can xenias lower nitrates??

[new reefer in michigan]

I was checking out some corals online and I read that the xenia coral can help control nitrates in the tank. Is this true? Also was wondering how hard these are to keep. Since I have not done any corals yet I would like to start with a couple of easier corals. Thanks

 

[chris_h]

It seems xenias either grow like crazy or they die. As for the nitrates, any organism in the aquarium growing like crazy can help lower nitrates. I think clams and algea work better for filtration but xenia would probaly work well also.

 

[Carpentersreef]

I've read here (in the past) that xenia does help lower nitrates, and some people use it as a form of nutrient export, but as with any coral, make sure that you have the highest quality lighting that you can afford, and watch your water quality.
I have xenia from delphinius, another board member, and I give my excess to EmilyB, which she feeds to some of her fish.

But xenia really stinks when you take it out of the water!

Mitch

[ November 25, 2001: Message edited by: Carpentersreef ]</p>

 

[Mabu]

My impression based on personal experience is that Xenia can suck up nitrates, but this may only apply when all other parameters are ideal, and lighting is superlative.

In my case, I think my Jaubert plenum system was breached which caused a partial cascade failure of anerobic bacteria in the tank. The Xenia then started to grow much faster, but I also believe there is a nitrate limit at which this will backfire, so maybe with something like 10-15ppm max, it may spur additional growth, but possibly at the expense of other organisms which have less tolerance for nitrate spikes.

I would not use Xenia to control nitrates, but they may make a useful "safety net", but this would only be helpful if you have (IMO) MH or other high intensity lighting.

 

[reefhope]

Newreeferinmichigan

Based on personal experience I would definitely NOT try xenia as one of first corals as sometimes they crash for reasons not yet known. If you do want to try them I agree with having the best/strongest lighting you can afford.

Regarding their use of nitrate......nothing proven yet, that I know of.

 

[davelin315]

I have tons of xenia in my tank that grow like weeds and my nitrates are undetectable/0. I don't have a DSB, and my live rock is probably not at what most people think you should have. There is no macroalgae in my tank (except as food occasionally) and the only explanation I have come up with for the lack of nitrates is the xenia. I don't know what makes it healthy or not healthy, but it is growing like mad in my tank. Basically, IME, xenia is easy to take care of and does reduce nitrates, but I do know it is sensitive and if your conditions aren't right, it can crash or stop pulsing.

 

[MarkO1]

For what it's worth, my 75 g. tank has only been up for 3 months, my tank but the 3 varieties of Xenia that I added to the tank a little over a month ago have more than doubled in size and are growing like weeds. Aside from 10% W/C every 2 weeks which could be contributing to the lowering of my nitrates, my nitrates have been on a steady, slow decline from 30 ppm to about 18 ppm now.
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[Mouse]

You might want to check out a thread that i found on the GARF website that detailed an experimental Xenia filter. Personally i think Macros would do best for this function as they would add to the zoo & phyto populations, where as the Xenia seems to filter these out. Mind you a Xenia sump would look cool, but thats whay they live in the display tank.

 

[jimmyreef]

I was lucky enough to attend a seminar that Julian sprung hosted at the long beach aquarium. I was asking a different question, but someone else asked him why it is that some people have xenias that crash and others grow them like weeds. His response was that he was not entirely sure, but his best guess would be a bacterial infection that would make the whole colony crash. When I asked what would be the best way to guard against such a disaster, since I have them everywhere in my tank, he mentioned that periodically grazing or cutting back the abundance to limit the number of xenia growing in the tank would the best way. I have, and knock on wood my local pet store will keep buying them from me for store credit.