

you say they are doing great......But not pulsing as much???

So basiclly its like a hambuger joint ......The product looks great in the pic/ LFS. But when you get it to the the table/ take it Home it looks like crap!

I was hoping to get an answer that theses little guys would pulse at the rate they did...but it looks like I'll be heart broken

barbra · 06/04/2007, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pmartin727

I was hoping to get an answer that theses little guys would pulse at the rate they did...but it looks like I'll be heart broken

Like I said, they can take a LONG time to acclimate, don't write them off yet.

pmartin727 · 06/04/2007, 11:44 AM

Thanks ,......

I was not writting them off they are beautiful and I love them
I am just writting off the idea that they will pulse like they once did at the LFS... They still look REALLY healthy and they grow super fast ........already growing off the frag in a week!!!!

fuzzyt · 06/04/2007, 11:47 AM

Yup, I have quite a few, as they won't stop growing.... They seem pretty hardy in my system, but finicky. They will ball up at slight irritations. The pulsing rate seems to change a little in different locations. Like barbra said, give them some time.

I have also read here on RC that they are temperature sensitive and that temps above 82-84 can cause them to die off. I keep my tank in the 79-80 and they are doing great.

Best of luck!

pmartin727 · 06/04/2007, 11:54 AM

Thanks again

I 'll keep an eye on the temp...I like to keep it 75-80.....
That is a battle with this small tank. Mornings its 75-76 but the night time its 78-80.

Could that be an issue?? Its never below 75 an never above 80.

zimmy1979 · 06/04/2007, 11:59 AM

You should see my tank..those things can be a curse..I am warning you

I got a small stalk in my tank and put it in and it actually attached to the rock but then died a few weeks later...or so I thought. Now my tank is overgrown with them and they pulse like mad in super high current and low current and on the top of the tank near the MH and at the bottom of the tank under the other stalks. Don't write them off and also don't wish that they grow like crazy because they do take a ton of room and can also block the light for other corals...be careful for what you wish

.

pmartin727 · 06/04/2007, 12:07 PM

Quote:

You should see my tank..those things can be a curse..I am warning you

I would love to see your tank (Post PICS).....

I really would love that problem .......as fraging them my self is my plan in the LONG run anyway..... LFS trades all the time and I have a few buddies with tanks... I am really into frags right now

zimmy1979 · 06/04/2007, 12:27 PM

Ok..here you go then..

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

You can't see everything I have but you should be able to see how insane that stuff can grow

. It is growing in other places but the picture doesn't do my tank justice..o well.

pmartin727 · 06/04/2007, 12:30 PM

zimmy1979

Thanks man... I have actually seen your tank before (Pic anyway)
Very nice.....

Looks like you have high flow on they Xenia.......do they pulse often?????? Did they ever????

zimmy1979 · 06/04/2007, 12:36 PM

Yea. I had one stalk stop for maybe a month but then start back up again. They pulse almost constantly but like most people have said in this thread nobody really does know why they do and don't pulse (I heard they feed off the nutrients in the water more so then light). It is actually enjoyable watching my Zena even though they can be a pest because they move to almost a rhythm in the tank with the flow like a bunch of people swinging their arms back and forth and clapping..yea..don't do drugs kids!

.

Paul

Sparty00 · 06/04/2007, 12:39 PM

I only kill the flow for like 10 min. While doing water change or feeding sometimes.

In that period I see them pulse more than when the flow is going.

They are doing great as they are already growing, and spreading to other rocks. Like people have mentioned control might be the biggest challenged with these.

pmartin727 · 06/04/2007, 12:39 PM

Quote:

the flow like a bunch of people swinging their arms back and forth and clapping..yea..don't do drugs kids! .

That is classic.......Tab is more than just soda??????????

LOL I can not wait till my grow now

06/04/2007, 10:53 AM	#1
pmartin727 Moved On Join Date: May 2007 Location: Orange County California Posts: 426	pulsing Zena I Just got a small frag of these pulsing Zena (4 small stocks). At the LFS these things were just pulsing like crazy!!!! (every seconds) I have had them in my tank for four days now. the first fews days they were grabbing at the water once every 3-5 seconds. The last two days they have slowed down to about once every 10-15 seconds. I have heard two different things.... 1). I have much more flow then the LFS (He had a tank setup for zena only). Since I have more flow they don't need to grab as much. Maybe????? 2) I was told to add Iodine to the tank........... I should also tell you I am treating my tank with calcium right now...A little low 365. Could that effect them. Also Zena close when they are not doing well right? Well these guys STAY with the palm open fully they just dont pulse as they once did Any thoughts??

06/04/2007, 11:00 AM	#2
BigScott Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: norman , okla Posts: 2,267	i never add anything i dont test for{ Iodine}..i cant grow xenias , how ever i can grow pink pompoms like mad..thier high low an on the bottom of my tank..hope that helps.. scott __________________ Big ScoTT just stoppin in to say hello.. Current Tank Info: one 40 breeder,40 long sump..t5 lights an a 50 gallon in the works..if i ever get a truck to move it..

06/04/2007, 11:44 AM	#8
pmartin727 Moved On Join Date: May 2007 Location: Orange County California Posts: 426	barbra Thanks ,...... I was not writting them off they are beautiful and I love them I am just writting off the idea that they will pulse like they once did at the LFS... They still look REALLY healthy and they grow super fast ........already growing off the frag in a week!!!!

06/04/2007, 12:27 PM	#13
zimmy1979 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: City of Angels Posts: 405	Ok..here you go then.. You can't see everything I have but you should be able to see how insane that stuff can grow . It is growing in other places but the picture doesn't do my tank justice..o well.

06/04/2007, 12:30 PM	#14
pmartin727 Moved On Join Date: May 2007 Location: Orange County California Posts: 426	zimmy1979 zimmy1979 Thanks man... I have actually seen your tank before (Pic anyway) Very nice..... Looks like you have high flow on they Xenia.......do they pulse often?????? Did they ever????

06/04/2007, 11:02 AM	#3
barbra Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Va Beach, VA Posts: 1,408	Sometimes Xenia lose their pulsing ability. It doesn't mean they are sick or injured or even unhappy as they will continue to grow and thrive even if they don't pulse. Since nobody knows what makes them pulse in the first place it is hard to determine why they stop doing it, but there is some anecdotal evidence that pH/alk levels being out of whack may be responsible. Xenia can take a while to acclimate to a new tank as well. Give them 2 weeks or a month to get used to your setup. It could be that these don't pulse any longer.

06/04/2007, 11:22 AM	#4
pmartin727 Moved On Join Date: May 2007 Location: Orange County California Posts: 426	Sorry for the spelling guys!! LOL So these will stop pulsing altogether ??? That sucks!!! they look so awsome when they pulse!! The LFS tank NEVER stops pulsing but he says he does "Nothing" different then I'm doing.....He even test my water and all water parms are pretty close to each oth his Calcium is higher and his his alk is higher not by much but its like 360 to 425. Thus the reason I am using the Bionic 2 part Cal/Alk buffer system. Any other ideas beside SOL.......

06/04/2007, 11:22 AM	#5
Sparty00 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rochester, MI Posts: 272	I have had Xenia's in my tank for about 3 weeks, they are doing great, however I don't see them actually pulsing as much when my system is on and all power heads are running. If I shut down to do water changes or sometimes when I feed, they start pulsing. I think yours are probably fine...maybe check them out when you shut off your flow for a moment.

06/04/2007, 11:47 AM	#9
fuzzyt Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 250	Yup, I have quite a few, as they won't stop growing.... They seem pretty hardy in my system, but finicky. They will ball up at slight irritations. The pulsing rate seems to change a little in different locations. Like barbra said, give them some time. I have also read here on RC that they are temperature sensitive and that temps above 82-84 can cause them to die off. I keep my tank in the 79-80 and they are doing great. Best of luck!

06/04/2007, 11:54 AM	#10
pmartin727 Moved On Join Date: May 2007 Location: Orange County California Posts: 426	Thanks again I 'll keep an eye on the temp...I like to keep it 75-80..... That is a battle with this small tank. Mornings its 75-76 but the night time its 78-80. Could that be an issue?? Its never below 75 an never above 80.

06/04/2007, 11:59 AM	#11
zimmy1979 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: City of Angels Posts: 405	You should see my tank..those things can be a curse..I am warning you I got a small stalk in my tank and put it in and it actually attached to the rock but then died a few weeks later...or so I thought. Now my tank is overgrown with them and they pulse like mad in super high current and low current and on the top of the tank near the MH and at the bottom of the tank under the other stalks. Don't write them off and also don't wish that they grow like crazy because they do take a ton of room and can also block the light for other corals...be careful for what you wish .

06/04/2007, 12:36 PM	#15
zimmy1979 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: City of Angels Posts: 405	Yea. I had one stalk stop for maybe a month but then start back up again. They pulse almost constantly but like most people have said in this thread nobody really does know why they do and don't pulse (I heard they feed off the nutrients in the water more so then light). It is actually enjoyable watching my Zena even though they can be a pest because they move to almost a rhythm in the tank with the flow like a bunch of people swinging their arms back and forth and clapping..yea..don't do drugs kids! . Paul

06/04/2007, 12:39 PM	#16
Sparty00 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rochester, MI Posts: 272	I only kill the flow for like 10 min. While doing water change or feeding sometimes. In that period I see them pulse more than when the flow is going. They are doing great as they are already growing, and spreading to other rocks. Like people have mentioned control might be the biggest challenged with these.