Xenia for nutrient export??

gramma royale · 08-30-2001, 08:58 PM

Hey all,

I was just reading up on xenia when I came over a small article indicating that xenia may actually absorb nutrients in the water. It then went on to explain how xenia might be used as a biological filter. Is this true? Can xenia actually act as a nutrient exporter? If so, is it as good an exporter as caulerpa?

ScottC · 08-30-2001, 10:11 PM

I think the actual amout of nutrients they transport across their oral cavity by the head of the polyp (circulated by the pumping action seen) is nowhere near that of the caulerpa. I don't think the energy produced by xenia's photosynthetic abilities matches those of the caulerpa either.

The symbiant zooxanthallae takes care of the photosynthesis in the xenia, but it also takes some of the product for itself, whereas the caulerpa makes it and uses it all for itself.

I'll finish this thought in a bit...

S

gramma royale · 08-30-2001, 10:25 PM

Thanks for the info. Too bad, I was hopping to kill two birds with one stone: Getting an interesting and beautiful coral while reducing nutrients at the same time

oh well.

David · 08-31-2001, 02:21 AM

Don't recall where I read it (one of the big guys) but I remember xenia being described as a 'detritus feeder'. I have a ton of it my reef, both Red Sea and the brown stuff. Every morning I make "storm" in tank to suspend detritus and xenia seem to go wild. My favorite lfs claims to have customer who has 55 gal full of xenia as "filter" for reef tank. Count me as a believer!

ScottC · 08-31-2001, 08:03 AM

OK, I got some new info after doing a little research (thanks Eric Borneman)

It was widely believed that the pumping acton of xenia was used for nutrient uptake, but later work targeted respiration and gas exchange. "The contraction movement is stronger than the extention, resulting in a net water flow away from the oral disk rather than mere turbulance [in the water column]."

Scott

SurfStone · 07-02-2005, 11:56 PM

garf uses xenia as bed filters in soem of their grow out tanks just my two cents.

08-30-2001, 08:58 PM	#1
gramma royale Tenant Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Concord, CA Posts: 90	Xenia for nutrient export?? Hey all, I was just reading up on xenia when I came over a small article indicating that xenia may actually absorb nutrients in the water. It then went on to explain how xenia might be used as a biological filter. Is this true? Can xenia actually act as a nutrient exporter? If so, is it as good an exporter as caulerpa? __________________ "Therefore in fierce tempest is he coming, in thunder and in earthquake, like a Jove."

08-30-2001, 10:25 PM	#3
gramma royale Tenant Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Concord, CA Posts: 90	Thanks for the info. Too bad, I was hopping to kill two birds with one stone: Getting an interesting and beautiful coral while reducing nutrients at the same time oh well. __________________ "Therefore in fierce tempest is he coming, in thunder and in earthquake, like a Jove."

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08-30-2001, 10:11 PM	#2
ScottC Council Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL Posts: 297	I think the actual amout of nutrients they transport across their oral cavity by the head of the polyp (circulated by the pumping action seen) is nowhere near that of the caulerpa. I don't think the energy produced by xenia's photosynthetic abilities matches those of the caulerpa either. The symbiant zooxanthallae takes care of the photosynthesis in the xenia, but it also takes some of the product for itself, whereas the caulerpa makes it and uses it all for itself. I'll finish this thought in a bit... S

08-31-2001, 02:21 AM	#4
David Citizen Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: San Diego Posts: 210	Don't recall where I read it (one of the big guys) but I remember xenia being described as a 'detritus feeder'. I have a ton of it my reef, both Red Sea and the brown stuff. Every morning I make "storm" in tank to suspend detritus and xenia seem to go wild. My favorite lfs claims to have customer who has 55 gal full of xenia as "filter" for reef tank. Count me as a believer!

08-31-2001, 08:03 AM	#5
ScottC Council Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL Posts: 297	OK, I got some new info after doing a little research (thanks Eric Borneman) It was widely believed that the pumping acton of xenia was used for nutrient uptake, but later work targeted respiration and gas exchange. "The contraction movement is stronger than the extention, resulting in a net water flow away from the oral disk rather than mere turbulance [in the water column]." Scott

07-02-2005, 11:56 PM	#6
SurfStone Tenant Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lakeland, Florida Posts: 58	garf uses xenia as bed filters in soem of their grow out tanks just my two cents.

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