Xenia dying!!

[SaltyO2]

Hi all. I really need some input on my Xenia. They're shrinking away, some seem to be losing their "hands", and they're not pulsing that I can tell.


Do Xenia not last long? Is there any one thing I should really concentrate on?

I do have some PO4 levlels, and am checking on PH with a different test kit.

My main concern now is temperature. My is rising high in the day. 86-87F in the hottest part of the day. Pumps feel cold in tank. Room temperature is probably why.

I keep the hood and stand open now, and am using a house fan to blow over the wet/dry.


If Xenia are super sensitive to temp, maybe thats why?

everything else seems ok. Mushrooms real pretty, frogspawn bigger everyday, devils hand big and polyps open, Colt, sponge, Brain, Zoo's all seem fine.

Please help

SaltyO2

[JennM]

It's likely the temperature. Xenia doesn't like heat, or fluctuations.

They may not have liked the Prime added to the tank either (per your other thread).

Xenia can melt down if it gets 'upset'...

Jenn

[SaltyO2]

btw, could I be starving these guys?

I feed DT live Phytos maybe twice weekly, 10-15ml each time, added directly to the tank to circulate (I do turn off the return pump, so all the water stays in the main tank for 1/2 hour or so)

75g tank , 15 gal wet/dry, 100 lbs live rock, 60 lbs live sand, large leather, brain, large colt coral, sponge, mushrooms, zoo's.....

And I give my 5 little fish a pinch of flake morning and evening.

Sometimes a little brine or Reef Plus meaty foods.

I can post a pic if needed?

thanks a ton all

Salty

[SaltyO2]

yeah I wont add any more prime. I also told a bottomfeeder to stop adding it too. He's been adding a cap every few days he says. He tank looks ok. But still, if it doesn't have to have it, why...

thanks

[JennM]

Might be overfeeding. I doubt they're starving.

I'd bet it's temperature related.

Do you run carbon? That will help absorb the toxins that any/all of the corals produce due to stress - that kind of heat will cause stress.

Jenn

[SaltyO2]

normally, yes. Im out. ( Im out of alot of stuff, -- friends, money, women, and most of all, luck!!)

gonna get some today or tomorrrow....

over feeding huh?

why? flake or the phytos... the intructions say like 20ml every other day!!! I barely do that in 2 weeks...but almost everything I have (except my sponge) is a Zooathenia (?) life form...so I shouldn't be starving I guess...

thanks

Salty

[JennM]

I'd wean away from flakes and switch to frozen for the fish - a small serving every other day (most recommend blender mush but you can also buy frozen preparations if you aren't into having a smelly blender).

As for phyto - I wouldn't dose it at all, or *very* sparingly.

Jenn

[Tynan Rasmus]

I would say temp as well, or your SG? whats it at? They dont like low SG either, as I found out when mine shrivelled away.

[fish.freak]

i disagree with the overfeeding killing the xenia, but you may be overfeeding.
Xenia likes dirty water and if all the other stuff is doing well i would rule it out too.

Salty O2 get a empty soda bottle and fill it with water. (clean outside of glue) and freeze it. as your tank heats up drop it in and float it on top.
it is called the Po-Man-Chiller, and I used it on my tank this summer.
If you have a small tank use a small bottle. I jused a 1.5 leiter on a 37 gal.

[JennM]

I didn't suggest that overfeeding was killing the Xenia ... I still think it's temperature.

It doesn't like swings, period and too hot = meltdown.

The overfeeding or possibility thereof was an aside

Jenn

[fish.freak]

Originally Posted by JennM

I didn't suggest that overfeeding was killing the Xenia ... I still think it's temperature.

It doesn't like swings, period and too hot = meltdown.

The overfeeding or possibility thereof was an aside

Jenn

there I go taking stuff out of context again

[loubee]

Hello Salty,

I don't think it's the feeding either... my xenia is doing really well & I feed my fish five/six times a day (flake & frozen).

Are you using a refractometer to measure SG?

Lou

[loubee]

Oh sorry Jenn...! Misunderstood!

[zero186]

wow 5 to 6 times thats alot but if done in small amounts keeps them happy for longer i am guessing

[SaltyO2]

doesn't matter anymore. entire setup is for sale.
please see :

http://thereeftank.com/forums/showth...07#post1011607

for details.

Im out

Salty.