Flow requirements - pulsing xenia

[Playdope]

What kind of current do Pulsing xenia do well in?

Call me crazy, but when i cut my flow off to do a water change, the xenia seemed to be pulsing better, but I thought they liked good flow? When I turned the flow back on, the xenia closed up really small and tight.

Thanks

 

[Fatal Morgana]

Sudden change in flow and water parameter will irrate the Xenia, that's why it close up when you turn the flow back on after water change.

You are not crazy

FWIW, Xenia will pulse well in moderate flow. Too much, it will move around like toilet paper under tree (Halloween time!) in windy night. Too little, and it won't get enough O2 to pulse well (Xenia is very good oxygen indicator.)

 

[Playdope]

Haha, I didn't realize I posted both messages on this forum. I frequent another forum as well, and I intended to post the other there.

Anyway, as for the current issue with the Xenia... it did look better IMO with slightly less current. As long as it is pulsing, can I assume it's happy? If so, I may relocate it to an area with less current.

Thanks

 

[Fatal Morgana]

>...As long as it is pulsing, can I assume it's happy?

The least you can said is that it is still alive

I would say leave it alone unless you really want to move it to the new spot. IME, the more you move a Xenia, the more likely its going to confuse you where is a better spot. They act like 2 years olds.

 

[Playdope]

I moved it last night, and it pulsing great today in a new spot. Plus now I also have a spot for some gsp's to take over. Two islands for 2 weeds

Thanks for your help

 

[Fastmarc]

FWIW, once put into my tank, my xenias moved straight to the output of a powerhead located near it and never moved. This location also has it receiving flow from a more powerful powerhead some distance as well. It then proceeded to multiply.
It whips around like crazy from the flow.
It does pulse, but it's kinda dificult to see from all that movement. When the pumps are off for feeding, it can be seen.

 

[Anonymous]

When I used to frag xenia I kept them under moderate flow. Just enough that you could still see them pulsing.

 

[blastermqn]

Same here. Xenia sem to do best when there's just enough water current to push the main stalks around.

Too much current and they don't thrive. Too little and they'll die off.