Please Help Me KILL!

Pufferpunk · #1 11/28/2007, 06:36 PM

I have 2 really large aptasia stinging the heck out of my lovely pink cat's paw. I'm on crutches & cant climb up on a stool to get at them. I really need to get rid if them now!

Anyone have murder in their blood?

adamjr · #2 11/28/2007, 07:29 PM

And to think I thought you were a pacifist Jeni. I'm hobbled myself these days in the sense that I'm not supposed to go anywhere I am sure there must be someone close to you that can do it. What about the hubby? Can't you direct him?

Pufferpunk · #3 11/28/2007, 07:42 PM

Hubby has no intrest in my tanks, other than helping out with making & bringing up water.

BrandesFam · #4 11/28/2007, 08:11 PM

Have your man run out to your LFS and buy a couple of peppermint shrimp - they'll make quick work of those buggers.

Pufferpunk · #5 11/28/2007, 08:37 PM

I have put lots of pep shrimp in my tank. I never see them again & the aptasias are still there.

Oblivionis · #6 11/28/2007, 08:55 PM

Jeni, I don't know what kind of hurry you're in but I'm planning on picking up my salt on Saturday. I can help you out with the aptasia.

Pufferpunk · #7 11/28/2007, 09:08 PM

Thanks Paul, Would you have time to help me clean off my bulbs & reflectors? I think I need to take off the canopy to get to these pests & while it's off, those bulbs really need to be cleaned. I also need to frag off the dead part of the coral--it's being attacked by the red turf algae, so no new tissue can grow there. My regular fragging tool isn't strong enough to cut through the piece. I'm sure John has some kind of saw we can use.

BrandesFam · #8 11/28/2007, 09:11 PM

hmmm... its looks like the prey became the preds! lol If I recall, certain butterflys (longnose etc) will make quick work of them, but may go after corals too. There is also a species of nudibranch that eats only aptasia...

Pufferpunk · #9 11/28/2007, 09:13 PM

Never had luck with longnose butterfly either. I finally got one that lived & never touched the pests.

Oblivionis · #10 11/28/2007, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pufferpunk
Thanks Paul, Would you have time to help me clean off my bulbs & reflectors? I think I need to take off the canopy to get to these pests & while it's off, those bulbs really need to be cleaned. I also need to frag off the dead part of the coral--it's being attacked by the red turf algae, so no new tissue can grow there. My regular fragging tool isn't strong enough to cut through the piece. I'm sure John has some kind of saw we can use.

I should have some time Saturday so I'll help you out as much as I can.

Pufferpunk · #11 11/28/2007, 10:43 PM

That would be great! Thanks so much.

MikeD · #12 11/28/2007, 10:48 PM

Are these the same 'monsters' that I saw?? if they're that stuborn, can you ditch the few pieces of rock and replace it with good rock?

Pufferpunk · #13 11/29/2007, 12:24 AM

Yeah, those are the monsters. Attached to a huge piece of table rock. Gottta kill them, there's no other way.

cp3823 · #14 11/29/2007, 12:27 AM

I have great luck with getting some calcium in a syringe and injecting them. Them wilt up and whatever is left my peppermint shrimp eat up.

amaya · #15 11/29/2007, 12:28 AM

hay puffer i can help with your wc if you need call me (773)491-3727read your thread yest.

amaya · #16 11/29/2007, 12:30 AM

and i can kill if you need me too

Pufferpunk · #17 11/29/2007, 12:39 AM

It's not that I need ideas as to how to kill them--I really need hands on from you guys, as I can't climb up the stool/ladder to reach them. I'd like to do it at the same time I have the canopy off to clean the bulbs, so 1 of the 2 fellows stopping by to help this weekend, can help me. I will keep you others in mind for water changes next week, as I do huge weekly WC on my FW tanks.

Thanks for all the offers of help & to those that have already stopped by to help! That's what this club is all about!

eddiebfl · #18 11/29/2007, 02:17 AM

use some Joe's Juice. It worked for me when i had a breakout of 20 or so aptasias

jglackin · #19 11/29/2007, 11:02 AM

Does anybody have any experience with the aptasia eating nudis?

I was talking with the head currator for the Wild Reef at the Shedd and she was telling me that they culture them and use them in some of their tanks. When I make my next run down to Inland Aquatics, I am going to buy a few of them. Right now I am letting my fuge get overrun with aptasia so they have plenty to eat when I add them.

PSam · #20 11/29/2007, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jglackin
Does anybody have any experience with the aptasia eating nudis?

Yep. Have gotten orders from berghia.net and salty underground. they did a fine job, but eventually disappeared (power head, picked on, who knows) and aiptasia eventually return.

Pufferpunk · #21 11/29/2007, 06:27 PM

Hey PSam, how are all your corals doing?

jglackin · #22 11/29/2007, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PSam
Yep. Have gotten orders from berghia.net and salty underground. they did a fine job, but eventually disappeared (power head, picked on, who knows) and aiptasia eventually return.

Inland Aquatics explains this on their web site. The best way to deal with the berghias is NOT to put them in your tank, but to keep them in your fuge. The larvae from the berghia in your fuge will make it into the tank and deal with the aptasia. As they get eaten/die off in the main tank, they are replenished by the breeding pair in the fuge.

Ladipyg · #23 11/29/2007, 08:19 PM

Sorry I can't help Jeni...I'm on one leg too...

Pufferpunk · #24 11/29/2007, 08:23 PM

You can come & keep me company though...