why get rid of aiptasia

[jerl77]

why do we get rid of this in reef tanks i have some i dont see any harm there doing. i just found this out tonight so my question is why get rid of them?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Because it grows out of control, overgrowing and stinging/killing other corals, plus it can sting and kill fish.

 

[jerl77]

how do you kill them i have lost some coarls just didnt know why i think i know now what the best way to kill them?

 

[masterswimmer]

You can use pre-made formula's sold on the open market. Or you can go the 'holistic' route and make your own.

Joe's Juice (pre-made forumula)
Kalkwasser paste (home made)
lemon juice injected via a syringe

hth,
swimmer

 

[DevIouS]

Chief said it all.


Excerpt from About.com:


"One way to kill and get rid of prolific and pesky aiptasia sea anemones in a saltwater aquarium is by means of injecting them with any of the following chemical or liquid solutions. When using this method, for the best results you should inject the solution of choice directly into the stem of the anemone with a needle and syringe.

• Bottled Lemon Juice Concentrate

• Calcium Hydroxide (kalkwasser)

Injecting aiptasia with calcium hydroxide (kalkwasser) in a concentrated solution is one of the most common methods used.

The consensus we get on this method is that is does work, but is not very efficiently unless done properly. The kill rate is low if the anemone is not directly injected with it and if the solution is not strong enough. Another problem is that if you try to kill to many aiptasia at once, this can cause a problem with the pH in your tank from adding to much CAOH2 at one time."​

I also tried Aiptasia Stop which you can find at PetCo or Petgoods & worked with great success.​

 

[DevIouS]

Awww man....
While typing this, Master beat me to it...

 

[jab161]

joesjuice helped double the size of theses things in my tank

 

[crox99]

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum...a-problem-solved-looking-more.html#post327551

Try an auriga butterfly.

 

[masterswimmer]

Awww man....
While typing this, Master beat me to it...

:hug: No problem bro. You just confirmed my response. A few minutes later and I would have confirmed yours :biggrin:

R

 

[DevIouS]

Try an auriga butterfly.

50 / 50 chance this fish will pick on corals.
I would not recommend it.

 

[TimberTDI]

I have always had great success with white vinegar. I also you a syringe needle to inject it. I got the need from one of those inkjet refill kits, works great.

Steven

 

[Awibrandy]

I have always had great success with white vinegar. I also you a syringe needle to inject it. I got the need from one of those inkjet refill kits, works great.

Steven

Ditto, common household cheap white vinegar with a syringe. Easy as pie! Had one came in on a rock with a coral I bought, injected it in a few places since as soon as I went to stick it it closed up. That was something like 5 months ago, and have not since another since. I have medical need for syringes, so I have them readly availabe.

 

[marki24]

I would also recommend getting a peppermint shrimp. They did miricales for me in my tank and they sell for cheap. Some say its a hit and miss but mine was a def hit.

 

[1UCKY]

Injecting aiptasia with pure lemon juice worked for me (actually I tried this last night and the little sucker that was sticking out of a hole for a few weeks is gone:thrash.

 

[e.muehlbauer]

I have usually had luck with white vinegar. As long as I can actually inject the center of the anemone, it works. (The hot pepper stuff definitely does not work...). 2 problems with injecting: 1, the syringe can pass through the anemone entirely. so that nothing gets injected into it, and 2, the anemone may actually be anchored very deeply inside really porous rock. There is no way to effectively inject these guys, as they easily pull 1-2" inside. In those cases, I have found the only thing to do is discard the rock entirely. Take care, Eric

 

[masterswimmer]

Syringes are available to the general public. No need for any prescription. I pay about $.25 for one. Very very useful.

swimmer