Aiptasia run

[JDP]

Can I eliminate aiptasia by putting rock in total darkness?

We are in the process of moving and I want to take back control with the new placement of the system. I have room to set up Brute cans and move water through them (with the rock) connected to the system. The rock has life that I would like to keep if possible, just sponge, beneficial worms, etc...no coral?
May need to start with new rock?

Thanks in advance!

 

[KJ]

Aiptasia - AppyAppy, Glass Anemone

Suitability: Remove Them!

Diet: Zooxanthellate, Dissolved Nutrients, Particulate Matter.

Remarks: Read More!

Darkness don't work for Aiptasia .

 

[Harold Green]

Peppermint shrimp have always worked well for me and you can often find them for $4 each online.

 

[twilliard]

I had peppers tear up chalices so beware !

 

[Squadir]

have you ever had an issue with peppermints munching on your softies?? (if any)

 

[twilliard]

No just my chalices and had to take the peppers out due to it.
It was crazy one morning I noticed more than HALF of a chalice frag gone.. what the heck!
Stayed up that night and sure enough the 2 peppers I had was having dinner!

 

[Harold Green]

I've never had any issue with the peppermints but every animal is different so you always take a chance with any addition to an established tank. A lot of it may come down to if the shrimp are getting enough to eat or if the chalice was deteriorating. I've had monti caps die and hermit crabs gang up and clean them to the skeleton in a couple of hours while not bothering any other caps in the tank.

 

[eja99]

I would say yes - you likely could kill aptasia with total darkness. When they got into my overflow they never grew down where it was completely dark and the ones about half way down were pale and unhealthy looking.

That said, I got rid of them with berghias. They eliminated all the aptasia in my tank.

 

[WindeyD]

I had a pair of peps a few years ago and picked up a frogspawn; one of the shrimp proceeded to start aggressively eating it. Took me about an hour to catch the little buggers and get them out of my display.

 

[Cleo642]

Matted filefish will eat them, and certain type of nudibranch. This nudibranch, their only food is aipstasia. Once your aipstasia is gone, you will have to find another hobbyist who had an aiptasia problem or it will starve.

 

[JDP]

Thanks for all the thoughts. I had forgotten about berghia. I will isolate the rock and start with the berghia and darkness. All other parts I will be cleaning (soaking) with acetic acid.

 

[Cleo642]

Thanks for all the thoughts. I had forgotten about berghia. I will isolate the rock and start with the berghia and darkness. All other parts I will be cleaning (soaking) with acetic acid.

You have live rock? Wouldn't vinegar kill some of the bacteria? Idk, I am just wondering.

 

[JDP]

No..sorry. I was thinking to use vinegar to clean all parts before re staring the system, as to not reintroduce the aiptasia. The live rock in a sense will be in quarantine. I will have my fish and such in my 40 gal QT until the rock is clean. This will give me time to make some upgrades to the main system.

 

[JDP]

KJ, Thank you for the article!

 

[KJ]

KJ, Thank you for the article!

YW