Debating on tearing down my DT :(

[ThunderGoose]

Make sure you get the RIGHT kind of peppermint shrimp. IME the ones from Florida do best. You can order from KP Aquatics to make sure you get Florida Peppermints. But it sounds like the nudi are a good option. I would be concerned about the emerald crab. I don't know from experience but they are opportunistic feeders.

Good luck, take your time and let us know how it goes!

 

[fishybizzness]

I would definitely try another filefish. They aren't all aptasia eaters but when you find one that does eat them they are very effective. I had about 20-30 in my tank and added a filefish and they were all gone in a week. Haven't seen any since, it's been about 7 months.

 

[drawman]

I think both the filefish and emerald crab (in particular) could be opportunistic towards the berghia. Now will they take them out completely like the wrasse and/or peppermints will I would hope not. Berghia will work and for the first month or two don't lose hope - check the tank at night and after many weeks you should see them.

As you said before it may be best to place some in your overflow first.

Also, keep in mind after the berghia remove most of the aiptasia they die off and eventually aiptasia will come back. You may want to try to reproduce them for later rounds or just buy again.

 

[menglish]

Here is another option.
Did you consider these;
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/red-...-QElt6a01Qhb_bqGP0mcMw_b6f9LZEbRoCABYQAvD_BwE
Copperband Butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus)?

 

[Myk Verified Sponsor]

Start with the basics. Water quality. Much like nuisance algae, these will grow like wild fire if they have a lot of excess nutrient to work with. Start there to slow them down and then they wont be able to grow faster than a natural predator can consume them.

 

[minus9]

You're on the right track by adding more berghia. Make sure you remove any shrimp (and you can move the emerald to the sump until the berghia's do their job) and any potential predators from the DT. I would stop using any mechanical and chemical method for removal of aiptasia (this only causes more problems and more likely, more aiptasia). Like others have stated, it will probably take months for them to completely consume the aiptasia. The key is to make sure their eggs survive and that they are not preyed upon.
If there's water in the overflow, the berghia will go in there and consume the aiptasia, but it may require some help on your end. If possible, when the berghia have eaten all of the aiptasia in the DT, (if you can) slow down the return flow, while increasing the flow inside of the DT, this will allow the berghia to pass safely into the overflow and eat the remaining aiptasia. Of course, this may not be an option, but if there's a way to safely slow down the flow in that area, the berghia have a better chance at getting to the aiptasia than you. Just a thought. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[pharazon]

Looks like someone’s been slacking, no reason for a tank to get like this except plain laziness. Maybe best to just tear it down ond sell everything?

Perhaps providing details of your personal maintenance regimen would be more helpful? Pictures of your aiptasia-free reef might even inspire OP to be more disciplined in her own practices, if that is indeed the problem.

 

[Fourstars]

THe OP know's how to run a tank, It's obvious by her pictures. Plus, all this has been discussed a billion times here and elsewhere.. Yes, I have a clean tank but see no need to hijack the thread. I'll stick with my original post.

 

[TinyChocobo]

Looks like someone’s been slacking, no reason for a tank to get like this except plain laziness. Maybe best to just tear it down ond sell everything?

If you don't have anything nice to say, find another thread to post in.

 

[Fourstars]

The truth is not always nice, But okay.;Muted

 

[minus9]

Aiptasia numbers don't necessarily reflect good or bad maintenance habits. They multiply when they have an abundant food source or when you try to kill them and don't remove all of the living material. If a tiny bit of live flesh is left behind, it will survive and grow. Also, when stressed, they will divide and multiply, which is why using mechanical or chemical means results in more aiptasia. You have to completely dissolve all of the living material in order to be successful with killing them. Foutstars, I get where you are coming from, but I don't think this is the case for the OP. This isn't "why isn't my tang doing well in my 20 gallon tank" situation, it's the unique biology of a pest anemone. The truth is their amazing survivability.

 

[Fourstars]

Aiptasia numbers don't necessarily reflect good or bad maintenance habits. They multiply when they have an abundant food source or when you try to kill them and don't remove all of the living material. If a tiny bit of live flesh is left behind, it will survive and grow. Also, when stressed, they will divide and multiply, which is why using mechanical or chemical means results in more aiptasia. You have to completely dissolve all of the living material in order to be successful with killing them. Foutstars, I get where you are coming from, but I don't think this is the case for the OP. This isn't "why isn't my tang doing well in my 20 gallon tank" situation, it's the unique biology of a pest anemone. The truth is their amazing survivability.

Very true, I understand the battle. That's why you can't let them get ahead of your maintenance with manuel removal, peppermint shrimp, and if necessary berghia nudibranch. One of the easier pests to control., although they are always there, but only controlled. Oh, I forgot, I promised to shut up. I'll wait for a few minutes for the next thread. PLEASE HELP! I'M INFESTED WITH AIPTASIA!

 

[gcrawford]

Very true, I understand the battle. That's why you can't let them get ahead of your maintenance with manuel removal, peppermint shrimp, and if necessary berghia nudibranch. One of the easier pests to control., although they are always there, but only controlled. Oh, I forgot, I promised to shut up. I'll wait for a few minutes for the next thread. PLEASE HELP! I'M INFESTED WITH AIPTASIA!

Who's Manuel and can I hire him to remove my aiptasia? ; )

 

[Fourstars]

Darn, And I'm past my edit window.

 

[skiergd011013]

I would just use the aiptasia as an excuse to buy a high powered laser, and fry them all. A lot easier than switching tanks.

 

[Fourstars]

Your one of those laser guys. I would think that if I was getting fried by a laser I'd spit out all my spawn. Haven't you found that you just get more and more spread throughout the tanks? ?

 

[Caravanshaka]

Looks like someone’s been slacking, no reason for a tank to get like this except plain laziness. Maybe best to just tear it down ond sell everything?

The truth is not always nice, But okay.;Muted

You are the one that is telling the fat person to stop exercising cause it's "too late, they are already fat" aren't you? OP clearly tried many attempts at removal: Majano Wand, Kalk Paste, Peppermint shrimp, Berghias, etc. They haven't worked, which is what got her to this point of asking for any other options. It wasn't neglect...there are much more productive ways to respond to this situation.

OP, I've had the best luck with peppermint shrimp. The benefit with them over the Berghia is that once the aiptasia are gone, they also eat plenty of other foods so they can be kept in the tank in case any decide to pop up in the future. Agree with another poster that a juvenile one is a good bet!

 

[Fourstars]

I don't think I called the lady fat? That would be rude. I apologize if my observation offended anyone here! I wish the OP the best of luck!

 

[Caravanshaka]

I don't think I called the lady fat? That would be rude. I apologize if my observation offended anyone here! I wish the OP the best of luck!

No, it was a metaphor for how you handled the situation. You told a person who is attempting to fix something that they were just lazy and should quit. Appreciate the apology, and your productive input is always welcome.

 

[Coley]

Berghia will do the job. You just have to get enough of them. Don’t worry about your wrasse,he will be sleeping when Bergies are working. Speaking from my experience only. Good luck and don’t tear down please!