Now that I have figured out I have aptasia........

[king1522]

The aptasia is in my nano. I would like to use the rock as part of the base rock for my new 120. What is the best way to sterlize it? Bleach it??
Thanks
Don

 

[Anonymous]

You don't have to sterilize it, just get some Lysmata wurdemanni (Caribbean peppermint shrimp), don't feed them, and they will eat the Aiptasia.

 

[Anonymous]

Do Not bleach...In this case L. Wurdemanni might be the best approach with some luck, since you have such a bad case of the Aiptasia

:x

 

[danmhippo]

How big is the nano? What other fish/invert is already in it?

 

[king1522]

The nano is a 13 gallon. I only have a true percula in it. I intend to dismantle it when my 120 arrives. I was hoping to use the rock and sand in my new refugium. Not sure what I will do with the stuff now.
Don

 

[Expos Forever]

IME pep shrimps are hit and miss as far as eating aptasia. Since this is only in a 13 gallon I suggest injecting every single aptasia with a kalk mixture if this is possible.

 

[Anonymous]

I do like (I just found out) my LFS does and I inject with a vinegar-filled needle. Works pretty good for me, doesn't leave bombshell scars like I hear kalk can.. (Still, only inject a little into the base...)

Good luck.. (Your next project will be to work on the valonia....)

 

[danmhippo]

Eithe kalk or vinegar may be good for a large tank, but not for a 13 gallon nano. There is no room for chemistry swings!

IMHO, you will have to stick with carribean pep shrimps.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, good point danm.

King, if you're planning on dismantling the nano when the big tank arrives, why not just leave it and keep the clown feeling safe and secure for the time being? :wink:

Afterwards, if you REALLY want to use the rock, you can blast away at it with kalk or vinegar without much for worries.

If it were me, I'd try to talk my LFS into working with me on finding a pep. shrimp that likes the stuff and once it's cleaned up, leave it in place and develop it further. (Unless you have no room for a 13g nano after the 120 arrives....)

 

[king1522]

There will be no room for the Nano permanentlyl. I plan to leave it running until the big tank is cycled. I may transfer the clown to my quaranteen tank. not sure what i will do yet

 

[Anonymous]

I would try the peps. The ones in my tank took care of my aptasia except for one that has its foot deep in a crack. If that does not work you could just leave the rocks outside for a couple of days and then put them in your new tank during the cycle.

 

[Expos Forever]

I agree injecting massive amounts of aptasia with kalk is a dangerous proposition in such a small tank. Good catch Danm! I was coming back to warn of the risk of a ph spike. If you decide to try you should only do a couple/few at a time.

 

[Anonymous]

I was specific with the species because there are at least two species called peppermint shrimp. L. wurdemanni is known to eat Aiptasia, but if you feed them, it will be very much a hit or miss deal. Also, if you inadvertently get yourself the much more brilliantly colored Rhinocinetes dubanensis, you'll have failed in your attempt. If I recollect, there is also a California species that's called "peppermint shrimp" that will NOT eat Aiptasia, another common nomenclature nightmare, another failure.

 

[Ben1]

I had good luck in using both kalk and peps.

IME you can tell the difference in the right peppermint shrimp to use by the hump in there back and the ways the eyes are spread is slightly different, or maybe I am crazy! Camel shrimp look just like peps but have more sread eyes and a larger arc in there back IME.

Also I dont think peps work on the larger adult aptasias but are great for keeping the small ones away.

You could easily make up a 5 gallon bucket of saltwater. Take the rocks out, Kalk paste and scub the aptasia witha toothbrush, rinse well in the salt water bucket and put the rock back in the tank. Then add a couple of peps for assuance.

The other benifit of having two peps is they will keep eachother pregnant, and every few weeks release larvea to benifit the reef.

JMO