Cuc question....

[lougotzz]

Hello everyone,
about a week ago I added my LR into my tank and it is up and cycling. I ordered cured live rock from premium aquatics, and brushed it off with a brush to get any dead stuff off of it. This was my first time doing this so I dont think I got every piece of die off off, I see some loose stuff on the rock. I also think I see a little aptaisia (spelling?) which should come out of the tank. Would it be alright if I started adding my CUC to the tank during the cycle to get rid of some of the die off and aptaisia? If so could I have some advice on what to pick for the CUC?
Thanks.

 

[JEFFR259]

lougotzz-

How long has the tank been set up? You mention that about a week ago you added LR, but overall, how long has the tank been up and running?

How are your water parameters? In my opinion, once Ammonia and Nitrites have spiked and dropped and Nitrate is on it's way down, you can begin to add CUC.

How big is the tank?

Answering these questions will help us guide you on the # of CUC you can start with and when you can add them.

Also, there's really no CUC (like snails/hermit crabs) that will attend to the aiptasia. A known invert predator for aiptasia is the Peppermint Shrimp. But even so, sometimes Pep Shrimp have been known to avoid eating them....their just different on a shrimp to shrimp basis.

The best way to help erradicate the aiptasia (start now or you'll regret it later) is one of the many following methods:

1. Inject aiptasia with boiling hot water (has to be done quickly to avoid H2O cooling before it hits the anemone).

2. Inject Kalk paste.

3. Inject Lemon Juice

4. Inject Aiptasia-X (a commercial product)

5. Inject Joe's Juice (a commercial product)

People have varying success with these methods. I personally use Aiptasia X.

 

[faze07hd]

I have had aptasia in the past and i found that injecting them is not only lengthy, but it doesnt come close to killing all of them off. Injecting may help a bit, but to get rid of them completely, i would get probably 1 peppermint shrimp per 20 gallons.

They might not attack it asap, but within a weeks time, they will feed off of it.

If you do get the peppermint shrimp, Make sure you acclimate them over a period of at least an hour. They are very touchy when it comes to that. And if you dont see them out and about, no need to worry, They dont come out much during the day.

Good luck.

 

[noahm]

There are also several mini nems that are not aiptaisia and even though numerous, are not invasive/aggressive, so a photo id would help you avoid an unnecessary war. If it is Aipt, I would get peps. The main thing is water params. If your params are fine, then CUC is fine.

 

[reefworm]

I would agree to complete the cycle before adding your cleaners. When you're ready, check in with http://reefcleaners.org Very knowledgeable and helpful.

 

[lougotzz]

The tank has been set up with LR for one week, and with water in it it has been set up for two weeks.
My parameters are listed below:
SG: 1.025
Ammonia: appears to be at 0-.25
Nitrate: between 5-10
PH: 8.2
Calcium: 420
phosphates: 0-.25
I know ammonia was at .5 at one point, so its definatly coming down.

The tank is only 20 gallons, but its not a regular sized 20. The dimensions are 17"x17"x16". Below are two photos. One FTS so you can see the tank and its foot print. The second shot is the aiptasia, or at least I think its aiptasia.

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I was thinking peppermint shrimp as well. I have heard they would eat the aiptasia.

So what do you all think?

Thanks for the replies and help!

 

[Dave Harms]

I don't see any aiptasia in those pictures.

 

[lougotzz]

^ On the pink rock, those little branches growing out of the rock. It could be that Im just dead wrong and it something else, thats the likely answer here LOL.

 

[reefworm]

that's not aiptasia Lucky you

 

[lougotzz]

Oh good. What is it? Is it ok to keep in the tank because I do think its nice.
Thanks!