flow or no flow for xenia

[thomasp123]

I would like to collect as much info as people know on how to keep xenia. I have heard that it is a weed and I have heard from others that they could never get it to grow. Some say high flow others say little flow. So To flow or not ot flow that is the question. Any other comments regarding this creature would also be appreciated.

Tom

[gs89]

Hi, this is my first port on here and I only have 2 years of experience but Xenia was my first coral and I have good luck with it growing like a weed as you said. I have always been told "Moderate" flow is best. So not so much flow that it is on its side but more than being in a dead spot. Mine sways back and forth with the alternating current at an angle similar to a V. I try and put my xenia in an area where flow is also going upwards and it spreads like wildfire.

I hope that gives you at least a little help. I feel confident this is a good answer but if one of the more experienced reefkeepers thinks this advice is wrong please jump in.

[laf-reef]

gs89 is right on in my opinion.... I have had great success with xenia in moderate to heavy flow

[plateboy3293]

I really don't think it matters on how much flow they get as long a s they get flow. I had a koralia 3 pointed directly at it and it was fine I also had the powerheads of for about a week by accident and I did not see any diference they just pulsed which was much cooler but I now use indirect flow.

[havingfunin08]

Moderate flow

[KarlBob]

Xenia seem to be hit or miss in any given tank. As far as I know, nobody has pinned down the X factor that makes them flourish in one tank, but die in another. All I know is that I've seen them growing directly in the stream of a strong closed-loop return, whipping around but growing steadily. I've also seen them in dead spots, happily pulsing away. Weird little critters.

[SNAKEMANVET]

It took me 3 years to be able to keep it alive,now it grows like a weed.I think they prefer bright light/mhs and moderate flow. hth