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Does Aiptasia Need Light?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by sblomgren, Jul 4, 2013.

  1. sblomgren

    sblomgren Well-Known ReefKeeper

    424
    Ratings:
    +2 / 0 / -0

    I am fighting a losing battle to aiptasia, and I came up with an idea. What if I would remove my live rock that is covered in aiptasia and put it in the sump? Then I wouldn't kill all the benficial bacteria. Would this kill the aiptasia?





    I am so frustrated by this over run and I am getting desperate. If this doesn't work I am going to begin removing rocks slowly and killiing them, then re-introducing them into the tank.





    Any help would be appreciated.
     
  2. vikubz Well-Known ReefKeeper

    734
    Cedar Falls
    Ratings:
    +8 / 0 / -0
    They do not need light. I have had excellent luck with peppermint shrimp, lysmata wurdemanni. (sp?) How much are you feeding? If you overfeed they will come back as fast as you get rid of them. I have had a couple big aptaisia in my DT for ages, but feed lightly so they haven't spread. There is also an aptaisia eating nudibranch that works well. You might see if someone has one that you can borrow, or swap out live rock with them to feed their nudis.
     
  3. dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    I'm in need of aptasia help too. When you say you feed lightly, can you give an example? What's your tank size and how much stock do you have?
     
  4. blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +738 / 5 / -0
    kalk paste the big ones, then get some peppermints and they should keep anything in check that may pop up.
    I have never been infested with them, but thats what I did when I had several pop up in my tank.
     
  5. dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    Tried that. Burned corals badly and the aptasia returned. Have a few peppermints but they haven't touched them.

    Need a new tactic.
     
  6. sblomgren

    sblomgren Well-Known ReefKeeper

    424
    Ratings:
    +2 / 0 / -0
    Ya. Kalk is not an option. I have thousands.
     
  7. Roman Experienced Reefkeeper

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +321 / 3 / -0
    I can relate to that too. Ready to tear down and start over. Tried peppermints kalk paste majano wand. Anyone up for group buy of berghia's.I think in the summer Salty underground has a special every summer.
     
  8. MXC207 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    634
    Cedar Rapids
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    Aiptasia control in a blue box from fosters and majano wand. Take out any rock you can easily to kill off. Hands down the best way. I got rid of a infestation of probly 4-600 majanos a few years back. Spend a half hour a day every week and youll get em gone in no time. Took me a month or so cause i had so many.
     
  9. MXC207 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    634
    Cedar Rapids
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    Shoot me a txt if ya want and ill get ya set. 319 329 0894
     
  10. Sponge Expert Reefkeeper Vendor

    Marshalltown, IA
    Ratings:
    +233 / 1 / -0
    All they need is water! lol Seriously, I have had 4 major infestations over the years with literally thousands...on the rocks, in the sand, on the branches of torches , etc. and in poylps of zoa's. I have spent countless hours killing them during those infestations. There was a "proven" FileFish donated by a Ds. Ms. member and I have no idea who has it or if it is still alive...you may want to do a post and ask :0) If you do get it, I would still use the suggestions which follow.

    I have tried almost everything except nudi's and peppermint shrimp (can't keep shrimp alive for some reason?!). Here's what worked for me . Be diligent and kill as many as you can at one setting. You must get all of it or it will grow back. Any part of one that gets into the water column spreads them. Turn off all flow--in about 30 minutes they will all be extended looking for food/whatever! Approach in stealth mode as they know you're coming! lol What I found best was a Majano Wand...it literally melts them but you must stick them (with the button depressed as you touch it - as it stuns them) in the center/oral disc or it will immediately release gametes into the water. Melt all of it! Get some Aiptasia-X by Red Sea. I know it's expensive but it works! Using the syringe and one of the applicators, gently drip the solution on their tentacles...they will then swallow the solution and die :0) The solution works for those that are in the sand, loc-line, and other hard to zap places in addition to those on rocks! Make sure you do not turn on the flow for at least 15 minutes after the last application.

    Feed less during an infestation. Don't starve your fish/corals as you gain nothing. Just try to make sure all food is consumed by your livestock. Where possible, move rock to get those on the underside and those on rocks lower. You probably will never ever be aiptasia/majano free but you CAN get them to where you will only need to kill a few every week...when you see a few, kill'em!! Good luck and hang in there!!
     
  11. Andy The Reef Guy

    Andy The Reef Guy Inactive User

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I don't think they even need water sometimes!
     
  12. Armydog

    Armydog Expert Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +738 / 8 / -0
    Get a copper banded butterfly... I had one for 5 years in my reef tank.... no apstasia for a very long time... he never messed with my corals and I mainly have zoas and palys
     
  13. Sponge Expert Reefkeeper Vendor

    Marshalltown, IA
    Ratings:
    +233 / 1 / -0
    How true Andy!/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/hehe.gif I took a few pieces out and let the rock dry for about a week. Thought they died....notice I said "thought"!/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/ermm.gif/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/whistling.gif/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/sick.gif






     
  14. Reefman

    Reefman Inactive User

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I have had it in the past and I injected with Kalk & used a Turkey baster to suck uo the renains.. I did 6-10 a day until I got them gone.... And then routine maint as needed...
     

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