Aptasia problem

flower

flower

Well-Known Member
I have a little in-tank refugium in the 56g. I also have huge peppermint shrimp and no aptasia in the main tank, but the refugium is loaded with it. I used Joes juice a few weeks ago and now I noticed today a few minutes ago, at least 10 on the side of the little fuge I can count.
The only thing in the little fuge are sand, rock and an air tube to move the water. Macroalgae is growing in there too and I seeded the little fuge with pods months ago.
Should I leave it alone and hope the shrimp keeps the stuff out of the main tank...or...should I do something to clean up the little fuge and start fresh?
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
If you can get to it....IMO....I would get rid of it....
I also have peps in my big tank....and found aptasia in the sump....left it alone, and lately I have been finding some in the DT :(
SOOOO....I kill it when I see it....no matter where
OH YEAH....I also have been using the pickling lime.....works just as good as Joes Juice, BUT is a heck of a lot cheaper...I just mix it in the little Joes Juice bottle ;)
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///t/392081/aptasia-problem#post_3479795
If you can get to it....IMO....I would get rid of it....
I also have peps in my big tank....and found aptasia in the sump....left it alone, and lately I have been finding some in the DT :(
SOOOO....I kill it when I see it....no matter where
OH YEAH....I also have been using the pickling lime.....works just as good as Joes Juice, BUT is a heck of a lot cheaper...I just mix it in the little Joes Juice bottle ;)
No way, it's way too much, and down in there to reach...should I remove the fuge, clean it up and reseed it starting from scratch......or....maybe just remove all the rock and not replace it at all, leaving whatever critters that's still in there alive.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
IDK....BUT...IMO...as long as they are in the fuge.....they will get into the DT....
I am too lazy to remove the stuff I can not reach....LOL....SO I only shoot the ones I can get too......I do have a syringe, and I also add a piece of plastic tubing to use as an extension....the white harder plastic kind that comes with your RO tubing
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
I'd see about placing the pep in the fuge for a week or so and not disturb anything to see if it helps. The shrimp is probably keeping the tank in-check anyway so it might appreciate the healthy treats found in the fuge if they're not too large.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/392081/aptasia-problem#post_3479819
I'd see about placing the pep in the fuge for a week or so and not disturb anything to see if it helps. The shrimp is probably keeping the tank in-check anyway so it might appreciate the healthy treats found in the fuge if they're not too large.
LOL..my peppermint shrimp are the size of large skunk cleaners and the fuge is only 12 X 6 X 8...and loaded with rock and sand. so no peps for that little fuge...it was a good idea though.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/392081/aptasia-problem#post_3479822
LOL..my peppermint shrimp are the size of large skunk cleaners and the fuge is only 12 X 6 X 8...and loaded with rock and sand. so no peps for that little fuge...it was a good idea though.
Dang, and I felt like I was on to something there.

I'm not sure that I'd be overly concerned about it though if it's not out of control in the display. I have become convinced that once it's in your system then it is in there for good. Unless you change out ALL bio filtration. These things can grow a whole new body from just a single cell. I say it is what it is. Let the shrimp be happy. Let him have aiptasia for breakfast. :)
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member

Dang, and I felt like I was on to something there. :bw:
I'm not sure that I'd be overly concerned about it though if it's not out of control in the display.  I have become convinced that once it's in your system then it is in there for good.  Unless you change out ALL bio filtration.  These things can grow a whole new body from just a single cell.  I say it is what it is.  Let the shrimp be happy.  Let him have aiptasia for breakfast. :)
+1
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
So just let it grow in there??? I really, really hope nothing ever happens to my peppermint shrimps.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Beghia Nudibranchs. I keep them in my refugium because I have the never ending battle with aiptasia in my system. They will get rid of it, and start breeding and then you can sell them. People are always looking for these guys. I'm actually about to go buy some more because my darn yellow corris wrasse likes to pick off my berghia babies in my main tank.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///t/392081/aptasia-problem#post_3479841
Beghia Nudibranchs. I keep them in my refugium because I have the never ending battle with aiptasia in my system. They will get rid of it, and start breeding and then you can sell them. People are always looking for these guys. I'm actually about to go buy some more because my darn yellow corris wrasse likes to pick off my berghia babies in my main tank.
Wow, I never heard of them before, I looked them up.... They like it hot (78 to 80) so I wouldn't expect them to last long in my horse tanks, but hopfully long enough to get rid of the aptasia in the little fuge. Thanks! I will acclimate them slow like I did with the peps, maybe they will make it.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by scrapman http:///t/392081/aptasia-problem#post_3479858
What is "pickling lime"? Where do buy that? How do you use it to kill Aptasia?
Thanks
Pickling lime is $3 per pound. It's food grade calcium hydroxide. While it isn't as "pure" as actual kalkwasser, many people use it to drip in their tanks to increase both calcium and alkalinity in equal parts. You can buy it at any local grocery store as well as walmart in the canning section. You can mix a strong kalkwasser batch up - 2.5tsp per gallon and add 1/4 cup of vinegar to the mix. Then, use a syringe with a needle on the end to inject the mixture directly into the aiptasia. Don't do more then 4-5 at a time or else you risk increasing your tank's pH too rapidly.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/392081/aptasia-problem#post_3479845
Wow, I never heard of them before, I looked them up.... They like it hot (78 to 80) so I wouldn't expect them to last long in my horse tanks, but hopfully long enough to get rid of the aptasia in the little fuge. Thanks! I will acclimate them slow like I did with the peps, maybe they will make it.
I'm on my way to buy some from a local breeder.
I do know locals that have used them in horse tanks but not sure on the long term success with them. A lot of critters can go to slightly lower temperatures if acclimated correctly. A lot of people in my reef club pass them around as needed because the initial cost is high on them for such a small critter, but they do the job and that's what matters to me.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///t/392081/aptasia-problem#post_3479878
I'm on my way to buy some from a local breeder.
I do know locals that have used them in horse tanks but not sure on the long term success with them. A lot of critters can go to slightly lower temperatures if acclimated correctly. A lot of people in my reef club pass them around as needed because the initial cost is high on them for such a small critter, but they do the job and that's what matters to me.
Most tropical crittes say 72 to 80, but the info on these guys said 78 to 80...my warmest horse tank sits at a cool 73/74 the potbelly tanks sits at 65/66 so that's much lower than the info says they live at. The peppermints seem to be thriving in both tanks, so I have hopes that if I get some of these guys they will be okay.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
I'm fairly certain that I know the site you're looking at, do they call themselves the Aiptasia Experts? The woman (Lisa) who handles most of the orders is extremely helpful. I believe she's the owner as well. You might want to call and speak to her before ordering.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///t/392081/aptasia-problem#post_3479898
I'm fairly certain that I know the site you're looking at, do they call themselves the Aiptasia Experts? The woman (Lisa) who handles most of the orders is extremely helpful. I believe she's the owner as well. You might want to call and speak to her before ordering.
LOL...the Salty-Underground...there is a number to call the "aptasia experts", so I will be giving them a call. I have something like 10 aptasia, those little critters ONLY live on aptasia. So all I need is one I think.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
I have mine in a little critter cage, no flow, nothing. I'm going to breed them. So many people around here are looking for them. The breeder that we just bought there guys from says that he can't breed his fast enough. One would probably be enough. They start out VERY small, but they do their job. It's actually neat to watch them eat the anemone. They suck it in and with each one they grow in size. It takes three decent sized anemones for them to reach full size. I would definitely just call and speak to Lisa, she was a great help to me when I had to order some. We had a shipping issue with FedEx DESTROYING the box they came in and Lisa took care of the situation immediately and gave me different instructions to acclimate the few survivors I had from the first batch.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top