Xenia overrunning my tank

[Nexenn]

Hey, I'm planning to add some SPS to my tank which mostly has LPS and other soft corals. My xenia has spread colonies to nearly every piece of live rock in my tank. I want to get all of the xenia on to one rock or effectively be able to prune my xenia. If i chop it off i can never get it all and it grows back anyhow.

Does anyone have any good ideas for pruning or moving xenia? Thanks

[three90s&125sump]

Ca(OH)2... it kills them like aptasia.

[jenglish]

yep^^^^


Also known as kalk or pickling lime. Just make it to a thick paste and slather it on after cutting off excess.

[Loverotties]

I'd frag them and sell them to LFS!I use to do that and trade or get credit for the at LFS.

[three90s&125sump]

Oh yeah good point jeremy and rotties. Cut them off first. Abything left can be burnt off witht the kalk.

[Nexenn]

Ca(CO)2? is that the same stuff as joes juice? should i inject it or just cut off the top and cover it with joes juice?

I've got some anenomes that are broader than atipsias and have green tips and they are spreading through my tank too. I've tried to use joes juice on them but it really doesnt seem to work that well. Is there a trick to use that makes it more effective at killing?

Thanks

[Mr.Peanut]

Here it can be hard to find xenia. Don't know what your area is like but I would see if you could sell or trade it.

I have a question about your set-up.....since xenia can be hit or miss in a tank and yours is obviously a hit, what are your water parameters like?

[jenglish]

Originally Posted by Nexenn

Ca(CO)2? is that the same stuff as joes juice? should i inject it or just cut off the top and cover it with joes juice?

I've got some anenomes that are broader than atipsias and have green tips and they are spreading through my tank too. I've tried to use joes juice on them but it really doesnt seem to work that well. Is there a trick to use that makes it more effective at killing?

Thanks

Most aptasia killers like Joe's are either very acid or very base. If you go to the grocery store get some Mrs. Wage's pickling lime. It is like the rock in driveways crushed up (and food grade purity). The paste works as well as Joe's juice. Well, it can actually work better since you can throw a a ton of it on. Some folks inject it, I just slather it on since I have an unsteady hand and can't get the needle in. You can just layer it over Xenia, but xenia has a lot of soft tissue and will add nutrients like anything dead in a tank will. I would try to frag it off with a razer and then put kalk over the remains.

[Nexenn]

Originally Posted by Mr.Peanut

Here it can be hard to find xenia. Don't know what your area is like but I would see if you could sell or trade it.

I have a question about your set-up.....since xenia can be hit or miss in a tank and yours is obviously a hit, what are your water parameters like?

I'll have to get back with you on that. I have a 90 gallon tank with a 30 gallon sump. I got a small frag from a friend here in Kansas city about 2 years ago. The salinity is 1.022, no ammonia, no nitrites, nitrate around 5ppm. I'm not sure about the alkalinity or calcium right now, I'll check tomorrow because i'd like to know what they are after my move. The xenia always grew like weeds in my tank. I used to pull out about 10 stalks (about a quarter in size each) every two weeks and throw them in the trash. Guess I should take them to a LFS.

[Loverotties]

Ask them 1st.Some do and some places don't.

[fihsboy]

I would frag it all out too, then if you want to keep some....just put it on a island where it can't reach any other rocks. Thats the only way to keep it from spreading. Pickling lime is around 3-4 bucks for a huge jar or it, its MUCH cheaper then joe's juice. I like it a lot better. And your salinity is a little low, but if your having success, w/e

[cutietwo]

what everybody else said