My LFS has aptasia. How long should I wait?

[codys21]

I went to my LFS for the first time in a couple months and there was aptasia EVERYWHERE. I couldn't believe. It was even all over their large display tank which has a separate filter system. There was also a fair amount of GHA in some of the tanks. There is only one LFS in my area and I've only been in this hobby for about a year, but this was awful. My wife and I definitely did not purchase anything even though we were planning on it.

So, my question is: what do I do? Do I wait until they take care of the issue (assuming they DO take care of it)? If so, how long after it's visibly gone should I wait to buy anything from them? Is there anything else I can do if I still want to purchase stuff from them and there's still aptasia? I know about buying corals/fish online but the shipping charges are obviously high and I'd rather not, unless I'm buying a lot.

Thanks for the help!
Cody

 

[amazongb]

Depends on what you're looking to buy.. I bought a frag from a larger online seller and noticed aptasia on the plug.. I removed the plug, and mounted to a a new plug. Just be careful..

 

[Musovski]

I wouldnt wait, you can literally just remove the aiptasia prior putting it in your tank.

 

[PDR]

I would find another LFS if possible. I don't like supporting stores that don't practice basic husbandry.

 

[codys21]

I wouldnt wait, you can literally just remove the aiptasia prior putting it in your tank.

What if I don't quite get all of it?

 

[codys21]

I would find another LFS if possible. I don't like supporting stores that don't practice basic husbandry.

Unfortunately, that's hardly possible. There's not another LFS within an hour of me...

 

[jgvergo]

If you are careful, you should not have a problem. Even if you get aptasia, it is not that hard to control.

 

[jordan9095]

a large peppermint shrimp will eat the aiptasia. i would just not shop there however since it seems like they don't care about their livestock very much.

 

[PirateDan]

Run!!! And don’t look back!!!

 

[PDR]

Unfortunately, that's hardly possible. There's not another LFS within an hour of me...

Yeah I understand the struggle. I have a similar situation where I live. I purchase frozen food from my lfs, but I get everything else online or from other hobbyists.

 

[Instigate]

I have a similar problem, I just moved and was excited to see I have two fish stores within 5 min of me and one is walking distance. However once I got around to checking the stores out I was less than impressed. The two stores seem to be having a competition to see who can grow more pest algae and anemones... I've stopped in periodically in hopes I just came in on a bad day but it seems to be the norm, besides the selection was very weak to begin with. The only good places are an hour or more away, it just is what it is. In my case the risk of introducing something unwanted is not worth the convenience of their locations so I choose to drive farther to a decent one. Everything else is purchased online. My fish pharmacy stash is stocked up and I order consumables before they run out.

 

[Butuz]

LFS or online, unless the plug looks brand new, I always dip then replug frags I buy before they go into DT. Grab a bag of ceramic plugs online. Will minimize the risk, as aiotasia and other stuff you dont want in your tank is going to be on the plug itself.

 

[Instigate]

Yeah I understand the struggle. I have a similar situation where I live. I purchase frozen food from my lfs, but I get everything else online or from other hobbyists.

+1 on buying from other hobbyists, better prices and usually coming out of better maintained systems.

 

[Tamberav]

Aptasia doesn't bother me, I just remove plugs or take a syringe of boiling water and squirt it in their hole melting them.

 

[Da Ghost]

If you MUST do it buy it and QT that piece it may take several attempts at completely removing Aptasia BUT trust me YOU DO NOT want Aptasia in your main system.

 

[Pntbll687]

I would find another LFS if possible. I don't like supporting stores that don't practice basic husbandry.

So if BRS sold livestock you wouldn't buy from them? They videoed and talked about the aptasia outbreak they had in the BRS160

 

[jrill]

The reality is if you keep a reef no mater how hard you try your going to get aptasia and pests. Your lfs fights the same battle.

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

The reality is if you keep a reef no mater how hard you try your going to get aptasia and pests. Your lfs fights the same battle.

That’s not very accurate.
Yes, we’re all fighting the same battle, but some of us have more determination and resources to fight.
I’ve never once had aiptasia. I like to think it’s because I go out of my way not to put invasive species on my tank.

 

[jrill]

That’s not very accurate.
Yes, we’re all fighting the same battle, but some of us have more determination and resources to fight.
I’ve never once had aiptasia. I like to think it’s because I go out of my way not to put invasive species on my tank.

Hopefully you never will, but the odds are against you[emoji6]

 

[ahiggins]

Rarely do I see an lfs that has pristine tanks. I overlook the occasional bubble algae or Aiptasia if they’re mostly clean. I’ve been to some hole in the wall places where I’ve rushed out quick.