BigAl: I bit the bullet and 2 "Blues" on the way!

[Techno-Vicki]

Yep, I just ordered two cespitularia, blue xenia!! Only 1 place in CA that has them at a reasonable price. I have been looking for about a year and just holding off. It is all Allen's fault. He starting getting me going again about propagating them. Soooo......here we go!!!

On another note; remember when we talked about xenia 'dying off'? Anyone? Well, I was almost believing they do, until I did some more research and thinking. In the last 4 weeks, all of my pink (Fiji xenia) have died in 2 of the 4 tanks I have them in. I thought at first it was the electrical charge in the one tank, but then 2 weeks later, they died in my prop tank. What is the common factor? A rapid decrease in salinity. I went from 1.025-07 to 1.022 in both tanks, just at different times. I have brought up the salinity in my big tank and will be bringing it up in my prop tank later tonight (Jack has to bring home the saltwater from the shop ). Heinz, I know you prefer the lower salinity and I so respect your methods, but I have found for my needs the higher works for me (and my xenia). Any other ideas? also, I thought it very interesting that only the pinks died off, not the elongata. Although there was a die-off of those about 4 months ago (not as severe), now they are big and strong!

Allen, I am very excited about my "baby blues" soon to arrive. This is all your fault!

[lcstorc]

Beautiful.
Interesting note about the salinity. I wonder if that was it.
I know with mine it had to be either flow or lighting since the 2 tanks were connected so they had the same parameters.
I love the way it comes back from nothing. Now that I know it does that I watch for that first little piece to show.

[Techno-Vicki]

My tanks had no connection. They were in different houses and never shared the same water. No connection except for the fast reduction in salinity to my knowledge. I read that xenia prefer it between 1.025 and 1.026. I have always kept mine there until just recently. Just making a connection here. Everything else has not changed, and they are still alive in the tank with the higher salinity. Today, I moved 2 of the pinks into the big tank from the one with them alive. We will see.

[BigAl07]

My fault? Well ok... have them shipped over here and I'll take the "blame"


Can't wait to see them!

Well that's a good point about salinity but I've had individual colonies die within the same tank and the one next to it NOT die. They have always come back and when they do, they are thicker and more aggressive. Not sure HOW to find any "parameter" error in that but in your case I can see where salinity droppping would affect something that prefers Higher Salinity. That may be a reason why mine do so well. I try to maintain 1.026 with 1.024 being my minimum. I've just found the corals I keep thus far prefer it that way.

Keep us posted and tell Jack HOLA!!!

[JFK_Jr]

I can tell you with complete confidence, that a rapid increase in salinity will kill xenia.

I know for sure, because it's happened to me... Twice...

[BigAl07]

JFK how do you account for a "Rapid Increase in Salinity" ? Was it a water change issue ?

[JFK_Jr]

Originally Posted by BigAl07

JFK how do you account for a "Rapid Increase in Salinity" ? Was it a water change issue ?

Unfortunately I was lazy and never bothered to check the accuracy of my refractometer. When I finally realized it was out of calibration and my salinity was low, I increased my salinity from 30 ppt to 35 ppt over the course of 24 hours and my xenia melted away on me... nothing else in my reef was affected.

[BigAl07]

So they like it high but not TOO high. Finicky little rascals aren't they

[JFK_Jr]

Originally Posted by BigAl07

So they like it high but not TOO high. Finicky little rascals aren't they

If I had done it slower they would have adjusted... they don't like sudden change in salinity.

[vdituri]

Interesting.........yah?

Vicki, how fast was your salinity change and how big was the swing?
If you remember.

[Techno-Vicki]

Originally Posted by JFK_Jr

I can tell you with complete confidence, that a rapid increase in salinity will kill xenia.

I know for sure, because it's happened to me... Twice...

Thanks JFK. It really feels like it was the problem, at least for me.

The refractometer was the problem in one tank and mom turning the valve and flooding then adding RO instead of SW in the other tank was the problem there.

Victor: it went from about 1.025/6 to 1.021 in one tank and 1.025 to 1.022 in the other (this one started with the electrical issue - could have contributed as well).

Allen, Allen, Allen, so you think I need to ship them your way? I'll have to get back to you on that one.

[Witfull]

dare i say "iodine suppliment"?

[BigAl07]

Dare you NOT say that Wit


Vicki... YES ship them My way.. once they get acclimated in your tank and start to produce that is.... and take notes on them for me *S*

[Techno-Vicki]

Originally Posted by Witfull

dare i say "iodine suppliment"?

I doubt it, given the amount of water changes we do. They were growing like mad and I was running out of room. Yes, I know some of the old time experts in the area have recommended iodine, but it is not a 'must'. I have grown them for quite a while and never added. With regular water changes, it is not needed. (IMO).

Allen, I will take steller notes We will get those babies going and growing.

[BigAl07]

Originally Posted by Techno-Vicki

I doubt it, given the amount of water changes we do. They were growing like mad and I was running out of room. Yes, I know some of the old time experts in the area have recommended iodine, but it is not a 'must'. I have grown them for quite a while and never added. With regular water changes, it is not needed. (IMO).

Allen, I will take steller notes We will get those babies going and growing.

I hear ya on water changes... I think my wife has the feeling I get a "thrill" out of water changes. She's gotten used to it now though... it's like," Oh a day that ends in "Y"... must be WATER CHANGE day!"