Xenia wall

Gellisjr1 · Dec 9, 2024

Has anyone purposely done either a whole back or side wall of Xenia? I've seen walls done with GSP and I think it looks great but was thinking about a Wall of pulsing Xenia could be pretty cool. I've like the coral but have been a little bit gun shy of how aggressive it's growth can be. But if it can be managed to a back wall I would think it would be cool to have that waving & pulsing motion in the background. What kind d of growth pattern does it have? Would I locate it center mass on the back wall and plate out in all directions or place on the bottom and grow upwards? Thoughts? If you've done this and have a photo i would like to see them.

Gumbies R Us · Dec 9, 2024

I've seen some people keep it on their back walls before. It's not as common as GSP, though. Hopefully, others will chime in on their experiences of keeping xenia!

Seancj · Dec 9, 2024

I think xenia is a beautiful coral and I really love tanks with lots of it interspersed throughout the tank. I think a wall of xenia would look great! I'm trying to get it grow in between all of my anemones, but its slow in my tank.

ravila101 · Dec 9, 2024

Check out inappropriate reefer on YouTube he has a 17 gallon mangrove tank with a Xenia wall

Tahoe61 · Dec 9, 2024

It's an awesome coral, but it can not be contained if you put it on a side panel, or back. It takes a lot of devotion to managing it. At one point I did GSP, they even grew on the overflows and flow nozzles.
A strange thing about Xenia is that it can be difficult in some tanks.
Containing on a rock is your best bet.

Fish Fan · Dec 21, 2024

Tahoe61 said:
It's an awesome coral, but it can not be contained if you put it on a side panel, or back. It takes a lot of devotion to managing it. At one point I did GSP, they even grew on the overflows and flow nozzles.
A strange thing about Xenia is that it can be difficult in some tanks.
Containing on a rock is your best bet.

I admit, I like pulsing Xenia too (gasp!). Does containing it on a rock really keep it in check, or can it "magically" work its way to other parts of the tank anyway? Thank you for your help!

Idech · Dec 21, 2024

I had lots of Xenia and it kept my nitrates down. But they will take over no matter how hard you try to contain them so I got rid of them when I upgraded my tank.

littlefishy · Dec 21, 2024

It works its way up a wall and crowds to the top, then pieces detach and drift around looking for virgin land.

Fish Fan · Dec 21, 2024

Idech said:
I had lots of Xenia and it kept my nitrates down. But they will take over no matter how hard you try to contain them so I got rid of them when I upgraded my tank.

littlefishy said:
It works its way up a wall and crowds to the top, then pieces detach and drift around looking for virgin land.

Yep, that's what I thought. Thanks guys!

mpatterson42 · Dec 21, 2024

Not mine but giant walls of xenia look awesome.

Fish Fan · Dec 21, 2024

mpatterson42 said:
Not mine but giant walls of xenia look awesome.

I mean, to me that looks like less of a well contained wall, and more a case of the Xenia overtaking the tank :)

Patx · Dec 21, 2024

I glue the plug on a magfloat. (to be able to change their place if necessary) they tend to rise.
so at the bottom is preferable. once a good portion is filled.
those at the bottom will be taller (search for light) and those at the top shorter...

the problem with Xenia is that they can come off and go conquer other territories...
I wouldn't do that in a main tank... never.

I had to remove the rock in the center to tear them off.
I don't see how i could manage in another "normal" tank.

Gellisjr1 · Dec 21, 2024

I've got a 20 Gallon tall nano that i am thinking about doing this with. I also want a bunch of softies in there as well. Will the Xenia be kept in check by the softies stinging them for space? I really wouldn't mind them over taking the tank as long as the other corals will help keep them at bay

Fish Fan · Dec 21, 2024

Gellisjr1 said:
I've got a 20 Gallon tall nano that i am thinking about doing this with. I also want a bunch of softies in there as well. Will the Xenia be kept in check by the softies stinging them for space? I really wouldn't mind them over taking the tank as long as the other corals will help keep them at bay

Hello from the Rochester/Canandaigua area!

I think mostly the Xenia will blow over just about any other coral, softies or otherwise, from what I've read, assuming the conditions make the Xenia "happy".

Fish Fan · Dec 21, 2024

Question friends: I am planning a 150 gallon display, and toying with the idea of a 40 gallon display 'fuge that would be plumbed into the main 150. I had thought *maybe* I could put some Xenia in the 40 'fuge, but don't want it to get into my main display. Does anyone think this is possible, or will the Xenia find their way from my fuge to the display?

Thanks for all the help here! I really do like Xenia, I'm just terrified to add it to any of my tanks lol!

Patx · Dec 21, 2024

Gellisjr1 said:
I've got a 20 Gallon tall nano that i am thinking about doing this with. I also want a bunch of softies in there as well. Will the Xenia be kept in check by the softies stinging them for space? I really wouldn't mind them over taking the tank as long as the other corals will help keep them at bay

for my part I can say that the gsp has the advantage when it meets the Xenia.
the polyps of the xenia shrink vs the gsp. I have no other softies...

Patx · Dec 21, 2024

Fish Fan said:
Question friends: I am planning a 150 gallon display, and toying with the idea of a 40 gallon display 'fuge that would be plumbed into the main 150. I had thought *maybe* I could put some Xenia in the 40 'fuge, but don't want it to get into my main display. Does anyone think this is possible, or will the Xenia find their way from my fuge to the display?

Thanks for all the help here! I really do like Xenia, I'm just terrified to add it to any of my tanks lol!

Filter sock... 2years... 0 Xenia in DT
Also "mesh" in baffle