Aiptasia

[nisemu]

Ive been dealing with aiptasia for months on end, I'd say around 7 months. I first used the Red Sea aiptasia x, as I was advised to do so by my local fish shop (who coincidentally introduced this into my tanks!) it didn't work, they all spread, they got huge, they reproduced and now that entire 20 gallon is taken over by aiptasia. Since then I have tried nudibranchs, they got eaten by bristle worms (that also were introduced via my local fish shops corals which I dip every time so im very unsure of how all of this happened in the first place) f aiptasia, about 20 peppermint shrimp over time because they kept getting eaten, boiling water, and about twice a week now for a month ive been going in with kalkwasser paste and injecting them with it, to no avail. Now my 13.5 gallon is also covered in aiptasia. I call aquarium maintenance places to see if they can help, they tell me to get peppermint shrimp, nudibranchs, copper banded butterflies, or file fish to eat them. I explain I have done nudibranchs and peppermints and that I have nano tanks so no copper bands or filefish can go in them, and then they say there is nothing they can do for me. I am losing all my hope, this is seriously messing with my mental as I truly do value my fish tanks. However im seeing no end in sight to this mess. I cant keep dealing with this it feels like insanity.

 

[ScubaFish802]

I am in a similar boat. I have been debating restarting my tank very carefully.

No luck with the same methods - have not tried shrimp due to concern about my LPS. In your size tank it may be easy enough to rip everything out and get new rock. I have been having a hard time figuring out how to get it out of my plumbing and sump without bleaching everything in-between transfers

 

[bjmartie]

Aiptasia eating file fish took care of mine for me! I have some in the overflow, but as long as they aren't messing with anything in my tank, I don't mess with them, they aren't hurting anything.

 

[nisemu]

I am in a similar boat. I have been debating restarting my tank very carefully.

No luck with the same methods - have not tried shrimp due to concern about my LPS. In your size tank it may be easy enough to rip everything out and get new rock. I have been having a hard time figuring out how to get it out of my plumbing and sump without bleaching everything in-between transfers

It is all over my coral all in my sand all in the equipment, I feel like if I do restart, it won't matter because it is in all of the mechanical filtration.

 

[Uncle99]

It’s likely easier IMM with 20g to start some new rock in a garbage can and then restart from dried mechanical

 

[nisemu]

Aiptasia eating file fish took care of mine for me! I have some in the overflow, but as long as they aren't messing with anything in my tank, I don't mess with them, they aren't hurting anything.

I have nano tanks I cant have a filefish.

 

[ScubaFish802]

Aiptasia eating file fish took care of mine for me! I have some in the overflow, but as long as they aren't messing with anything in my tank, I don't mess with them, they aren't hurting anything.

I've been hoping Biota would drop their next batch. It has been quite some time out of stock

 

[nisemu]

It’s likely easier IMM with 20g to start some new rock in a garbage can and then restart.

my corals are all over my rock work though in the 20

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ive been dealing with aiptasia for months on end, I'd say around 7 months. I first used the Red Sea aiptasia x, as I was advised to do so by my local fish shop (who coincidentally introduced this into my tanks!) it didn't work, they all spread, they got huge, they reproduced and now that entire 20 gallon is taken over by aiptasia. Since then I have tried nudibranchs, they got eaten by bristle worms (that also were introduced via my local fish shops corals which I dip every time so im very unsure of how all of this happened in the first place) f aiptasia, about 20 peppermint shrimp over time because they kept getting eaten, boiling water, and about twice a week now for a month ive been going in with kalkwasser paste and injecting them with it, to no avail. Now my 13.5 gallon is also covered in aiptasia. I call aquarium maintenance places to see if they can help, they tell me to get peppermint shrimp, nudibranchs, copper banded butterflies, or file fish to eat them. I explain I have done nudibranchs and peppermints and that I have nano tanks so no copper bands or filefish can go in them, and then they say there is nothing they can do for me. I am losing all my hope, this is seriously messing with my mental as I truly do value my fish tanks. However im seeing no end in sight to this mess. I cant keep dealing with this it feels like insanity.

For Aptasia- You cant beat a Kleini Butterfly BUT must be the bluehead- NOT the yellow version. The yellow will go after coral too but bluehead as pictured will eat aptasia like candy, then eat all dry and frozen food offered, colorful, friendly and stays small. I will note that a couple of persons who got the blue had their kleini nip zoa. if so- easy sell, or place in sump as aptasia have likely made it down there already

 

[Uncle99]

my corals are all over my rock work though in the 20

Aptasia X did work for me, but….
I used 1/8th inch ridged air line tube on a 10ml syringe + some 2-part expoxy or reef gum.
With water flow off, 1 hour, I put a big ball in the middle, and a circle around the blob.
Once a week, every week.
Took about 6 months.

 

[nisemu]

For Aptasia- You cant beat a Kleini Butterfly BUT must be the bluehead- NOT the yellow version. The yellow will go after coral too but bluehead as pictured will eat aptasia like candy, then eat all dry and frozen food offered, colorful, friendly and stays small. I will note that a couple of persons who got the blue had their kleini nip zoa. if so- easy sell, or place in sump as aptasia have likely made it down there already

I have only nano tanks that have aiptasia. they are 20 gallons and 13.5. this fish is too big unfortunately.

 

[Uncle99]

For Aptasia- You cant beat a Kleini Butterfly BUT must be the bluehead- NOT the yellow version. The yellow will go after coral too but bluehead as pictured will eat aptasia like candy, then eat all dry and frozen food offered, colorful, friendly and stays small. I will note that a couple of persons who got the blue had their kleini nip zoa. if so- easy sell, or place in sump as aptasia have likely made it down there already

Is there any restrictions on tank size?

 

[nisemu]

Is there any restrictions on tank size?

they're 13.5 gal and 20 gal tanks so yes

 

[Uncle99]

they're 13.5 gal and 20 gal tanks so yes

Too bad, I’ve never tried that fish.

Aptasia gets to a point, if not managed, where the only possible way is to restart from dry.

I’d think that the majority of reefers have some Aptasia, it’s hard not to run into them over the long term.

I’ve just added to weekly maintenance.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Is there any restrictions on tank size?

No, theyre small- mine 3 years and only a tad over 3"
Both tanks are 24" and obviously you want to buy a typical 2.5" size that they are at when at an LFS

 

[Uncle99]

No, theyre small- mine 3 years and only a tad over 3"
Both tanks are 24" and obviously you want to buy a typical 2.5" size that they are at when at an LFS

Perfect.
Thank you.

 

[bobnicaragua]

Every time I go to the local fish store, I buy a peppermint shrimp. Haven’t seen aptasia in years.

 

[nisemu]

Every time I go to the local fish store, I buy a peppermint shrimp. Haven’t seen aptasia in years.

ive purchased soooo many and they've all been eaten, maybe in my 13.5 I can try them because there are no fish

 

[nisemu]

Too bad, I’ve never tried that fish.

Aptasia gets to a point, if not managed, where the only possible way is to restart from dry.

I’d think that the majority of reefers have some Aptasia, it’s hard not to run into them over the long term.

I’ve just added to weekly maintenance.

what is your maintenance routine?

 

[Dburr1014]

Ive been dealing with aiptasia for months on end, I'd say around 7 months. I first used the Red Sea aiptasia x, as I was advised to do so by my local fish shop (who coincidentally introduced this into my tanks!) it didn't work, they all spread, they got huge, they reproduced and now that entire 20 gallon is taken over by aiptasia. Since then I have tried nudibranchs, they got eaten by bristle worms (that also were introduced via my local fish shops corals which I dip every time so im very unsure of how all of this happened in the first place) f aiptasia, about 20 peppermint shrimp over time because they kept getting eaten, boiling water, and about twice a week now for a month ive been going in with kalkwasser paste and injecting them with it, to no avail. Now my 13.5 gallon is also covered in aiptasia. I call aquarium maintenance places to see if they can help, they tell me to get peppermint shrimp, nudibranchs, copper banded butterflies, or file fish to eat them. I explain I have done nudibranchs and peppermints and that I have nano tanks so no copper bands or filefish can go in them, and then they say there is nothing they can do for me. I am losing all my hope, this is seriously messing with my mental as I truly do value my fish tanks. However im seeing no end in sight to this mess. I cant keep dealing with this it feels like insanity.

Tell me the steps you used with the berghia and how many did you buy.
I really don't believe worms eat nudies.