Aiptasia issue. Do I have to start over?

kahnsell

kahnsell

Member
Here is a new aiptasia problem... I've read all of the posts regarding how to get rid of aiptasia. However, when I kill them, they come back a week after. To make things worse, I now noticed that there are a bunch of the buggers in my trickle down filter that is attached/part of the aquarium. So my question is... if I want to eliminate this aiptasia issue, do I have to start over in a new tank???
There are aiptasia on almost all of my rock. Ideally, I want a tank without any of these critters. But as long as they are "inside" my actual tank, they will always be able to reproduce... Is there any way to get rid of them at this point, or do I have to get a new tank and start over. I can move all of my clean corals over but, 1 aiptasia always means 100 aiptasias.
Any ideas? Or is this just another excuse to get another tank...
 
fishman830

fishman830

Active Member
hmmmmm i dont think you'll needa neww tank, would you be able to hypo on the rock in a seperate tank(i'm asking)??, if it can live it can die
 
nm reef

nm reef

Active Member
They can be a major pest and the can reproduce very quick...but replacing the system is the most drastic means of control I've ever heard! There are numerous means of removing/controlling aiptasia...try a search here and on-line for info on them. There are a few products on the market that are reported to help in severe cases...and consider some peppermint shrimp...they've always worked in the past for me.
 
kahnsell

kahnsell

Member
I have tried peppermint shrimp, but they do not eat the larger ones, and I think it is questionable how efficient they are in eating the aptasia at all. However, since I now have aptasia "inside" the trickle down part of the tank, it is impossible to reach them there.
I can take out each rock and try to kill them one by one, but unless there is a way to get inside the back corners of the tank and kill the little ones, I will always be battling the things...
I don't really want to set up a new tank, but I honestly think that there is not another viable option. But perhaps someone has a better idea...
 
tsl

tsl

Member
It is a Copperband butterfly fish. It will eat all of it.
One plus that you have in your tank is a continuous supply of food for this fish. In your situation the fish won't be able to get to the ones in the overflow so as the anemones propogate the fish will continually have a food source.
I think getting one is your best bet. This site probably carries it. I would get one if my aiptasia problem was as bad as yours, but the most I ever have are 2 or 3. That isn't enough to support this fish.
 
tsl

tsl

Member
Well, I don't know what he has in his aggressive setup, but if he has no corals in it why would you even worry about these anemones? Depending on what is in that setup, the butterfly might not be a good idea.
The problem is probably in his reef tank. Copperbands are reef safe. They will not eat corals. GARF has done research on this and found them to be completely reef safe.
 
tyr-sog

tyr-sog

Member

Originally posted by karajay
125 aggressive?
175 reef?
A butterfly is a bad idea in either case.

lol, I notice with most of your post most fish are a bad idea for a tank.
 
kahnsell

kahnsell

Member
I would get a butterfly, but I already have established tangs in the reef tank. They would shread a butterfly up.
The cheapest solution would be to buy a bunch of peppermint shrimp, but as I stated earlier, they don't seem to eat enough (or at all) to make a difference... Could I put shrimp in the trickle-down part of the tank where the aptasias are???
The tank I have is a 175 bowfront that has two trickle down areas on the back corners. They each container 5-10 gallons of water, where my pods, tiny featherdusters, and unfortunately, aptasias collect.
I have repeatedly tried the kalk mix and syringe method to kill them (TimEdwards had a great post on killing them...) They just seem to multiply like crazy and I can't make a dent...
I appreciate any help I can get...
 
jbstuart

jbstuart

Member
Only thing I can think is to lower your water level below the overflows, and temporarily go to hang on tank filters (IE: let them dry out). Get the fish, get peppermints in quantity, or take out all your rock, and fresh water soak it. While leaving your corals in the bottom on your aquarium. I know those butterflys are meaner than you would think. I've seen them kill some fish, large damsels mainly, if you get one your best bet is to get a real large one.
Last bet, Get holy "salt" water, and dose those little devils.
Good Luck
Jarod
 
chief26

chief26

Member
i think thats what i am calling flowers ( check my thread-whats growing on my LR) only they are babies and very hard to see. can i remove them now why there are only a couple. with tweezers or something??
 
carini

carini

New Member
cheapest ssolution that worked when i had just a couple was boiled water in a syringe. Get as close to it as you can and dose the little suckers, they practically melt to pieces.
 
travis89

travis89

Active Member
Berghia Nudibranches will eat them and only them. This is how I will be getting rid of my aiptasia problem just waiting for LFS to get some in. The only bad thing is that once the aiptasia is gone you either have to take them back or they die.
 
saltydog

saltydog

Member
Originally Posted by TSL
Well, I don't know what he has in his aggressive setup, but if he has no corals in it why would you even worry about these anemones? Depending on what is in that setup, the butterfly might not be a good idea.
The problem is probably in his reef tank. Copperbands are reef safe. They will not eat corals. GARF has done research on this and found them to be completely reef safe.
Not totally true. I keep a CB in my 90 gal reef. He is my favorite fish and keeps my tank aptasia free. He did take a liking to my large open brain. I had to remove it before he killed it. They will nip at lps corals. So I don't think you can say the are totally reef safe.
-Salty
 
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