Green Star Polyps and Xenia

raycityboy1 · 12/08/2006, 08:29 AM

I have a problem in my 72 Bow. I can grow most soft corals with no problem at all; however, my problem lies in green star polyps and Xenia. I have tried both at all levels of the tank and at all different currents. No matter what I do, the Xenia pulses slower in my tank and just slowly shrinks and withers away, and star polyps usually won't come out in my tank at all and eventually die(peeling off the rock). Every time I have put some in there they have not done well. I thought these were two species that were supposed to be fast growers and quick spreaders. I was told by one person my tank might be too clean and that Xenia needs a little nitrite to survive, is that true? Thess are the specs: 76 degrees F, 75 lbs live rock, 38 species of coral, salinity 1.25, Nitrites always Yellow, I use phos ban. Twice a week I dose: 3/4oz Natureef Calcite, 3/4 oz Natureef Aragonite, 1 cup diluted Natureef Reef Former Concentrate, 3/4 oz Natureef Magnesium, 1/4 oz Natureef Sea Alk (this is much less than prescribed but if I do the prescribed amount it sends my alkalinity through the roof), 5ml Natureef Iron, 5ml Natureef Iodine, 7 drops of Natureef Stronium, 20ml of seachem trace elements, 20 ml of seachem Reef Plus(I highly recommend). I put in stress coat and stress zyme whenever I add water. I use 1/2 oz DT'S Phytoplankton twice a week. I am running 3 110W VHO 2 blue 1 white, Wet/Dry, sterilizer. I have a good collection of cleanup crew inverts. I have had this tank nearly a year but it was recovered from neglect and 6 years old when I got it. I have another reef 75 gallon w/ refuge that is only about a month in my possession but also 6 years old. The green star polyps do spectacular in this tank, the chemicals are different though. In that tank I use 3/4 oz A=B C-Balance by two little fishes every 4 days. This tank also has 3 white and 2 blue 110W VHO, 100 lbs live rock. Xenia does bad in that tank also. Former owner said that her xenia grew in that tank so fast she had to pull it out by the handfulls and throw it away. I have read on RC that many people find Xenia to be a little sensitive and tempermental, is this true? Perhaps my chem dosages are wrong, this was recommended by my LFS on my 72. On my 75 I am just replicating what the former owner did. Please help.

2swift · 12/08/2006, 08:36 AM

Imo that's a lot of chemical I dont use any in my tank and my xanie grow like weeds.
Question on the lights how old and when was the last time you changed the bulbs?

raycityboy1 · 12/08/2006, 08:41 AM

Thats what the former owner of my 75 said, she was using no sterilizer, wetdry and only using A=B and she said they were growing out of control. The lights are not even 6 months old. prior to me getting the tank they had not been changed in years. I didn't buy the Xenia or the Green Star Polyps until after the bulb change. I am curious to know how your tank is flourishing without these chems.

Lydo · 12/08/2006, 09:00 AM

The chemicals are not necissary. I use nothing at all. Not even calcium. I will add some once I get more corals because right now I have no use for it. I added Exinia 2 weeks ago and it now has 5 or 6 extra branches growing. I have 0 nitrates or nitrites in my tank and it's doing great.

raycityboy1 · 12/08/2006, 09:05 AM

I have about 38 species of coral, are those chems really necc.?

staticx · 12/08/2006, 09:13 AM

No they are not neccasary at all. You should never add anything to your tank that you dont test for. in my opinion that is just rediculous to add that many chemicals hes adding iodine and tons of other stuff jsut a waste of money if you ask me. And after adding all that he cant even keep the easiest stuff seems like a waste

raycityboy1 · 12/08/2006, 09:20 AM

Thank you so much. I have spent probably about 400.00 in chems in the last 6 months. I thought maybe I was getting duped by the lfs. I haven't many choices because hes the only one within 100 miles that knows what he is talking about. When I got the 75 reef and the owner said she never used anything, I started mimicking that in her tank to test the theory of chemicals. Some things did well, some didn't. I am just glad I got to talk to someone with experience not using chems.

techigirl78 · 12/08/2006, 09:27 AM

Don't add the chemicals if you are not testing. Most elements are replaced easily by regular water changes - fresh salt makeup water contains many of them. This in particular applies to Iodine as staticx said. What are your nitrates? What is your PH and aklinity? How stable is your PH throughout the day and night?

There is also no reason to add stress coat to a main tank. IMO, it is a waste of money.

Also, with the light, I'd probably switch to 2 daylights and 1 actinic light versus how you have it setup now.

Yes - xenia does well in some peoples tanks and poorly in others. Also, are you buying it locally or having it shipped to you? What species of corals have done well in the tank?

raycityboy1 · 12/08/2006, 09:44 AM

I will change out the lights today. All my corals are bought locally.
my Alk is 12 but will go to 14 in a second if I don't watch it. I thought if your nitrites were yellow, then you have no problem with the nitrates. I will do a test momentarily to check. As far as the ph goes between day and night, I have to check that.

below is a list of what I have.
Eagle Eye Zoos
Extreme Eagle Eye Zoos
Tubbs Blue Zoos
Red and Orange Zoos
Electric Green Zoos with brown fringe
Electric Green Zoos with Green fringe
Orange and Green Zoos
Pink Zoos
Pink and Purple Zoos
Red People Eater Zoos
Hunter Green Zoos with pink dots
Green and Purple Zoos
Brown buttons with green centers
Brown Zoos with green centers
Multi color zoos (hard to describe)
Brown zoos with either gray or blue centers
Green Cloves
Green Star Polyps
Snake Polyps
Yellow Polyps
Electric Green Mushrooms
Blue Green Mushrooms
Red Green Mushrooms
Bullseye Mushroom
Pink Ricordia
Teal Ricordia
Green Ricordia
Green and yellow Ricordia
Leather
Green tree leather(I think)
Red (looks like brain but cannot confirm its in my pics)
Branching Sunflower
Green Candy Coral
Purple and Green Candy Coral
2 Green Goniopora
Peach Montipora
Yellow Montipora
Green and Red Acopora
Gorgonia (I think)
And countless purple/green hodge podge ricordia
2 Tridacana Clams

AustinVines · 12/08/2006, 09:45 AM

I will just amplify whathas been said before. I have a 75 that has been up since May and have had no problems growing gsp and silvery elongata xenia (tan with white stripes in the fingers- the pure white that I have grows slower which is a blessing believe me). I add 2 part and dose limewater and that is it.

In the bow with so many different coral species, maybe you are having a bad reaction with the chemical warfare that some soft corals release?

raycityboy1 · 12/08/2006, 09:54 AM

In the bow with so many different coral species, maybe you are having a bad reaction with the chemical warfare that some soft corals release?

That is a posibility b/c space is limited

Limewater is Kalkwassar right?

cristhiam · 12/08/2006, 10:01 AM

Man! that a lot of chemicals, I hope you are testing for it. I have a xenia problem, mine is trying to control it

I don't add anything but limewater 24/7 as a top off and fish food. Here is a pic of my old 2+ year old tank. Some times adjust calc and alk using dowflake and baking soda. I would stop dosing for now and just wait and see, adding a lot of different chemicals can unbalance the system IMO. Good luck, sound like you have a very nice tank going on

raycityboy1 · 12/08/2006, 10:04 AM

see now, your tank looks like my 75 did when the former owner had it and all she was using was A=B. Its settled then, No more chemicals, and I just spent 30.00 in chem yesterday. I will start relying on tests. Thank you so much everyone for all your input. Now I can save that money I was spendig on chems and buy more coral. lol

cristhiam · 12/08/2006, 10:08 AM

yes limewater is kalkwrassar you can use pickling lime, a lot cheaper than buying kalk at the pet store.

raycityboy1 · 12/08/2006, 10:20 AM

Wow!!

Lydo · 12/08/2006, 10:56 AM

Man you were right about not being able to control xenia. Man your tank is full of it! By the way, it's looks awsome! Great work.

cristhiam · 12/08/2006, 11:47 AM

Now it's taking over my 125!!

supertech3 · 12/08/2006, 12:00 PM

Nice tank cristhiam!
I agree with the others, I bought many test kits to check for what needs to be added and with weekly small water changes there is hardly any need for a bunch of additives.

12/08/2006, 08:29 AM	#1
raycityboy1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Valdosta, GA Posts: 165	Green Star Polyps and Xenia I have a problem in my 72 Bow. I can grow most soft corals with no problem at all; however, my problem lies in green star polyps and Xenia. I have tried both at all levels of the tank and at all different currents. No matter what I do, the Xenia pulses slower in my tank and just slowly shrinks and withers away, and star polyps usually won't come out in my tank at all and eventually die(peeling off the rock). Every time I have put some in there they have not done well. I thought these were two species that were supposed to be fast growers and quick spreaders. I was told by one person my tank might be too clean and that Xenia needs a little nitrite to survive, is that true? Thess are the specs: 76 degrees F, 75 lbs live rock, 38 species of coral, salinity 1.25, Nitrites always Yellow, I use phos ban. Twice a week I dose: 3/4oz Natureef Calcite, 3/4 oz Natureef Aragonite, 1 cup diluted Natureef Reef Former Concentrate, 3/4 oz Natureef Magnesium, 1/4 oz Natureef Sea Alk (this is much less than prescribed but if I do the prescribed amount it sends my alkalinity through the roof), 5ml Natureef Iron, 5ml Natureef Iodine, 7 drops of Natureef Stronium, 20ml of seachem trace elements, 20 ml of seachem Reef Plus(I highly recommend). I put in stress coat and stress zyme whenever I add water. I use 1/2 oz DT'S Phytoplankton twice a week. I am running 3 110W VHO 2 blue 1 white, Wet/Dry, sterilizer. I have a good collection of cleanup crew inverts. I have had this tank nearly a year but it was recovered from neglect and 6 years old when I got it. I have another reef 75 gallon w/ refuge that is only about a month in my possession but also 6 years old. The green star polyps do spectacular in this tank, the chemicals are different though. In that tank I use 3/4 oz A=B C-Balance by two little fishes every 4 days. This tank also has 3 white and 2 blue 110W VHO, 100 lbs live rock. Xenia does bad in that tank also. Former owner said that her xenia grew in that tank so fast she had to pull it out by the handfulls and throw it away. I have read on RC that many people find Xenia to be a little sensitive and tempermental, is this true? Perhaps my chem dosages are wrong, this was recommended by my LFS on my 72. On my 75 I am just replicating what the former owner did. Please help. __________________ Click on the red house or go to: http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91108 Current Tank Info: 150 Gal Reef w/ 55 gal sump and 30 gallon fuge

12/08/2006, 08:36 AM	#2
2swift Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ruskin,FLA Posts: 876	Imo that's a lot of chemical I dont use any in my tank and my xanie grow like weeds. Question on the lights how old and when was the last time you changed the bulbs? __________________ Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Current Tank Info: 150g with twin FX4 canisters-Jebao 90Wave maker-2 AQUASKY Fluval Lights-AquaMaxx TS-2 Sulfur Denitrator

12/08/2006, 08:41 AM	#3
raycityboy1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Valdosta, GA Posts: 165	Thats what the former owner of my 75 said, she was using no sterilizer, wetdry and only using A=B and she said they were growing out of control. The lights are not even 6 months old. prior to me getting the tank they had not been changed in years. I didn't buy the Xenia or the Green Star Polyps until after the bulb change. I am curious to know how your tank is flourishing without these chems. __________________ Click on the red house or go to: http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91108 Current Tank Info: 150 Gal Reef w/ 55 gal sump and 30 gallon fuge

12/08/2006, 09:00 AM	#4
Lydo Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 121	The chemicals are not necissary. I use nothing at all. Not even calcium. I will add some once I get more corals because right now I have no use for it. I added Exinia 2 weeks ago and it now has 5 or 6 extra branches growing. I have 0 nitrates or nitrites in my tank and it's doing great. __________________ 90g tank with internal coast to coast overflow. Quiet One 4000 HH return pump reeflow dart for Closed loop 3 in sandbed Berlin turbo XL Skimmer 4 48" daylight T5s 2 48" T5 actinics

12/08/2006, 09:05 AM	#5
raycityboy1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Valdosta, GA Posts: 165	I have about 38 species of coral, are those chems really necc.? __________________ Click on the red house or go to: http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91108 Current Tank Info: 150 Gal Reef w/ 55 gal sump and 30 gallon fuge

12/08/2006, 09:13 AM	#6
staticx Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: oregon Posts: 825	No they are not neccasary at all. You should never add anything to your tank that you dont test for. in my opinion that is just rediculous to add that many chemicals hes adding iodine and tons of other stuff jsut a waste of money if you ask me. And after adding all that he cant even keep the easiest stuff seems like a waste

12/08/2006, 09:20 AM	#7
raycityboy1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Valdosta, GA Posts: 165	Thank you so much. I have spent probably about 400.00 in chems in the last 6 months. I thought maybe I was getting duped by the lfs. I haven't many choices because hes the only one within 100 miles that knows what he is talking about. When I got the 75 reef and the owner said she never used anything, I started mimicking that in her tank to test the theory of chemicals. Some things did well, some didn't. I am just glad I got to talk to someone with experience not using chems. __________________ Click on the red house or go to: http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91108 Current Tank Info: 150 Gal Reef w/ 55 gal sump and 30 gallon fuge

12/08/2006, 09:27 AM	#8
techigirl78 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 1,739	Don't add the chemicals if you are not testing. Most elements are replaced easily by regular water changes - fresh salt makeup water contains many of them. This in particular applies to Iodine as staticx said. What are your nitrates? What is your PH and aklinity? How stable is your PH throughout the day and night? There is also no reason to add stress coat to a main tank. IMO, it is a waste of money. Also, with the light, I'd probably switch to 2 daylights and 1 actinic light versus how you have it setup now. Yes - xenia does well in some peoples tanks and poorly in others. Also, are you buying it locally or having it shipped to you? What species of corals have done well in the tank?

12/08/2006, 09:44 AM	#9
raycityboy1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Valdosta, GA Posts: 165	I will change out the lights today. All my corals are bought locally. my Alk is 12 but will go to 14 in a second if I don't watch it. I thought if your nitrites were yellow, then you have no problem with the nitrates. I will do a test momentarily to check. As far as the ph goes between day and night, I have to check that. below is a list of what I have. Eagle Eye Zoos Extreme Eagle Eye Zoos Tubbs Blue Zoos Red and Orange Zoos Electric Green Zoos with brown fringe Electric Green Zoos with Green fringe Orange and Green Zoos Pink Zoos Pink and Purple Zoos Red People Eater Zoos Hunter Green Zoos with pink dots Green and Purple Zoos Brown buttons with green centers Brown Zoos with green centers Multi color zoos (hard to describe) Brown zoos with either gray or blue centers Green Cloves Green Star Polyps Snake Polyps Yellow Polyps Electric Green Mushrooms Blue Green Mushrooms Red Green Mushrooms Bullseye Mushroom Pink Ricordia Teal Ricordia Green Ricordia Green and yellow Ricordia Leather Green tree leather(I think) Red (looks like brain but cannot confirm its in my pics) Branching Sunflower Green Candy Coral Purple and Green Candy Coral 2 Green Goniopora Peach Montipora Yellow Montipora Green and Red Acopora Gorgonia (I think) And countless purple/green hodge podge ricordia 2 Tridacana Clams __________________ Click on the red house or go to: http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91108 Current Tank Info: 150 Gal Reef w/ 55 gal sump and 30 gallon fuge

12/08/2006, 09:45 AM	#10
AustinVines Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: One guess Posts: 219	I will just amplify whathas been said before. I have a 75 that has been up since May and have had no problems growing gsp and silvery elongata xenia (tan with white stripes in the fingers- the pure white that I have grows slower which is a blessing believe me). I add 2 part and dose limewater and that is it. In the bow with so many different coral species, maybe you are having a bad reaction with the chemical warfare that some soft corals release?

12/08/2006, 09:54 AM	#11
raycityboy1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Valdosta, GA Posts: 165	In the bow with so many different coral species, maybe you are having a bad reaction with the chemical warfare that some soft corals release? That is a posibility b/c space is limited Limewater is Kalkwassar right? __________________ Click on the red house or go to: http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91108 Current Tank Info: 150 Gal Reef w/ 55 gal sump and 30 gallon fuge

12/08/2006, 10:01 AM	#12
cristhiam Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Groveland, FL Posts: 3,099	Man! that a lot of chemicals, I hope you are testing for it. I have a xenia problem, mine is trying to control it I don't add anything but limewater 24/7 as a top off and fish food. Here is a pic of my old 2+ year old tank. Some times adjust calc and alk using dowflake and baking soda. I would stop dosing for now and just wait and see, adding a lot of different chemicals can unbalance the system IMO. Good luck, sound like you have a very nice tank going on

12/08/2006, 10:04 AM	#13
raycityboy1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Valdosta, GA Posts: 165	see now, your tank looks like my 75 did when the former owner had it and all she was using was A=B. Its settled then, No more chemicals, and I just spent 30.00 in chem yesterday. I will start relying on tests. Thank you so much everyone for all your input. Now I can save that money I was spendig on chems and buy more coral. lol __________________ Click on the red house or go to: http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91108 Current Tank Info: 150 Gal Reef w/ 55 gal sump and 30 gallon fuge

12/08/2006, 10:08 AM	#14
cristhiam Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Groveland, FL Posts: 3,099	yes limewater is kalkwrassar you can use pickling lime, a lot cheaper than buying kalk at the pet store. __________________ 2 yellows tail damsels, yellow watchman goby, tail spot blennie, purple pseudocromis, starry blennie, 2 clowns, 1 black clown, mandarine & Yellow tang Current Tank Info: 125 AGA, 3 40W 6500K, 3 110W URI Actinics, running on 2 IceCaps 660, CSS125

12/08/2006, 10:20 AM	#15
raycityboy1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Valdosta, GA Posts: 165	Wow!! __________________ Click on the red house or go to: http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91108 Current Tank Info: 150 Gal Reef w/ 55 gal sump and 30 gallon fuge

12/08/2006, 10:56 AM	#16
Lydo Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 121	Man you were right about not being able to control xenia. Man your tank is full of it! By the way, it's looks awsome! Great work. __________________ 90g tank with internal coast to coast overflow. Quiet One 4000 HH return pump reeflow dart for Closed loop 3 in sandbed Berlin turbo XL Skimmer 4 48" daylight T5s 2 48" T5 actinics

12/08/2006, 11:47 AM	#17
cristhiam Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Groveland, FL Posts: 3,099	Now it's taking over my 125!! __________________ 2 yellows tail damsels, yellow watchman goby, tail spot blennie, purple pseudocromis, starry blennie, 2 clowns, 1 black clown, mandarine & Yellow tang Current Tank Info: 125 AGA, 3 40W 6500K, 3 110W URI Actinics, running on 2 IceCaps 660, CSS125

12/08/2006, 12:00 PM	#18
supertech3 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: El Paso Posts: 1,206	Nice tank cristhiam! I agree with the others, I bought many test kits to check for what needs to be added and with weekly small water changes there is hardly any need for a bunch of additives.