what makes the pulsing Xenia PULSE?

[lilrobb]

So I traded a fairly large colony of Xenia for one of my dry rocks. In the donor's tank the Xenia was wide open and pulsing nicely about every 3 seconds.
I transferred the rock into my sump and while now fully open for 2+ weeks - absolutely ZERO pulsing motion.
I can't wrap my mind around why!

A noob explanation would be that the donor's tank is having much better water and less nutrient causing the Xenia to pulse for maximum water exposure.
My water being a lot "dirtier" would allow it to get its nutrients without any movement and therefor 'savin' some energy...

Thoughts?

 

[atmercure]

While on the discussion of this, how do you get rid of some. Mine is taking over. I can get it off the overflow but unsure about removing it from live rock. Any ideas?

 

[johnr2604]

Too much flow? It seems to pulse more in lower flow

 

[lilrobb]

About the same, sump isn't very high flow...

 

[moebious]

My xenia doesn't do much most of the time but when i turn the pump off during feeding it starts to pulse a lot more.

 

[ruscar]

how do you get rid of some. Mine is taking over.
+1 I can cut it off the rock, but, any rim-nets left soon regrows.
As to why or what causes them to pulse, from everything I have read, no one really knows.

 

[brianjfinn]

Scientists are unsure exactly why Xenia pulses, but the most prominent theory is that they are doing it for gas exchange related to waste expulsion.

To those asking about getting rid of it, try starting another thread, not jacking someone else's. But, to answer that as well, you can pull Xenia off of pretty much anything, but you'll never get rid of all of it unless you nuke it with Joe's Juice or Kalk Paste. I'm having the same problem and just haven't taken the time to do it.

 

[tgray3]

I've always heard that no one really knows why although some speculate that the the pumping may be a way of expelling waste and/or feeding. I've also read some people think the amount of pulsing is related to the tanks ALK levels. All I know is that when i put it in my tank it to about 4 months for it to start. The pulsing doesn't seem to change on it regardless of the flow either, although it's hard to see it pulse when it's getting blasted by a K3. Maybe just let it be for a few weeks/months and see what happens.

 

[brianjfinn]

tgray3;534894 wrote: I've always heard that no one really knows why although some speculate that the the pumping may be a way of expelling waste and/or feeding. I've also read some people think the amount of pulsing is related to the tanks ALK levels. All I know is that when i put it in my tank it to about 4 months for it to start. The pulsing doesn't seem to change on it regardless of the flow either, although it's hard to see it pulse when it's getting blasted by a K3. Maybe just let it be for a few weeks/months and see what happens.

Yeah, this is dead on from what I've read. Although IME I haven't noticed a correlation to the ALK levels. I do think the lack of pulsing has to do with stress, however. It doesn't mean they're in danger, necessarily, but probably just a little unhappy from the move.

 

[atmercure]

not trying to jack the mans thread. didnt know it got that personal. was actually gonna post and saw the discussion on it. mine pulses like crazy and grows all over too. give some away if i can remove it. i gotta a garden of the stuff

 

[smoothie]

 

[smallblock]

atmercure;534867 wrote: While on the discussion of this, how do you get rid of some. Mine is taking over. I can get it off the overflow but unsure about removing it from live rock. Any ideas?

Chocolate starfish like to eat em

 

[myvwrock]

Any body want to give me some .....

 

[brianjfinn]

Smoothie;534905 wrote: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-02/ac/feature/index.php">http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-02/ac/feature/index.php</a>[/QUOTE]

I had not seen that article. Very nice!

 

[misu]

in full current it seems like it's not pulsing that much and polyps are starting to shrink, not expanding much either.

I was reading here it's ph that's related to the pulsation too

 

[atmercure]

Ha. No doubt. Add a brew for that matter.

Thanks for the info