Is this a good idea?

jdloftness · May 19, 2022

My tank has had an explosion of aiptasia and I can't seem to keep up with it using AiptasiaX. I want to purchase a filefish (since I've had success with them in the past), but they destroyed all of my acans in the past. Since I have several new small colonies of acans, I need to protect them while ridding my tank of aiptasia.

This is my solution. I've drilled numerous holes and the plastic is reef tank safe (except I need to remove the rubber seal first). Will my acans get enough flow? Will the plastic have a negative impact on the light that reaches them? Since I haven't purchased the filefish yet, I still have time to abandon this idea. Thoughts and opinions?

blaxsun · May 19, 2022

This will probably work really well. Worst-case, just add a small wavemaker and direct it towards the container. I wouldn't necessarily worry about the plastic lid too much as the filefish present the bigger hazard.

Jedi1199 · May 19, 2022

That is actually a very good idea. I'd run with it!!

jdloftness · May 19, 2022

blaxsun said:
This will probably work really well. Worst-case, just add a small wavemaker and direct it towards the container. I wouldn't necessarily worry about the plastic lid too much as the filefish present the bigger hazard.

I didn't mean I was worried about the lid itself. There is a rubber seal on the lid that I don't know if it's reef safe, so I plan to remove the seal. I don't need it to be air tight as when storing food. thank you for your reply.

Chortanator · May 19, 2022

Are you able to get peppermint shrimp for your tank instead? They work amazing for aiptasia and won't bother any of your corals

Jedi1199 · May 19, 2022

Chortanator said:
Are you able to get peppermint shrimp for your tank instead? They work amazing for aiptasia and won't bother any of your corals

Peppermint shrimp are hit and miss for aiptasia. If you go that route, I would get 4 or 5 of them.

BTW, how large is your tank?

jdloftness · May 19, 2022

Chortanator said:
Are you able to get peppermint shrimp for your tank instead? They work amazing for aiptasia and won't bother any of your corals

I tried that in the past too, but all I could find was small ones. I purchased them anyway, but never saw them again after introducing them to my tank. I also tried berghia nudis but again, they were so small, I never saw them again after introducing. Do you have a source for large peppermint shrimp?

Chortanator · May 19, 2022

I had 2 in a 55 gallon, only had a few aiptasia but once they were gone the shrimp seemed to starve to death. My LFS usually gets in medium-large ones when they order, but they don't usually do orders unless a lot of people request them.

I'm in Canada, so unfortunately I don't have any sources for the US, if that's where you're located

Dburr1014 · May 19, 2022

Berghia nudibranchs are your best bet.
They only eat aptaisia, that is the only thing on there diet.

jdloftness · May 21, 2022

Dburr1014 said:
Berghia nudibranchs are your best bet.
They only eat aptaisia, that is the only thing on there diet.

From every option I've looked at, I agree, however, I've never been able to find a seller who sells something bigger than a spec. I bought a couple, put them in my tank, and never saw them again. Maybe my aiptasia ate them.

Dburr1014 · May 21, 2022

jdloftness said:
From every option I've looked at, I agree, however, I've never been able to find a seller who sells something bigger than a spec. I bought a couple, put them in my tank, and never saw them again. Maybe my aiptasia ate them.

You need to get at least 10. They hunt in packs. they grow quickly and multiply always laying eggs.