Aiptasia 911

[jblasi]

I will start this off with I have probably read every single aiptasia thread I could find on here. All with the same similar solutions which all have had some matters of failure or success. I have delt with this problem before in older tanks but never to this extent this fast.
I have an SPS dominant tank that it thriving very well and recently in the last few months developed a small aiptasia problem. Started with methods I have used in the past that seemed to work. First it was Aiptasia-X, then I purchased 4 peppermints. The problem started moving into the sump where they were much more difficult to attack. I have tried bergiah’s but they have all seems to have disappeared in the rock and no visible signs of progress. They have only been in the tank a week so maybe I am not being patient enough. However, I lifted up the cover on my overflow this morning and it looks like a shag carpet:mad:. They are becoming out of control very fast! this is where I am pretty much begging for input from my fellow reefers.

I have considered file fish or Copperbands, but I have seen so much back and forth on where they are safe and the last thing I want is for them to be picking at all my acros. I am trying to not think of that last resort we all know of as the “B” word. If I was to pull the sump, drain it and physically clean the whole thing, do you think it would mess with the bio load of the tank?
Any input is greatly appreciated, I feel like I have tried almost every option out there.

 

[Chrille26]

Hey! Im fairly fresh in this hobby so there are many on this forum with more experience handling aiptasia, especially bigger outbreaks, but thought I could atleast share what I have learned this far by scanning this forum for the magical solution to this pest.
I have managed to handle the onces I have seen popping up with boiling water and lemonjuice.
In your case with such a large outbreak I would recommend attacking from several angles. If your tank is big enough for a Aiptasia eating fish then go for it, and maby rehouse it when the Aiptasia is under control if it gets a taste for other corals. Worst case senario maby its worth loose some polyps to get the Aiptasia under control?
Otherwise just try to stay ontop of it and keep killing removing the ones you see.
Also Brs got some good tips in this video!

 

[Mike N]

I've tried literally everything in my 3 year war against aiptasia.

Aiptasia X - fail (spreads it faster)
Peppermint shrimp - fail
Cobberband butterfly - fail
Filefish - fail
The only success I have had is by using Berghia nudibranches. Something in my tank seems to eat them so they never reproduce in numbers capable of taking care of the aiptasia. Not to mention they are very expensive.

F-Aiptasia does seem to work much better than aiptasia X, but it causes other problems, like ALK spikes, etc.

 

[Darsh]

I just recently got rid of over 100 Aiptasia in 2 days. I saw a listing from a nearby reefer who had a filefish that cleaned his tank of Aiptasia. I collected it and in 2 days they were all gone. My advice is if you can get a specific fish or shrimp that is known to eat Aiptasia. Maybe someone nearby or a lfs has an animal who already enjoys the taste

 

[jblasi]

I just recently got rid of over 100 Aiptasia in 2 days. I saw a listing from a nearby reefer who had a filefish that cleaned his tank of Aiptasia. I collected it and in 2 days they were all gone. My advice is if you can get a specific fish or shrimp that is known to eat Aiptasia. Maybe someone nearby or a lfs has an animal who already enjoys the taste

I appreciate the input on fish, but are they actually reef safe? I don’t care about clams and whatnot because the only piece of coral that isn’t SPS is a war paint scolly.

 

[jblasi]

I've tried literally everything in my 3 year war against aiptasia.

Aiptasia X - fail (spreads it faster)
Peppermint shrimp - fail
Cobberband butterfly - fail
Filefish - fail
The only success I have had is by using Berghia nudibranches. Something in my tank seems to eat them so they never reproduce in numbers capable of taking care of the aiptasia. Not to mention they are very expensive.

F-Aiptasia does seem to work much better than aiptasia X, but it causes other problems, like ALK spikes, etc.

F-Aiptasia does work, I currently have it. But when they are everywhere else but a flat surface it’s super difficult. As I stated before, I do have bergiah’s in the tank, but I only purchased 8. I have 200g volume.... maybe I need to purchase more? As far as price goes that is not a concern considering the coral i have and the value. Thank you for the input, it truly seems like it will be a gamble whatever I do.

 

[Darsh]

I appreciate the input on fish, but are they actually reef safe? I don’t care about clams and whatnot because the only piece of coral that isn’t SPS is a war paint scolly.

There's no guarantee unfortunately
My tank literally only has a bubble tip nem and a torch coral, he hasn't touched either in 10 days of being in there.

 

[jblasi]

Which brings up the next question, majority of the massive population is in the sump and overflow. Will it mess with the bio load to pull the sump, scrub and rinse with vinegar and r/o water?

 

[jblasi]

Has anyone used the wand? That is about the only thing I have not tried.

 

[lapin]

I doubt you will find a reef safe solution besides the nudi's. Bigger the better. Any thing else that eats the soft tasty aiptasia will eat tasty corals.

 

[SkinnyMcGinny]

I have a 300 gallon mixed reef, lots of SPS, and until recently a big and growing aptasia problem. Like many, I tried to hold them at bay manually, with Aptasia X and a few other things, but wasn't very successful, especially when they started growing in hard to reach places... I was losing the war. Plus, anytime I have to stick my hand in the the tank, I'm not happy (and usually break some coral).

My tank consultant (he knows a lot about this hobby) recommend a file fish. He procured one for me, and I will note it was pretty good size (2-3 inches). I watched it for a week and never actually saw it eat any Aptasia. I was a little concerned. Then after a few days I looked in the tank AND THEY WERE ALL GONE!! He ate them all. Haven't seen one since.

In addition, he's a pretty cool little fish: hovers, uses his dorsal and pectoral fins to propel himself like a seahorse, has independent eye movement, and seems perfectly happy to eat mysis shrimp, and has a weird prehistoric look. I like him. I'e never seen him eat any coral, and my APtasia problem is solved! with me doing absolutely NADA! which I love!

In short, I'd say try a filefish. I've had many "failures" in this hobby, he was a home run.

 

[Lithoman]

I finally broke down and tried Aiptasia X, I had 2 in my display tank and a really big on in my sump.
Had the X for a month before finally trying it.. Looks like the two in the display were wiped out but the one in the sump I must have just ticked him off.. I hated killing them as they have been in my tank for months and not spreading..I will let you know if X works or spreads them..I will say is says keep all pumps off for 15mins after applying..but when you turn them back on...poof all the X floats throughout the tank..

 

[jblasi]

I finally broke down and tried Aiptasia X, I had 2 in my display tank and a really big on in my sump.
Had the X for a month before finally trying it.. Looks like the two in the display were wiped out but the one in the sump I must have just ticked him off.. I hated killing them as they have been in my tank for months and not spreading..I will let you know if X works or spreads them..I will say is says keep all pumps off for 15mins after applying..but when you turn them back on...poof all the X floats throughout the tank..

I wouldn’t recommend the X, I have given it the benefit of the doubt on a few occasions and I feel that may be part of the reason I am in this particular Predicament.

 

[jblasi]

I’m going to try more nudi’s. Maybe the 8 that are currently in the tank will kick in.

 

[JustAReefer]

Try filefish or copperband they are voracious Aiptasia eaters but careful as the copper and could start picking at corals

 

[Mike N]

I forgot to mention the laser that I also tried. 4watts for $300 shipped. Works in small ones, big ones shrug it off.
Im in the market for a higher wattage laser for another attempt.

 

[Darsh]

Which brings up the next question, majority of the massive population is in the sump and overflow. Will it mess with the bio load to pull the sump, scrub and rinse with vinegar and r/o water?

It depends what's in your sump. If it's just a glass box with a skimmer then no problem.

 

[Saaqib_Ansari]

Not sure if anyone’s said this or if it’s true but I had a few Aiptasia around my coral in my tank and I used a needle on the end of a syringe and squirted it with lemon juice. Haven’t had any since.
YouTube it

 

[jblasi]

It depends what's in your sump. If it's just a glass box with a skimmer then no problem.

Thank you, I figured as much but it’s always good to ask for second opinions. All the sump contains is equipment.

 

[jblasi]

After hours of research, I have decided to go with a manjano wand for a full on assault! I will let everyone know how this results.