Dead aptasia.....or not

[The Saltman]

Hi guys,

I recently acquired some live rock in a friends tank that was in pretty bad shape. It was covered in algae and aptasia. The aptasia was pretty bad. I want to add these pieces to my 210 because they are pretty nice pieces. So far, I have let the rock air dry for 5 days. I then put the rock in boiling water. Then I let the rock soak in a 50/50 vinegar water solution over night and scrubbed it. However, I still see dead aptasia on the rock in the crevices. Should I be concerned about adding this rock to my tank with dead aptasia on it? Can it come back to life in the right conditions? Or should everything pretty much be dead on the rock and there is no chance aptasia could infest the tank?

 

[Gdevine]

God only knows how some pests survive extreme conditions but they do. From what you describe I doubt anything could survive that ... however that being said place the rock in an area of the tank that you can remove easily for the first few months or so and keep your eyes on things. I'd bet a beer and pizza you're fine.

 

[saltwater4life1]

If it works i'll have to try it i've got 20+ lbs with over a years worth of aptasia all over them...
GOOD LUCK!!!

Nick

 

[The Saltman]

I really can't see how these aptasia would survive, but I have heard they have survived some rough conditions from other reefers stories.

 

[plyr58]

Well if all that didn't kill it, I would suggest bombarding the rock with highly charged atoms of Uranium 121. JK. Let us know how it goes. Getting rid of those persistent little buggers is a PITA.

 

[saltwater4life1]

Just like how some people buy dry base rock that hasn't been in water for a long time and then they find a mantis shrimp the next day...
I forgot to post i had a few Aptasia on my powerhead all i did was soak it in vinegar and never seen them again. Someone told me to stick a piece or 2 of live rock a week into the microwave for a few minutes and it should kill them. I'd think the oven does the same.

Nick