aptasia infestation.......... what to do

cichlid9

New member
Hello everyone, I been really busy this last year and unfortunately my tank has suffered the consequences. My sps is gone and I am just left with some favia, zoas, my 2 clowns, and about 200 aptasia in my 20 gallon tank. What would be my best option. I was just thinking of taking out the rock just turning the tank into a bare bottom frag tank. Do I need some type of live or sand or can I just remove it all. Thanks for your ideas guys.
 
Good thing is it's a 20g. In my opinion start over. Ditch the rock and hook up on some new rocks/sand. In 20g it would be a living nightmare trying to kill each one. 200 will be 400 your first go around. Or just turn it into an aptasia tank :P
 
yeah, no way I was trying to killem off, the rock has way to many nooks and crannies lol. I never started with new rock/sand. Is the cycle bad? I plan on setting up a 90 gallon soonish so don't mind looking at a bare tank for a while. I just wanted to save the corals I had left.
 
If it was me? I'd buy locally from a someone's tank here in the club. 20 lbs of farm fresh live rock. Probably have coraline algea going too. And two bags of live sand. You may get a small bloom but I'd just keep doing your regular water changes and it'll be fine. Plus your lps and softies may love the dirty water while your tank gets ready for sps again :D
 
I agree completely, go get 20lbs of cured rock. I would also get a couple peppermint shrimps to help make sure you don't re infest the new rock. Not sure what filtration your running but it's easy to miss an aptasia hiding in your sump or another hard to spot location.

The other option would be to try your hand with an aiptasia eating nudibrach like a berghia.
 
Cichlid9, Yes -

Those are all good ideas.

If you can't find anyone local to get cured rock from, I am in the Roseville area. Rocks have been in the system for over 2 years and currently aptaisia free.

Good luck!
 
Thanks for the ideas guys, I had peps one time but I would notice polyps of zoas floating around. I never saw them but i think they were clipping them off. As far as filtration goes I just have a HOB skimmer.
 
If you do restart with new rock and sand, I would put everything in a holding tank and completely dry out your set up. Aptasia grows in really hard to find and see places like plumbing, sump, silicone corners, etc. And and may re-infest over time if you don't
 
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