Too many feather dusters!

wen tom

Member
Hi all. I got lovely rock with my set up 8 mo's ago. All kinds of neat things growing. But. . . I now have tons of feather dusters, growing quite large and kinda taking over large amounts of rock. Concerned the corals will not be able to grow as they'd (and I'd) like. Any thoughts? Thanks
 

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Maybe a photo would be nice, so we know exactly what the specimen is...

Usually microfeather dusters have no problems growing in, around and and sometimes on corals. Feather dusters are a sign that your tank is maturing and becoming a little more stable. It's also a sign that there is a lot of useable nutrients in your system.
 

wen tom

Member
Thank you, I wish I could take a pic. but have a dinosaur phone. Tried with my macbook, to no avail. I'll keep trying though. Thanks again for your help.
 

wen tom

Member
Yep, but now I know what they are. (pics all over, even Wickapedia) Now just need to figure out best course.
 

flower

Well-Known Member
Joes Juice, or Aptasia X (without touching it, squirt it right into the OPEN DISC)...Don't try to pry them out or scrub them off the rock...they will release their spores and spread like wildfire if you disturb it at all. Boiling water, and lemon juice I have never had any luck with, other say it works. Peppermint shrimp will eat aptasia, provided you don't over feed your fish, thus giving them other options for food.
 
E

eric b 125

Guest
+1

I've had luck with aiptasia X and joes juice before. I had aiptasia growing in places that I couldn't reach with a pipette so it was a constant battle, but one that was pretty manageable. I would zap the aiptasia, wait for about an hour and then do my water changes.
 

wen tom

Member
Thanks so much. I'm about at my wits end. I think back to when they first started to appear, (week or so after set up) I thought, "cool little living things already!" Didn't even dawn on me they may be unwanted. Thought they were little feather dusters. Well, my tank is completely infested. There are little ones in the sand and even floating around. Couldn't figure out what was killing the corals. Up most of the night last night reading and trying to figure course of action. Thought of breaking down tank, dry out all rock, then I remembered this morn. they're in the sand! I love my fish, they're so happy. Willing to give up reef to keep them as pets but still, don't even know how to go about that. Thank you for all your help. You've been so gracious. Hope all is well with you and your little pieces of indoor ocean.
 
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