xenia dying 1st coral after cycle

[jdubya]

Hey all - my cycle finished last week, everything tested 0, I did a 20% water change. I put in a frag of xenia that my friend gave me to see how it would do, it was doing well up until 2 days ago when it seems to be starting to die off slowly. First the little piece on the left went, now the right one in the picture, the biggest parts are doing ok but seems like just a matter of time.

pH around 8, ammonia/nitrite 0's, nitrates between 0-5ppm.

I have clownfish and CUC also in the tank, seem to all be doing fine.

 

[eggplantparrot]

What Lighting?

 

[jdubya]

What Lighting?

Running xr15 at 35% intensity around 16.5k on spectrum (was at 40%, dialed it back a couple days ago)

 

[Jr'sReef]

Xenia’s seem to be hit or miss. Some tanks they thrive some they melt away. Can’t seem to get them to thrive in my established mixed reef. But have heard they like dirty water.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

Xenia’s seem to be hit or miss. Some tanks they thrive some they melt away. Can’t seem to get them to thrive in my established mixed reef. But have heard they like dirty water.

When I had Xenia in the past they seemed to thrive when I let my tank go a little bit. I think your tank is too clean.

 

[jdubya]

Xenia’s seem to be hit or miss. Some tanks they thrive some they melt away. Can’t seem to get them to thrive in my established mixed reef. But have heard they like dirty water.

yeah that seems to be consensus from poking around other threads and forums. i wanted to pick up some other corals like euphyllia/mushrooms/zoas, would you recommend holding off awhile though or is xenia just finicky..

 

[Jr'sReef]

From looking at the rock itself I’d say hold off until your rocks reach a nice dark mature color. This will tell you that the bacteria has colonized the rocks well and that your tank is maturing. This will also allow your tank to be able to handle and control random spikes in the tank more appropriately which will be better for your corals. I say hold off a bit

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Tester corals.
It’s true. Sometimes they just don’t do well , Esp in Clean new tanks.

Any other coral?

 

[jdubya]

Tester corals.
It’s true. Sometimes they just don’t do well , Esp in Clean new tanks.

Any other coral?

No other coral yet, wanted to pick some up but seems like tanks not ready? though people mentioned tank might be too clean, i feel like that's a good thing for most corals?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Besides no3 and Po4 , there are a lot of other processes going on too.

When folks ask what’s a good starter coral , I don’t default to Xenia and softies. Those obviously are myths.
I reccomend the cheap corals.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

yeah that seems to be consensus from poking around other threads and forums. i wanted to pick up some other corals like euphyllia/mushrooms/zoas, would you recommend holding off awhile though or is xenia just finicky..

Honestly I would wait, I personally am upgrading my reef to 150G cube which will be fish ready by Jan 1 (hoping) but I won’t transfer my coral until March. I want to let everything stabilize first.

 

[Drewe]

I've had Xenia die overnight for no discernible reason overnight, and it's always the small little bits on frags. I bought a much larger stalk of it, about 3 inches tall with 2 branches and drip acclimated it and it has been fine for months.

 

[KrisReef]

I wonder if that coral might benefit from a freshwater dip?

 

[Drewe]

I wonder if that coral might benefit from a freshwater dip?

I definitely wouldn't dip an already super stressed animal

 

[Dual40IM]

Be careful putting them in any tank. They will take over. If you do put them in once the tank matures, put them on there own separate rock. Don't ask me how I know, I learned the hard way.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

Be careful putting them in any tank. They will take over. If you do put them in once the tank matures, put them on there own separate rock. Don't ask me how I know, I learned the hard way.

I agree! Been there done that.

 

[Drewe]

Be careful putting them in any tank. They will take over. If you do put them in once the tank matures, put them on there own separate rock. Don't ask me how I know, I learned the hard way.

Yup! So true. I have it in my tank but I'm very diligent about keeping it trimmed and in a super low flow area away from everything else. I like all the movement it provides but you've gotta keep it in check.

 

[MnFish1]

Hey all - my cycle finished last week, everything tested 0, I did a 20% water change. I put in a frag of xenia that my friend gave me to see how it would do, it was doing well up until 2 days ago when it seems to be starting to die off slowly. First the little piece on the left went, now the right one in the picture, the biggest parts are doing ok but seems like just a matter of time.

pH around 8, ammonia/nitrite 0's, nitrates between 0-5ppm.

I have clownfish and CUC also in the tank, seem to all be doing fine.

First - I've had Xenia do that - and be fine in a couple days. Second - the other piece looks pretty good. Hard to believe there is something 'in the water' or the 'lighting' with them that close.

 

[MnFish1]

I wonder if that coral might benefit from a freshwater dip?

I dont think any coral benefits from a freshwater dip that I've heard of.. unless its a known worm of other infection - and even then - wouldn't ever do it

 

[reef lover]

I think i would wait i like to have corraline growing first before i add coral...