Artificial Coral

[patrickpernell]

I know this post will probably get a lot of back lash but just asking for opinions. I have a 30 gallon biocube with only 2 pieces of coral in it. But the tank has several healthy fish. I'm REALLY struggling with aitasia and have tried Aiptasia X, matted filefish (in the tank now, but only eating the food I feed the other fish), several peppermint shrimp and the majano wand (if that's what it's called, the wand that shocks). Nothing has worked.

So what I'm contemplating doing is taking all the live rock out and donating the two corals I have to a friend. Then replacing all that with artificial reefs of some sort.

Has anyone done this? Or is it stupid? If anyone has done it, any recommendations on the store to buy the artificial stuff from?

 

[patrickpernell]

I know this post will probably get a lot of back lash but just asking for opinions. I have a 30 gallon biocube with only 2 pieces of coral in it. But the tank has several healthy fish. I'm REALLY struggling with aitasia and have tried Aiptasia X, matted filefish (in the tank now, but only eating the food I feed the other fish), several peppermint shrimp and the majano wand (if that's what it's called, the wand that shocks). Nothing has worked.

So what I'm contemplating doing is taking all the live rock out and donating the two corals I have to a friend. Then replacing all that with artificial reefs of some sort.

Has anyone done this? Or is it stupid? If anyone has done it, any recommendations on the store to buy the artificial stuff from?

Yes, realize I spelled Aiptasia wrong

 

[MuShu]

Eh. I wouldn't, just because I see it as throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

Biocubes have lots of places for aiptasia to hide. There may be a nice colony brewing in one of your chambers and you are only seeing the evidence on your rocks. The reality is very likely that you will get rid of your rocks and coral just to have the aiptasia pop up on the fake stuff.

If you want to try new rocks, go ahead and get some dry rock from a reputable source and cure it separately. Then switch out the rock in your tank.

 

[hkgar]

How long have you had the Filefish? I have one and it eliminated my problem. Mine was Majano though and not Aptasia.

 

[mcgyvr]

How bad is it really?..why not just stop thinking they need to be removed and just enjoy them as neat creatures in the tank...
Im sure they arent causing problems....


Or...
How often do you feed?..
Try every other day or every three days for a bit...That filefish may get hungry enough to start going aften them then...It shouldn't cause any real problems for any of the fish either..

Its hard to replace the surface area,etc.. of good porous rock with some fake pieces of whatever...not to mention that aiptasia can grow on that stuff just fine too and you are unlikely to get all the aiptasia out just removing the rock.

Imo just stop trying to fight what really isnt a problem...

 

[Bpb]

Your choice also depends on your goal. Do you simply want a fish tank that looks like a "œfish" tank at a distance, where you enjoy your fish friends for their personalities, and maybe if someone comes to your house they glance and say "œhuh, cool fish" and that's the extent of the hobby? If so. Then by all means. I think you'll be less stressed.

However....that doesn't describe 99% of people on this forum. I'd wager most of us are in it specifically for the process of growing coral. Artificial decor in no way will satisfy that goal.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[billdogg]

There are several good reasons to NOT use artificial "corals" in your tank. In addition to the loss of biological filtration you will have if you remove the live rock, you will also lose the buffering capacity it provides. In addition, although the fake stuff looks ok at first, it will quickly attract undesirable algae growth. The only way to keep it looking nice is to frequently remove it all and scrub it off. That will quickly become a royal PIA that you will begin to put off longer and longer. You will also lose some of the bright coloration of the artificial stuff every time you do clean it.

Although you could make up for the loss of biological filtration in several ways they too have their pitfalls.

 

[hkgar]

No live rock and artificial corals? Just do fresh water. This is reefing , putting a small ocean in our living rooms.

 

[Anemone]

There are several good reasons to NOT use artificial "corals" in your tank. In addition to the loss of biological filtration you will have if you remove the live rock, you will also lose the buffering capacity it provides. In addition, although the fake stuff looks ok at first, it will quickly attract undesirable algae growth. The only way to keep it looking nice is to frequently remove it all and scrub it off. That will quickly become a royal PIA that you will begin to put off longer and longer. You will also lose some of the bright coloration of the artificial stuff every time you do clean it.

This. And you risk an ammonia spike and killing your fish if you remove all your live rock and corals...

Kevin