how to move xenia

[ZAX]

I have a pulsing xenia attached to a rock at the front of the tank which is getting big. Like to move it to the back. Can easily break off a piece of the rock, but don't really want to. Can it be cut off close to the rock without killing it? Or is it better to just chissel the rock a little?

 

[iantower]

You can't kill them lol
Well you can, but its hard.
you can cut it off at the base to move it, reattaching is hard though.
What I would do if you want to keep it is one of three things.
One: like you mentioned chisel off the piece and put it were you want
Two: Move the whole rock and lean it against the other rock and they will attach then you can cut them from one of the rocks
Three: Slice them off and pinch them in somewhere and if the current doesn't take them they will attach, they are hard to elastic/glue(damn near impossible)/string they shrink up to much and are too slippery.
If you cut them off at the base and don't want it to just regrow where you cut it then you have to rub off all skin left behind because a new frag will start in the same spot.

Good luck, I love these things but they do grow like weeds.

Cheers!

 

[ZAX]

Thanxs for info ian.... good to know that is i leave skin behind it will regrow... think i'll try to move it tomorrrow...haven't yet decided on which method i'll use....

 

[Cal_stir]

1) using a small sharp screwdriver, push it into the rock at the base of the xenia and twist and pry gently, sometimes the coraline algae will seperate from the rock and the xenia is removed completely( doesn't always work)
2) dig under the xenia with the screw driver and pry it off, stitch some fishing line thru the base of the xenia and tie it to a piece off rock, you must scrape off every remaining bit if xenia or it will grow back
3) like iantower said, they grow like weeds, good luck.
4) i read that they will only move upward toward the light, so put them high if you don't want them to spread

 

[1Zapped2shy]

If you do not want to move/damage the rock they are on just take a small rock and just push it up a against the main stock down current and the zenia will grow over to it in a few day and then you can move it any where you want too . Any thing that has been in your tank will do for  a new home old shells or what ever. I have done this many times to move or split my zenia.  regards Craig