Trimming Xenia...

[texhorns98]

So I'm about two thirds of the way through a massive tank surgery project. Picking asterinas, killing off the big aptasia that I can see, and trying to trim back this massive speading colony of xenia. A few things...

I was able to pick out a few small rocks across the tank that the xenia had spread to. Took them to a bucket and started peeling them off. Surprisingly, most peeled off like a carpet. Even more surprisingly, xenia STINK!

4 questions, I'm about to go in to the DT and try to trim back stuff off a rock I can't move without major hassle (and probably kicking up too much junk).

1. If I can manage to control the strays that pop off with a net, is there any harm to the tank in the "juice" these guys release?

2. Anyone have any better ideas than the above?

3. Is there any way to keep it from spreading? I'm 99.99% sure, no...but closed mouths don't get fed.

4. Cant I kill it with pickling lime paste?

First Saturday I've had with no wife and no baby, and it's been WONDERFUL! Thanks to anyone who can help out.

 

[the-bubonic-one]

3. Xenia in a tank is a love hate relationship sometimes. I have all but banished my xenia onto the walls of the tank. They are easier to maintain and have a cool look to them. They will slowly climb up the glass if you start at the bottom in a few months. Just simply scrap off the glass when they reach the top with a plastic card or razor, rubberband them to a rock and start over. Like you I got tired of cutting the grass so to say.

 

[frantz]

I have my xenia basically growing on rubble. When it gets too much I just pull away some rubble and I have ready frags! (make sure to replace the rubble). I also read that aggressive coral makes good barriers for xenia. I have placed several LPS around my xenia. Now I try to keep them from getting to the barrier so I haven't tested it out, but the sweepers should keep the xenia penned in, or so the theory goes.

 

[gort]

I wouldnt mind a few pieces of that Xenia. Cant find it much anymore.

 

[texhorns98]

Even when I'm done, I'll still have a TON. I'm hoping I didn't really mess up though. One time I was pulling some off and the xenia popped. A bunch of little white specks floated away. Did I just turn mt whole tank into a xenia farm?

 

[acroholic]

You can eliminate it totally from your system with Fluke Tabs, same way I got rid of my Blue Clove Polyps. But, if you use this method you may not be able to keep xenia, anthelia, or clavularia any more. I can direct you to more info if you want, just shoot me a PM.

 

[texhorns98]

Acroholic;765853 wrote: You can eliminate it totally from your system with Fluke Tabs, same way I got rid of my Blue Clove Polyps. But, if you use this method you may not be able to keep xenia, anthelia, or clavularia any more. I can direct you to more info if you want, just shoot me a PM.

I don't want it totally gone as my wife loves it and my clowns are hosting it. I think I figured out a way to keep it under control though. I'm putting a smaller piece of rock on the only side it could spread (without floating). This way, I can pull that piece and scrape it as needed. The floaters are easy if I keep up with them. It's been well over a year since I've done anything to it!

I kid you not, I have almost 4 full cups of xenia and still a little way to go! I've also picked up a TON of asterina. I stopped counting at 50.