Dang aipstasia! Algae questions.

[dlee300z]

I'm not a believer in chemicals in my tank because for 1, I'm new and 2, I have a freaken whole mess of SPS.

I have noticed 3 aipstasia in my tank and they are in a spot where I would probably have to rearrange my rocks to get too since i don't think there's a chemical applicator that could bend and twist that much =). So I'm going to try to see if I can get a peppermint shrimp. Maybe even two to eat it up.

Does anyone who have these shrimp, had it actually eat aipstasia?. I know it's hit or miss but anyone successfully had their peppermint shrimp munch on them? Maybe I could get it from the same store or the same lineage.

I've killed 2 when my rocks weren't in such a crazy setup but now, it's probably impossible without rearranging everything again.

Also, i'm getting brown algae on my sand and I fear my clean up crew, or lack of, is not doing it's job.

What would you guys recommend?

I have 1 sandsifter starfish,
1 cleaner shrimp,
1 lawnmower blenny
and a crazy amount of STOMATELLA hitch-hikers.

Thanks!

 

[Bdimas]

I've had peppermints eat all of my Aiptasia. The thing i didnt like about them though is that they tore up alot of my lps during feeding time.

Your tank is only 5mo old? Its probably not settled in yet so you may be getting diatoms. You may also not have enough flow down on the sand bed.

 

[kevin95695]

Get the Florida peppermints if you can. They're rumored to have more of an appetite for aiptasia.

Try a conch for your sand. Worst case, get a diamond goby, but there are some that believe they'll strip your sand completely of good critters.

 

[kdblove_99]

HEard sometimes peps will eat it and sometimes they wont. Either way i would try it because it will sting the heck out of your SPS

 

[bladeruner143]

The peppermint shrimp I have eats them. It is really hit or miss though. I'd get two to increase the odds of one eating Aiptasia.

 

[Justin74]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12475675#post12475675 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bdimas
I've had peppermints eat all of my Aiptasia. The thing i didnt like about them though is that they tore up alot of my lps during feeding time.

Whole heartedly concur doctor!! Maliceous lil bandits!!

-Justin

 

[kdblove_99]

Sounds like he mainly has SPS.

Copperbands also known to eat it? cant remember if i read that somewhere or not so i would do a search

 

[cathoai]

Copperband butterfly is also a hit or miss. I got lucky that mine ate all the aptasia in my tank.

Howie

 

[Nuuze]

Hardest part with a copperband butterfly is getting one that will eat. I have one in my tank for about a month now and so far I haven't seen it eat food that I feed. It grazes off the rocks all day. Still crossing my fingers...some say get them med to large. Small one most likely have very little chance.

 

[P.Kelly]

Nuuze, have you tried feeding live brine? I've had the best luck with introducing live brine to copperbands that are otherwise only hunting the rocks.

 

[Nuuze]

Not yet Pete. So far I've tried only frozen brine and mysid; several Ocean Nutrition flakes.

I'll try to pick some up on the way home from work and give it a try tomorrow. Thanks.

Someone else in the reef fish forum mentioned black worms too but have no idea if any lfs sells them.

 

[dlee300z]

Got two Peppermints from Exotic the other day.

4 days later. no more apstasia. YEAH!!!!

 

[Justin74]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12520851#post12520851 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dlee300z
Got two Peppermints from Exotic the other day.

4 days later. no more apstasia. YEAH!!!!

And so doth the evilry begin!(ith? :lol: )

-Justin

 

[pcurry18]

Best aptasia killers i have experienced are the Kleins Butterfly and the Peppermint shrimp. Cheep, decorative, and very effective. Good Luck!

 

[builderguy]

You need at least 4 peppermints...or a Copperband...my Copperband cleaned out a WHOLE MESS of Aiptasia in record time. I agree...look for a medium sized one and have the fish store feed it for you to see it eating.

 

[Underwaterparadise]

For a fish the Kliens are MUCH MUCH hardier then CBB and they usually eat prepared food within minutes of being introduced. Not as purtty but just as effective IMO. They do sometimes take a liking to Zoas,paly's and sometimes leathers.

As for peps they have to be in at least 3's for them to be effective. If not they are too shy and stay hidden rather then searching the reef for food. In 20-30g nano's you can sometimes get away with only 2.

 

[JahReefster]

Ditto the favorable comments on Klein's Butterflies and their appetite for aiptasia.

 

[DrDNA]

I cleaned out the aiptasia from my 300g using a klein's followed by a CBB. I probably had a couple hundred of them at one time! IME, the Klein's are excellent apitasia killers but they do also pick on SPS and may cause them to only PE at night. So, I used a kleins to wipe out the aiptasia and now have a CBB to keep any "offspring" under control w/o harassing my SPS.
Just my 2 cents worth! Good luck!