Pulsing xenia question

[sn00p123]

Hi guys,
I run a 500g tank dominated mostly by softies and some lps.
I have had blue cespetularia successfully for almost 2 years now and just got my first few frags of pulsing xenia.

Started with 3 stalks of xenia. To increase probability of success I placed 2 in the DT and 1 in the fuge. The 2 in the DT came off the rock in 2 days and I have placed them in the fuge now... these 2 are still droopy and I am not sure they will live. The 1 that was originally placed in the fuge is erect and is beginning to look fluffy and opening up. None are pulsing.

My questions are: Should I leave them all in the fuge? The water flow is definitely on the v low side. Should I leave them here until they fully recover before moving to DT? the fuge receives shaded sunlight throughout the day.

Nitrates are 0. Alk is low at about 7. Ph is 8.4. Ca around 380.

Ive heard a lot of stories of it being like a weed, but I dont mind and would really like for this coral to take off. Is there anything I can do to ensure success? Is it normal to be at day 5 and no pulsing with 2 stalks still not awake?

Thanks.

[sn00p123]

Attached are pics taken from my cell

[desjardinii]

Mine took a week to settle in and expand but it didn't ever dislodge and I can only see it pulsing if I shut off all the pumps in the tank.
I find it likes light, flow and nutrients, perhaps your water's too clean? I feed the fish several times a day and the No3's usually 5-10.
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo200/nickywoop/705cd1f7-b844-4d1a-9d83-002aafbaf2b5.jpg

[RA]

The xenia that came off of the rock really wasn't ready to be sold. When I make up frags of xenia I let them heal and attach to the rock for at least a week before selling them. You bought ones that weren't ready. If you have a low flow area in your DT then I would glue them to a rock and place them back in your DT, they love light.

[sn00p123]

Thank you both for your feedback. Your xenia look beautiful btw.

I agree, the xenia probably was not in the best condition. Unfortunately in the country I live in, we get a very small choice of corals and very rarely.

Regarding glueing them. I have read about the toothpick method but these loose stalks are really quite small and I fear I may damage them further. Is it ok to directly glue them to a rock?

[125mph]

Mine pulse when the waterflow is low or off... they do less pulsing when the flow is high.

and... they are like weeds.. I have to constantly pull them off the rocks oterhwise the whole tank will be overrun. They do fine with or without light, and I can't seem to stop them from spreading.. Even when I pull them off with my pliers, the xenias that are hanging on the rock still will survive and thrive in a few days.

[MARINECRITTERS]

just give it time.

[Ajskennels]

i find attaching frags of xenia to something a lot easier to just get a little basket of some sort and put a bunch of rock rubble in it, put the xenia in the basket of rubble and place in a very low flow area, in about a week it will find a piece to attach to, or rubber band it to a small rock or plug. super glue just dosent really work on xenia in my opinion

[poormansreef]

I'd love to see a huge rock covered in xenia I love those corals :)

[Irishdolphin]

I'd love to see a huge rock covered in xenia I love those corals :)

[poormansreef]

^ awesome

[RA]

Here is some of my xenia. It is much easier to manage if you let it grow on a side wall.

[poormansreef]

i love the logn arms that swing and move with the flow...one of the reasons why i love Xenia.

[captain13]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/album.php?do=editpictures&albumid=7813&pictureids[]=58929
Started out as a single stalk!

[captain13]

http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u572/dirtbag051067/xenia_zps0130bdd6.jpg (http://s1322.photobucket.com/user/dirtbag051067/media/xenia_zps0130bdd6.jpg.html)

[ttboys]

i love the logn arms that swing and move with the flow...one of the reasons why i love Xenia.

+1 I love the motion in my tank , and the color of my xenia is a light violet very pretty

[chefbill]

I'd love to see a huge rock covered in xenia I love those corals :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dnvf4z2EYXo

[salgas]

Just out of curiosity...
What country do you live in?

[Smpco02]

Great easy coral to look at, but horrible when it over takes your tank. No longer keep the stuff.