Xenia Refuge for Nutrient export

[dakar]

Read some intersting discussion earlier today about folks setting up a refuge and pupulating it without macro's, but instead LR rubble and Pom Pom Xenia. The claim is that the Xenia have a NO3/NO4 uptake that is up to 20 times higher than most macros.

Alledgedly reports of fantastic growth rates provided cal. and alk levels are maintained, if they are taking up that much NO3/4 I would guess it would work.

Seems logical to some extent, as the only way we can keep from killing them alive is to keep nitrates around 5-10ppm in the display tank.

Not sure it'd be something I'd want to try, I like Xenia just fine but not sure I want a whole fuge full, though if any LFS was to give me a decent credit rate for them it might be worth it.

Anyone else heard of or tried this method?

[Reptoreef]

Yep... I use it and it does work really well, but the downside is increased ca usage. Keeping your levels around 400-425 ca and 9-10 dKH is so key.

[davejnz]

I've been using it for a while now.I'm not ready to believe its 20x more efficient than macro at uptaking nutrients but like all corals,it definately has a nutrient uptake.
Being a fast grower in some systems,it could definately help with export.
I remove about 25-35 colonies every 4-6wks.I dont grow it in the fuge though,I use the display and grow it on the glass where its easier to remove.Seems to grow faster up a vertical plane of glass than on LR.

[Reptoreef]

Yep... my method, too. It adds alot of movement to an sps dominated system, as well.

[graphixx]

you cannot beat xenia for nutrient export in the sump. I have 2 pretty good size colonies in my sump and it grows quicker than my cheato. I love it because my LFS love xenia and I get awesome credit for the stuff. I am actually goiing to trim back the cheato and put another frag on xenia in there. Yep yep yep you cannot go wrong with xenia.

[dakar]

Thanks for the input.

Sounds like an experiment in the works. Been looking for an excuse to replace out my fuge lights anyhows, they are coming up on their annual change anyhows, been wanting to change out the floods for one of those LOA 65w/500w PC worklights.

[peregrinus]

yep been using xeina in my refug for a long time now but also have macro in there as well..

[dakar]

Looky who crawled outta the woodwork, Mr. Xenia himself! Mention the word Xenia and he appears.... do I get three wishes now too?

[peregrinus]

lol rub my lamp and you get 3 wishes.. lol oh wait thats what i told her. oh i hope i don't get banned for that one.. lol i know most people think its a weed but i love the way it moves.

[zoo-a-holic]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I recieved a SINGLE polyp of xenia from my LFS for nothing but it got lost#ed_op#IMG src="http://www.captivereefing.com/richedit/smileys/Sad/10.gif"#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#