Pulsing Xenia questions (and cyano)

I recently received a few pulsing xenia cuttings from a friend at work who has a saltwater tank in their office (my tank conditions are still not great, but he was trimming up his xenia and offered me some of the chunks with the logic of if I can keep them alive, awesome, if not, at least they were free!).  I like them quite a bit, once I got over the initial frustration of trying to put them in a place only to have them 'flail' and go wherever they wanted (since they were just cuttings and not attached to any live rock), I improvised a few ways to secure down the more stubborn chunks.  I had a couple concerns about them after reading up.  We have an emerald crab and I suspect he might have nipped at one of the exposed bases after a chunk flailed out of the hole I placed it in.  Has anyone had issues with this at all? Also, I've read conflicting reports on if the xenia require iodine supplements, does anyone have an opinion on this matter?  They seem quite happy right now, I'd like to try and keep them that way (One was a bit sulky after I managed to trap it in one place, but has grudgingly opened up fully and is pulsing nicely) /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Also, I seem to be battling a bit of a cyano problem.  I know it's not uncommon for newer tanks to have some issues with cyano, and I'm trying to battle it but I have a few questions.  I've cut back on my feedings for the last few weeks, as I'm sure that we were overfeeding a bit.  I was trying to work with flow issues, but I'm having issues getting a decent flow built up around the surface of the sand without getting snowdrifts kicked up.  I think it's mainly because of the built in flow being at the top of the biocube makes it difficult to get flow along the top of the sand without angling into it a bit rather than along the top of it.  What's a decent reasonably priced powerhead so I can get a less angular current going along the top of my sand? 

 

Sorry I'm in a hurry but I'll answer the question about the iodine supplement. First, it isn't a good idea to add any supplement unless you test its level in your system. It can be overdosed and we wouldn't want that ;-0) Because xenia can and usually does, overgrow in a tank I don't think I would supplement iodine even if I tested for it. Xenia is neat to watch it pulsing and waving in the current but many people look at it as being a pest/nuisance. You may want to isolate it to one rock...but it will spread even on the tank walls, sandbed...you get the idea. Sorry, got to run...good luck! :=0)

 

I kept xenia for a couple years - I never gave it any supplements and it does spread like wildfire. It is neat to watch it pulse and other than keeping it from spreading everywhere, it is very low maintenance. For the cyano, how old is you tank? Making sure you are feeding the right amount and changing the flow should help...