A different Aptasia question???

newreef8584 · #1 11/14/2007, 12:50 PM

I have a major Aptasia problem in my tank. Due to recent events I have decided that I will tearing down and starting over (Temp issue killed off 60% of livestock). I am presented with a slightly different set of circumstances for getting rid of Aptasia and would like some ideas.

I will be emptying my 120G DT of the rock which is approximately 200+ LB's. At my disposal I have several other smaller tanks to use along with multiple pumps heaters and skimmers. I was wondering if there is a way to kill Aptasia on a large scale without having to boil or dry out the rocks? I have heard people having luck with Kalk past and joes juice. Would it work if I used my 55G and filled it with salt water and the LR and then mixed in a large amount of Kalk? I am trying to save the Coraline on the rocks as they are spectacular and almost completely covered. I am not to worried about the other life as I will keep the large tank running and have several pieces of LR in the sump that have no Aptasia that can be used to help re-seed the LR. I am also planning on using several peppermint shrimp in the DT when LR is removed to clean up any small ones that may be remaining. I have 3 in my sump that go nuts for the stuff.

Any help would be greatly appreciated..

sir_dudeguy · #2 11/14/2007, 01:38 PM

I'd put the rock in the other tanks. What i do for aptasia is just get a syringe and inject them with VERY hot water. They melt away within minutes. Its always worked for me, and the ones i've nuked have never come back. I just get lazy and dont shoot them all up when i see them lol.

skeeter-doc · #3 11/14/2007, 01:40 PM

wow, how much time do you have? I have been cooking live rock covered in Aptasia, and so far it has been working, and I have been kalking the remaining ones I do see, ...

LobsterOfJustice · #4 11/14/2007, 01:47 PM

Put a butterfly (like a raccoon or something similar) in with the rock, then remove the fish when you want to add corals. Honestly, any other options (like dumping in a bunch of kalk) will kill off more than just the aiptasia.

nauticac4 · #5 11/14/2007, 02:30 PM

The problem with a butterfly is that they are kit and miss. I bought a copperband a little bit ago and hasn't touched a single aiptasia. he has however eaten ever featherduster in the tank. Take the shrimp that you have in the sump and throw them in the display. May take a while but if you know they eat it, let them do there job

jay-cee123 · #6 11/14/2007, 05:21 PM

I'm trying just drying it out for a few nights & soaking in fresh water. This will not remove any of your coralline but will kill beneficial bacteria. This is what i heard of doing, but actually just doing this a few days ago, so results are yet known.

acrodave · #7 11/14/2007, 05:30 PM

Berghias is the way to go i had millions of aiptasia and the berghias got rid of all of them.the best part is they are reef safe and die off after all the food is gone

newreef8584 · #8 11/14/2007, 10:43 PM

I have tried the Bergia, 10 in so far and 0 effect. I think they ended up being someones lunch. I am thinking that I can live with the bacteria dying as I have more rock to re-seed with. How long do you think in fresh water to kill them off?

LobsterOfJustice · #9 11/15/2007, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by nauticac4
The problem with a butterfly is that they are kit and miss. I bought a copperband a little bit ago and hasn't touched a single aiptasia. he has however eaten ever featherduster in the tank. Take the shrimp that you have in the sump and throw them in the display. May take a while but if you know they eat it, let them do there job

Thats why I reccomended something like a raccoon. Something that is hit or miss reef safe will also be hit or miss at eating aips. I guarantee you can find a butterfly that will wipe them out. But you will have to take it out before adding coral.