why is my xenia dead/dying

xxwake4lifexx · 04/30/2009, 05:48 PM

I've had my small colony of pulsing xenia for like 2 weeks give or take. They've been doing great from the moment I placed them into the tank. I could already see the progress of new stalks forming. I started them in the sand bed, then moved up to about the mid-tank level, and then onto my highest rock (where they seemed happy for several days). About 2 or 3 days ago I noticed one of the stalks became very droopy and small and had turned a dark grayish in color. I could see the gray at the bottom of the other stalk too.

Today I came home from school and its completely shriveled up. I mean it almost looks like bare rock. What ever is left doesn't look too happy. I took the rock down and placed it onto my lowest rock.

All the other corals are colorful and vibrant, as well as my fish. What happened?

4-30-09

pH - 8.4
SG - 1.025
temp - 78F
ammonia - 0
nitrate - 0-0.5
nitrite - 0.1
Ca - 370ppm (still need to raise it, about 420 right?)
Phosphate - 0.25-0.5 (down from my original of 3 ppm and then 1 ppm)
alk - 'normal'

kraze3 · 04/30/2009, 05:51 PM

Xenia can be funny sometimes. I have seen it shrivel up and die only to grow back a few weeks later. I would maybe try to move them a bit lower. Maybe they dont like the new spot. What kind of lights are you running?

Aquarist007 · 04/30/2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kraze3
Xenia can be funny sometimes. I have seen it shrivel up and die only to grow back a few weeks later. I would maybe try to move them a bit lower. Maybe they dont like the new spot. What kind of lights are you running?

I agree

You were correct starting them low in the tank---but next time keep them low for a longer period of time---if they thrive leave them there
Another consideration is that this coral likes a dirty tank--one very rich in organics----organics usually fall to the bottom levels of your tank making that area richer then top layers where the water is being filtered off.

Gary Majchrzak · 04/30/2009, 05:56 PM

the first thing I'd question is what (other) corals are doing fine in this aquarium.

the second thing I'd question is alkalinity. "Normal" doesn't cut it- a real quantative value needs to be posted.

IME even if a very tiny piece of Xenia survives it's possible to grow back too much of it.

xxwake4lifexx · 04/30/2009, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by capn_hylinur
I agree

You were correct starting them low in the tank---but next time keep them low for a longer period of time---if they thrive leave them there
Another consideration is that this coral likes a dirty tank--one very rich in organics----organics usually fall to the bottom levels of your tank making that area richer then top layers where the water is being filtered off.

I am running the Current Sundial 4x24W T5 system.

I'll keep 'em on that low rock and see if I can get any progress with them.

xxwake4lifexx · 04/30/2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gary Majchrzak
the first thing I'd question is what (other) corals are doing fine in this aquarium.

the second thing I'd question is alkalinity. "Normal" doesn't cut it- a real quantative value needs to be posted.

IME even if a very tiny piece of Xenia survives it's possible to grow back too much of it.

Well the test that is in my kit only has values of "low-normal-high." I should probably get a better one, though.

As for the other corals: several colonies of zoanthids, monticap, birdsnest, favia, palys, star polyps, fungia, candy cane coral, some rics, and a single gigantic purple mushroom.

Gary Majchrzak · 04/30/2009, 06:11 PM

IME most "pulsing Xenia" do just fine under a wide range of lighting conditions. Your focus should be on water conditions.
Often times a brand new reef aquarium just doesn't have enough DOC's to support a thriving Xenia population. Conversly, older reef aquariums can often have an explosion of Xenia growth. In any case, alkalinity and temperature is very important to most types of Xenia. Temps that are too high and/or alkalinity that's out of whack can melt down a field of Xenia overnight. So can an "overdose" of phosphate remover media.

04/30/2009, 05:48 PM	#1
xxwake4lifexx Josh Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Riverside Posts: 269	why is my xenia dead/dying I've had my small colony of pulsing xenia for like 2 weeks give or take. They've been doing great from the moment I placed them into the tank. I could already see the progress of new stalks forming. I started them in the sand bed, then moved up to about the mid-tank level, and then onto my highest rock (where they seemed happy for several days). About 2 or 3 days ago I noticed one of the stalks became very droopy and small and had turned a dark grayish in color. I could see the gray at the bottom of the other stalk too. Today I came home from school and its completely shriveled up. I mean it almost looks like bare rock. What ever is left doesn't look too happy. I took the rock down and placed it onto my lowest rock. All the other corals are colorful and vibrant, as well as my fish. What happened? 4-30-09 pH - 8.4 SG - 1.025 temp - 78F ammonia - 0 nitrate - 0-0.5 nitrite - 0.1 Ca - 370ppm (still need to raise it, about 420 right?) Phosphate - 0.25-0.5 (down from my original of 3 ppm and then 1 ppm) alk - 'normal' __________________ Every man dies. Not every man really lives. - William Wallace Current Tank Info: 29g mixed reef: monti cap, frogspawn, GSP, xenia, candy cane coral, zoanthids, mushrooms, pipe organ

04/30/2009, 05:56 PM	#4
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	the first thing I'd question is what (other) corals are doing fine in this aquarium. the second thing I'd question is alkalinity. "Normal" doesn't cut it- a real quantative value needs to be posted. IME even if a very tiny piece of Xenia survives it's possible to grow back too much of it. __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

04/30/2009, 06:11 PM	#7
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	IME most "pulsing Xenia" do just fine under a wide range of lighting conditions. Your focus should be on water conditions. Often times a brand new reef aquarium just doesn't have enough DOC's to support a thriving Xenia population. Conversly, older reef aquariums can often have an explosion of Xenia growth. In any case, alkalinity and temperature is very important to most types of Xenia. Temps that are too high and/or alkalinity that's out of whack can melt down a field of Xenia overnight. So can an "overdose" of phosphate remover media. __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

04/30/2009, 05:51 PM	#2
kraze3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: RI Posts: 2,373	Xenia can be funny sometimes. I have seen it shrivel up and die only to grow back a few weeks later. I would maybe try to move them a bit lower. Maybe they dont like the new spot. What kind of lights are you running?