How to frag Xenia?

ken6217 · #1 02/21/2007, 08:58 AM

I have a blue pulsating xenia that is growing like a weed. How do I frag it so that I do not damage it. Can it be cut with a razor blade? Is there any risk of damage or infection at the point of where I cut?

Thanks,
Ken

Rockitmakr · #2 02/21/2007, 10:13 AM

In MOST Cases, Xenia is easy to frag. Just use a sharp object to cut the Xenia at the base of the stock, then use a rubberband and a small piece of rubble from your tank. Tie them together and place them back in your tank for a day or two. The frag will attach to the rubble after a couple of days, remove the rubberband and viola, Xenia frag!

sir_dudeguy · #3 02/21/2007, 10:28 AM

ya thats probably the easiest way to do it. Altho dont get the rubber band too tight. I've done that and it cuts through the xenia. Wether thats bad or not, thats your own opinion since you'll end up w/2 of them. I have also used the toothpick method for them, but personally i think thats more work than is needed for just xenia lol. I just throw it in a low flow spot (or in one of those containers that can hang on the side of the tank) with some rubble and it will attach very fast.

ken6217 · #4 02/21/2007, 11:03 AM

Thanks. At some places I may need to cut a branch from the body. What happens to this "tissue" on the body? Will it just heal or will it get some kind of bacterial infection?
Ken

Rockitmakr · #5 02/21/2007, 11:10 AM

Usually heals quickly & comes back for more.

ken6217 · #6 02/21/2007, 11:32 AM

Great!

Fiore · #7 02/22/2007, 12:27 PM

I'd love to know how you're keeping your blues as mine are dying quick. We acclimated them for a couple hours and we have reds that do well in the tank already.

Do you think they are just hit n miss?

Just giving flow and Marvin Gaye.

Thanks.

ken6217 · #8 02/22/2007, 12:38 PM

Hi.
I really can't give you an answer since I don't know. I have my tank set up about 4 months now, and they are growing great. I can tell you about my tank and maybe that might help, even thought they may grow well under other conditions.

My tank is 90 gallons with a lot of light and a lot of flow. I have two 250 watt HQI (10,000k) and two 54 watt T5, two Tunze Turbelle streams. The xenia are at the top of the tank. There are not a lot of nutrients in the water. Phosphate and nitrate show almost no color using Salifert. I have a calcium reactor and my alk is usually at 10-11 dkh and calcium is at about 415ppm.
Ken

sir_dudeguy · #9 02/22/2007, 03:06 PM

the blue xenia is harder to keep for one. That and they're even worse shippers than regular xenia, so shipping probably didnt help it. IMO blue xenia is too expensive anyways

sambo123 · #10 02/22/2007, 06:47 PM

got a Pic?

sir_dudeguy · #11 02/22/2007, 09:22 PM

Quote:

got a Pic?

does who have a pic of what?

sambo123 · #12 02/23/2007, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sir_dudeguy
does who have a pic of what?

of the blue xenia that is growing so well in ken6217 's tank

naka · #13 02/23/2007, 05:19 PM

I have mine middle w/ med random flow in my tank for little over 2 months now. I was very skeptical about getting it b/c of poor survival rate in nutrient poor systems. However, it has been doing well in my tank. Still pretty slow grower IMO. No direct feeding, no iodine dosing, just leaving it alone under 250de 10k's and 54w T5 supplement lights.

12/28/06

1/30/07

2/18/07

55semireef · #14 02/23/2007, 09:13 PM

Nice pictures.

sambo123 · #15 02/24/2007, 12:29 PM

nice love the last pic

ken6217 · #16 02/25/2007, 10:28 AM

This is a picture that I took on 2/8. If I get a chance later, I will take and post another pic and show you the difference.

http://www.pbase.com/ken6217/image/74130417

Ken