Something is going on with my xenia!?

What are your water parameters? Xenia will sometimes melt away for no apparent reason. I would cut mine every month or so and it would keep growing that way. Your tank could be low on Iodine but that really depends on how often you do water changes.

I don't realy test anything, I do quarter water changes twice a week though. The tank is the one I won at the MWRF so it isn't too old, the rock and sand came from a previous tank we had set up and before that someone else owned. As for a full picture, I have one posted on my topic "My New Tank Red Sea Max". As for an update, the xenia does appear to be desolving, but only the base on the rock. Also, my stag looks like a real stag horn when they are loosing their fuzz. Is that normal? Other than that everything seems fine, we have had a case of cyan bacteria, but it was a small break out and we took care of it right away with extra cleaning and bigger water changes.

Unfortunately, it may be too late to save the Xenia, but quick action should save everything else.

As a review I have posted my original queries followed by the answers in color coded status
"Yes, what are the Alk and Ca levels? No idea
"Post a full tank pic please. The old tank was on the verge
"Age of tank? Just recently moved all at once
"Where did the LR and LS come from? Previous tank
"Algae in the tank? Unknown

I can see from the pics that the old tank was experiencing difficulties that could have resulted in Xenia problems at any time. Then everything was stirred up and moved. You have a situation that occurs just the same as if it was a brand new tank. The biofiltration has been greatly disturbed and it's possible that nothing has been done to avoid the "cycle".

What can be done?
Right now, the best thing would be to turn on all lights 24/7.

Is there Macroalgae in the Sump/Refugium? If so, take some of it and place it high up on the rock in the display. If not, get some today, and/or immediately go to Walmart or the nearest LFS and get some of the liquid Ammonia Remover.
- Add a half dose per the instructions.
- Don't do any water changes.
- Allow all algae to grow 24/7 to purify the water.
- Don't scrape the glass. That algae is purifying the water.
- Let the algae eat up the pollution.
- Check the Alk and Ca as soon as possible and let us know the numbers so we can advise.
After a few days, post a pic and describe what is happening in the tank.

If you notice, I have said nothing about checking N levels. Nitrogen is pollution. We know there is too much pollution in the tank. The coral are telling us that. The most important thing right now is to reduce the pollution. We don't need to know the N levels but if it makes you feel better and you have the test kits, feel free to test and post the numbers.

Edited by Mark Peterson - November 23 2010 at 9:33am