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Xenia elongation, is it normal?
Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2025 9:15 pm
by beccykit
My Xenia has been stretching way more than usual lately. It's in a 40-gallon tank with moderate flow, 78°F, and I do weekly 10% water changes. Anyone else seen this happen?
Re: Xenia elongation, is it normal?
Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2025 11:05 pm
by petalove
Xenia can get leggy if the light isn't strong enough. What's your PAR rating? Mine did the same thing until I bumped up the intensity. Also, check your nitrates, they're super sensitive to that.
Re: Xenia elongation, is it normal?
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2025 1:03 am
by maple
petalove wrote: ↑Wed Jul 16, 2025 11:05 pm
Xenia can get leggy if the light isn't strong enough. What's your PAR rating? Mine did the same thing until I bumped up the intensity. Also, check your nitrates, they're super sensitive to that.
Yep, seconding the light thing. Mine stretched like crazy under weak LEDs but chilled out after I switched to T5s. Nitrates below 5ppm are ideal for them.
Re: Xenia elongation, is it normal?
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2025 1:25 am
by Slice
Elongation is a stress response. Verify your alkalinity and magnesium levels. Xenia prefers stable params, and fluctuations can trigger unusual growth patterns. Test kits are your best friend here.
Re: Xenia elongation, is it normal?
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2025 1:32 am
by aquamar
Mine did this when I moved the tank. Could be a weird vibe from recent changes? How long has it been stretching? If it's just a phase, might settle down on its own.
Re: Xenia elongation, is it normal?
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2025 2:00 am
by bridget
Slice wrote: ↑Thu Jul 17, 2025 1:25 am
Elongation is a stress response. Verify your alkalinity and magnesium levels. Xenia prefers stable params, and fluctuations can trigger unusual growth patterns. Test kits are your best friend here.
Exactly. Also, check your flow. Too much or too little can mess with their pulsing. Aim for gentle, indirect movement.
Re: Xenia elongation, is it normal?
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2025 3:12 am
by beccykit
Thanks for the tips, everyone. I'll test my nitrates and alkalinity tonight. Lights are AI Primes at 60%, so maybe I'll tweak that too.
Re: Xenia elongation, is it normal?
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2025 4:52 am
by Nebula
Mine went full spaghetti mode once. Turned out my cleanup crew was nibbling on it. Got any hungry hermits or shrimp in there?
Re: Xenia elongation, is it normal?
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2025 6:01 am
by beamnut
I've seen this when phosphates are high. Might wanna run a quick test on those. Xenia's weirdly picky about water quality.
Re: Xenia elongation, is it normal?
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2025 6:18 am
by EmmyJay
Gonna throw in my two cents—sometimes they just do this for no reason. Mine stretched for a week then went back to normal. Tank's been steady for months, no changes.