Pulsating Xenia frag.......

Fastlife · 10-02-2005, 05:00 PM

Hello there 3reef , I have a Pulsating xenia frag that is looking for a new home? If anyone interested view my photo gallery. I live in NJ

Birdlady · 10-02-2005, 05:08 PM

Hm...didn't realize you were that close to me! I am right near Philly!

You in North Jersey or South? I have plenty of xenia right now , tho thanks!

Fastlife · 10-02-2005, 05:30 PM

Im in North Jersey, i have alot too. I need to do something with them, so i am trying to sell them. Going to try LFS next......

Birdlady · 10-02-2005, 05:59 PM

Do you know about this club.... http://www.njreefers.org/

Nice folks, from the limited experience I have with them. North Jersey is a bit of a hike from here...sometimes there are folks in the clubs that would love to have the frags

Michaelr5 · 10-02-2005, 06:08 PM

BL I think I am ready to try a coral now that my fuge is setup. 2 questions: Is the xenia a good starter coral? Do you think it would make the trip from NJ to Indiana?

FastLife How much are you asking? ( I will pay freight as well of course)

Mike

Birdlady · 10-02-2005, 09:18 PM

Well, not really a simple answer. Yes, xenia is a nice beginner coral. But no, it probably won't make the trip. Xenia used to be like gold in the marine circles, it was notorious for melting in shipping. The few pieces that got here, did well and now it is very abundant! Once it starts growing, it is like a weed.

I keep all my xenia off of my main display rock because it is nearly impossible to remove it once attached. It may also drop polyps and spread that way (altho I have not had that in my tank). I do love to watch it pulse and sway in the current. One of my favorites

Check with your local aquarium club, you could probably get some for free!

GraviT · 10-03-2005, 10:00 AM

I never had any luck keeping xenia in my tank.

Michaelr5 · 10-03-2005, 11:10 AM

Thanks for the advice BL.

INDMAS is having a meeting in my area this weekend. I think I will go and join up.

Mike

amcarrig · 10-03-2005, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Birdlady

But no, it probably won't make the trip.

I have had success shipping xenia several times and having it arrive 100% alive. Here is what I do (with a disclaimer that what works for me might not work for everyone).

Keep in mind that I do frag the xenia first and attach it to rock before shipping. I would not recommend shipping immediately after fragging:

1. Hold the frag by the rock (or plug) that it's attached to and pull it out of the water. Once the frag stops dripping, dunk it back in the water. Repeat this step 4-5 times. This removes a lot of the slime that the coral produces when it's disturbed.

2. Place frag in the shipping container and seal it well. I like to use Gladware as it's sturdy, cheap and convenient. I tape the bejeezus out of the container to make sure that it doesn't pop open during transport.

If you have more than one frag to ship in the same container, repeat steps 1 and 2 BUT just before you seal the container, dump the tank water that the frags have been sitting in and replace it with "fresh" saltwater from your tank.

I have shipped locally and to Florida and Illinois but tend to only ship corals when the weather is cool. I will not ship during the summer or in the dead of winter so spring and fall are the ideal "temperature" seasons for me

Bruce · 10-03-2005, 06:57 PM

hmmm i have alot...does anyone else have a hard time selling to lfs? they always seem to try to get me to sell a large frag for like $5....is that normal or am i being swindles...i havent sold to them yet but...well ive seen the same size sell for $30 bucks...i havent tried to ship...lol...