Couple Questions

Eb0la11 · #1 10-10-2009, 01:22 AM

Hey guys,

just got back from the LFS with a new blue tang, a couple blue/green chromis and a pulsing xenia. I have also got a bag of aragonite sand for my refugium which, up until now, has been bare.

Im wondering a couple things.

Where is a good spot for the xenia? I have a Coralife Aqua Light Pro that is about 28" above the bottom of the tank. This light has 3x 250W MHs and 4x 96W Blue Actinics. Where is a good place for this guy in those parameters?

Also, with the sand, am I ok to add it to the system after washing it or should I slowly introduce it or what? Its brand new in the bag from Golds Aquarium.

Myka · #2 10-10-2009, 01:28 AM

I "always" add sand after the tank has been set up for awhile. This is my process:

Use a Rubbermaid tub
Dump 15lbs dry sand in it
Fill the Rubbermaid with fresh RODI water to cover the sand by 2-3"
Let sit for 30-45 mins stirring it up a few times
Take Rubbermaid outside
Use hose to wash the sand REALLY well, like fill it, swoosh, and dump 15 times or so
Dump out as much of the hose water as possible
Refill with RODI water, swoosh several times, and dump it off
Turn all the pumps off in the tanks
Use a plastic measuring cup (or similar) to scoop one scoop at a time into the tank
Let sit for 30 mins
Turn pumps back on keeping them away for the sand for a week or so

The Xenia would be happy pretty much anywhere (it's a weed!!), but try down near the sand at first so it gets used to the light.

Eb0la11 · #3 10-10-2009, 01:51 AM

The xenia is a weed hey? Wow, it looks so nice and I love its pulsing. So do more advanced aquarists not really like it, or what? I think it looks awesome!

Thanks, by the way, Myka

Binare · #4 10-10-2009, 02:17 AM

Can't speak for most... Buuut xenia looks pretty till it overruns your tanks and you spend a ton of time picking it out of your tank.

Eyford01 · #5 10-10-2009, 02:35 AM

i love my pulsing xenia but it hasnt overgrown anything yet
+1 to what Myka said though cept i rinse mine in the tub not with a hose

Eb0la11 · #6 10-10-2009, 02:40 AM

May as well ask one more thing. I have these little white specks on my glass that upon close inspection resemble spiraling shells. Are these baby snails if you could guess? Anyone with a similar experience?