aptasia problems

[m3rcury]

so, i've read the suggestions on aptasia control, but still have some questions.

i have 2 rocks that seem to be pretty well infested with these. they are both in the back of my tank up agains the glass where i can't see them very well. so, i didn't know i had any at all until last night when i was doing a thorough cleaning and noticed them on these rocks. the problem is that these rocks are at the base on my reefscape and i cannot get to all of the aptasia without removing the rocks themselves. in addition, they are pretty good sided rocks and would be expensive to replace.

so, what do i do? i could re-arrange the rocks and simply get rid of those, but everything in my tank is nice and settled and doing well. i have to mess with something that is working. if i start moving the rock work around, i'm going to kick up all kinds of nasty gunk in the sandbed. also, i have a BTA that has not moved in the 4 months that i've had him and i'm very concerned about his health.

so, suggestions? like i said, i could get to the rocks, but it would take quit a bit of work. i could pull them out and treat them, but how should i do it?

thanks so much for your help.

 

[bertoni]

I'd throw in some Berghia from time to time. Well, actually, whatever species is currently being sold as Berghia. Peppermint shrimp are likely to be useful, although they can be a bit destructive.

 

[stkitts]

I found that a small dose of lemon juice did the trick. I used a syringe that came with my calcium test kit and injected directly when they were up and feeding.

 

[Rock Anemone]

I've had great success with adding a couple Peppermint Shrimp to my tank in the past.

 

[m3rcury]

will the peppermint shrimp be a problem with my corals? i have a mixed tank with acros, montis, zoas, various lps, etc.

 

[bertoni]

They can be. I had one that ate most every soft coral it could get at, but that's uncommon. No, I didn't get a camel shrimp. They've also been known to pester anemones. That said, most seem to be reasonably well-behaved.

 

[Rock Anemone]

At the time when I had mine in the tank I had a wide selection of corals/inverts: soft corals, frogspawns, torches, montipora, birdsnest as well as a bubble tip anemone. I didn't notice any issues with them and the shrimp, but everyone will have different experiences. I'd say give it a shot and make sure you're actually getting Peppermint Shrimp and not Camel Shrimp (which have a similar appearance).

Best of luck!