I have some theorys on Xenia, but they are unfounded scientifically, just theorys. Truth is i reaserched Xenia quite a bit because I find them to be one of the coolest corals out there. But you have almost as many people that hate them as love them. Those that hate either cant keep them alive, have them growing too fast or just cant get them to pulse (which is the big reason people love em.)
Ive found that very little flow in my tanks make them pulse the most. The more flow they get, the less they pulse.. thats definetely a constant Ive noticed.
As far as not getting them to pulse. People have tried Iodine supplementation with limited success. Generally speaking I think they lack a certain mineral/element which is hard to accept because even the low cost salts contain pretty much all the necissary vits and mins. But i'f definetly try a large water change (with Ro water of course), with a high quality salt like TM Pro Reef. But i suppose if it was as obvious as that, it wouldnt even be questioned anymore.
But this is probabaly the most skeptical personal feeling on why I have such success with crazy pulsing Xenias. I have a suspect the Mircale Mud mix I use, especially the Walt Smith Fiji mud in my fuge adds some nutrients as well as naturally occuring elements that gets released steadily as critters move across it. I noticed they seem to pulse out of control when I add in a fresh boost. My corals also seem to open up more when it is stirred into the water column. Its odd to see the temporary cloudiness of the water while corals open noticeably wider.
I dunno, its just a theory but I have yet to find someone who uses miracle muds in their systems and be unable to keep xenias and keep the pulsing.
If anyone can personally contradict this theory Id especially like to hear about it. Better yet, if someone CANT keep Xenia, or can keep it but it never pulses, Id actually like to send you some of my mud to see how it responds. Id really like to confirm or discard this theory on Xenia.
-Jay
