Aiptasia control

almostdiva · 01-08-2003, 01:49 PM

OK dudes (and ettes) who have been doing this lots longer than I have.... what's your remedy for these little buggers???

I have several teeny-tiny ones on one large clump of LR, and pulled a smaller clump of rock out the other night and scrapped a biggie off. I also have some clinging to the front glass panel of the tank. Not terribly attractive..

I have seen/read about using copperband butterflies, but I only have a 55G (w a 20L 'fuge/sump), so I'm not sure that's a good choice space-wise. MtnDewMan -- you have one, right (and he's a cutie... )? What does he eat in YOUR tank (certainly not aiptasia!). How long have you had him? Other suggestions include bergia nudibranches from Inland Aquatics or squirting the little monsters with high-test kalk.

Thanks much in advance...

Rebecca

Steve · 01-08-2003, 03:19 PM

I like this stuff:
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...=STOP-APTAS6OZ

Sometimes you have to use it quite a few times to get rid of the stupid things. One thing that helps is anytime you use a liquid (stop aiptasia, kalk, hot water, etc) is to turn off the pumps so the liquid doesn't get carried away in the current. Leave it off for around 10 minutes. The stop aiptasia says it is reef safe. I have never lost any major creatures/critters from using it, but if it comes in contact with a worm or pod they just start freaking out like they have been sprayed by poison. They don't die though. My goofy sailfin tang follows me around in the tank. He likes to eat the stuff!

**kevinpo** · 01-08-2003, 03:46 PM

Peppermint shrimp are also a good bet. There are at least 3 species of them imported so they're not 100%. I've had about 90% success with them. They are easy to catch and trade back to the LFS if they fail to do the job. I usually get 3 at a time.

HTH,
Kevin

rlp · 01-08-2003, 06:08 PM

I had great succes with peppermint shrimp irradicating small ones. Also have had success kalking the big ones. Rita

fishguy_8 · 01-09-2003, 02:39 AM

I had these guys in the masssssssssessss......get them out before they have a chance to start multiplying.....i tried to play catch up w/ 4 peps' in a 20g and they couldnt make a dent.....i eventually said to heck w/ it and donated the lr to my school (eastern illinois university) and the rock is used as a display for animal diversity for the cnidarian portions of the class.....i had a few rogue aptasias sneak in on some live rock and if u blast them w/ scalding hot water several times they'll die......like i said dont let them rest for a minute or youll be fighting a losing battle. good luck.
Jon

Chris Lakies · 01-10-2003, 12:30 PM

Copper Band (fish) or Peppermint shrimp?

01-08-2003, 01:49 PM	#1
almostdiva Mayor Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 972	Aiptasia control OK dudes (and ettes) who have been doing this lots longer than I have.... what's your remedy for these little buggers??? I have several teeny-tiny ones on one large clump of LR, and pulled a smaller clump of rock out the other night and scrapped a biggie off. I also have some clinging to the front glass panel of the tank. Not terribly attractive.. I have seen/read about using copperband butterflies, but I only have a 55G (w a 20L 'fuge/sump), so I'm not sure that's a good choice space-wise. MtnDewMan -- you have one, right (and he's a cutie... )? What does he eat in YOUR tank (certainly not aiptasia!). How long have you had him? Other suggestions include bergia nudibranches from Inland Aquatics or squirting the little monsters with high-test kalk. Thanks much in advance... Rebecca

01-08-2003, 03:19 PM	#2
Steve Council Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: DeForest, WI, USA Posts: 259	I like this stuff: http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...=STOP-APTAS6OZ Sometimes you have to use it quite a few times to get rid of the stupid things. One thing that helps is anytime you use a liquid (stop aiptasia, kalk, hot water, etc) is to turn off the pumps so the liquid doesn't get carried away in the current. Leave it off for around 10 minutes. The stop aiptasia says it is reef safe. I have never lost any major creatures/critters from using it, but if it comes in contact with a worm or pod they just start freaking out like they have been sprayed by poison. They don't die though. My goofy sailfin tang follows me around in the tank. He likes to eat the stuff! __________________ Wisconsin Reef Society Member

01-08-2003, 03:46 PM	#3
kevinpo Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Spokane Valley WA Posts: 2,460	Peppermint shrimp are also a good bet. There are at least 3 species of them imported so they're not 100%. I've had about 90% success with them. They are easy to catch and trade back to the LFS if they fail to do the job. I usually get 3 at a time. HTH, Kevin __________________ SPSguy On - On

01-10-2003, 12:30 PM	#6
Chris Lakies Council Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Utica Mi. Posts: 270	Which is better? Copper Band (fish) or Peppermint shrimp?

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01-08-2003, 06:08 PM	#4
rlp Just Moved In Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Va. Posts: 13	I had great succes with peppermint shrimp irradicating small ones. Also have had success kalking the big ones. Rita

01-09-2003, 02:39 AM	#5
fishguy_8 Governor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,205	I had these guys in the masssssssssessss......get them out before they have a chance to start multiplying.....i tried to play catch up w/ 4 peps' in a 20g and they couldnt make a dent.....i eventually said to heck w/ it and donated the lr to my school (eastern illinois university) and the rock is used as a display for animal diversity for the cnidarian portions of the class.....i had a few rogue aptasias sneak in on some live rock and if u blast them w/ scalding hot water several times they'll die......like i said dont let them rest for a minute or youll be fighting a losing battle. good luck. Jon

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