SOS: Aiptasia... with a twist!

[XeniaGirl]

grrrrr... yes... it's out of the question (most of the rocks in the tank have some aiptasia on them).
And I know you're right but I just don't want to admit it! I guess they'll try the homemade kalk mix since they don't want to get rid of the hawkfish... they're just stubborn. (My mom IS Hardhead Cat, after all).
Thanks anyway, guys... we'll keep you updated with the goings-on of our aiptasia invasion!

[Twitterbait]

ok, a few things.

if you go with peppermint shrimp make sure they are small and young. as pepps get older they tend to lose interest in aptasia.

as far as a solution, i would yank the rock out and use a blow torch on the aptasia. I have never met a hitchhiker that survived the blow torch. plus it will not kill the bacteria inside the live rock. torch the rock, then use a brush to scrub the black off, and give it another go. then submerge the rock in a colder bath of saltwater to cool it down before putting it back in the tank.

[Fly Guy]

Originally Posted by frankandmaura

I don't think there is a 100% accurate and effective cure?

There IS but one.......as twitter mentioned...torch it until it stops smoking. It will not return.

[Hardhead Cat]

I'll poke my snout in here since Xenia Girl is my oldest daughter and she was trying to give us a hand getting rid of these stupid aiptasia in the 135-gallon. I think it's just the tank re-settling after being moved 300 miles. We are slowly but surely getting rid of them. Can't get rid of the flame hawkfish, so unfortunately peppermint shrimp are out of the question.

I have heard kalk and RO water, or pickling lime too. Guess we'll have to experiment and see what works best, but even Joe's Juice isn't 100%.

Thanks everyone!

HHC

[Caball362]

Well you can isolate the Hawkfish for a short time .. useing a breeder net you can get at walmart. use that as a template you can make a bigger In tank QT for the shrimp eater . thats just something i am thinking about for rouge frag shrooms (except i need one smaller ) and you could use larger mash so more flow got threw .

[XeniaGirl]

All well, I tried! Sorry, Mom! (HHC)

Stupid aptasia... I remember I had a 10-gal Eclipse saltwater tank when I was in high school, and just had a clown, blenny, hermits, etc. Really basic. I used to hand-feed my aptasia b/c I thought they were cool, and I didn't have any coral in there anyway so not like it mattered. And now look at me!

Thanks again for all of your help, everyone. I'm sure HHC has some more tricks up her sleeve... I am my mother's daughter!