|
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 9:13:27 AM
Posts: 1,566,
Visits: 6,831
|
|
i have some nice pink, very pulsy, Xenia that i want to propagate for fun and profit. right now they are in my main system and i periodically harvest some to trade to the LFS.
i want to do more to propagate them.
i have two thoughts about the way to go about this. set up a separate tank connected to the main display OR set up a totally separate system.
which would be better?
if a separate system. how to filter and how to feed them? i know they don't eat in the normal sense of coral eating.
it seems easier to just connect to the main system, less maintenance, less equipment.
if a separate system it could be a stopover point for water from the main systems waterchanges before being dumped to the sewer system. would that be good or bad?
------------------------------------
Carl-
We are all stardust
Sun powered reef
|
|
|
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 10:58:28 AM
Posts: 1,049,
Visits: 3,976
|
|
| Hi Carl: I would recommend setting up a separate tank connected to the main system. This would automatically give you more water volume which is always a good thing. As far as propagation, you could simply scrape a few polyps off of the main colony & attach them to new rock in the other system. This is very easy to do & if you search in Anthony's fav links I'm sure that you can find a link that shows you how to do this. As far as feeding them, Xenia have a very poorly developed digestive apparatus. As far as I know, they rely heavily on their concentration of zoox & get most of their nutrients via tissue diffusion. So, no worries there. HTH & good luck raising them!  Steve
|
|
|
|
|
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 11/4/2009 7:08:25 PM
Posts: 4,164,
Visits: 2,687
|
|
| my vote is for a completely seperate system with shallow water and bright daylight (40 watt shoplights with plant bulbs are fine... CRI over 90 if you cannt get PAR readings) Xenia is nearly fully autotrophic. No feeding organismally required whatsoever.
. Anthony Calfo
|
|
|
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 9:13:27 AM
Posts: 1,566,
Visits: 6,831
|
|
i do have a PAR meter, also different lights to choose from, four foot 8 bulb 54 watt , 250 watt or 400 watt halides, 3 foot 2 bulb 96 watt power compacts.
if no feeding what kind of filtration? sand bed, live rock, carbon, skimmer?
i have some of the clones in different lighting. the ones right under the 250 halides are very compact with very thick stalks. the ones in another tank 24 inches under the T5's are thin and stretching for the light.
that is interesting that a bare system so to speak would be better than downstream in a full tank with it's filtration and dissolved organics.
------------------------------------
Carl-
We are all stardust
Sun powered reef
|
|
|
|
|
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 11/4/2009 7:08:25 PM
Posts: 4,164,
Visits: 2,687
|
|
| and downstream as a weakly aggressive coral suffering the effects of allelopathy from who knows what. Monocultures are always best bro. Sponge filtration will br fine for inert biomedia (versus live rock pests, predators and competitors)
. Anthony Calfo
|
|
|
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 9:13:27 AM
Posts: 1,566,
Visits: 6,831
|
|
as far as lighting i could also put a tank outside here in west los angeles. we rarely get even 90 degree days and i could chill if needed. what kind of shade would be required for my little experiment? what PAR values would be ideal?
PS- i am getting close to starting my tank build, many thanks to you for answering all my questions patiently, concisely, and brilliantly. you have been a great mentor and i owe you a huge debt of gratitude.
i would like to start a thread here on MDF of my build. where should i start it?
------------------------------------
Carl-
We are all stardust
Sun powered reef
|
|
|
|
|
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 11/4/2009 7:08:25 PM
Posts: 4,164,
Visits: 2,687
|
|
| light values are somewhat subjective when species will flourish over a somewhat wide range. My advice is for you to measure the light of the thriving captive seed colony you use and start there. Then, allow more light over time to see if that does not spur growth. Thanks for your kind words about the tank build too, my friend  Please feel welcome to start your new thread in this forum if you like.
. Anthony Calfo
|
|
|
|