ID part 2 - Emergency?

[Mark_C]

So, earlier today fears of an aiptasia were confirmed. Removed one of the rocks that has a definite specimin on it, turned it over, and found about a dozen small white 'grublike' things on the bottom of the rock.

Are these juvenile aiptasia by any chance? Are these zoanths?
Is there a way to tell them apart or is the 'kill em all' approach best here?

(oh, I'm guessing the fronds are macro)

Thanks again

and, for reference, here's the rock in tank with the visible specimin on it in the bottom right...

 

[ps3]

sponges

 

[ajespo85]

those white grublike things are pineapple sponges. they aren't harmful in anyway, they are filter feeders.

 

[jrp1588]

No need to panic over aiptasia, just zap them with any number of tried and true methods, and those are just harmless pineapple sponges. Take a deep breath, relax, and go enjoy your tank.

 

[Mark_C]

Thanks jrp I'm not the panic type. Dug the car out of the snow, went to Walmart, picked up some peroxide, removed the offending rocks, did the deed with a syringe and direct drops.

Then, with a day off I re-aquascaped while doing a full algae clean, modified a cabinet for a new tank, worked on a new sump, etc...

Then sat for 30 mins watching the tank while sipping a bourbon. My lawnmower blennie was perched on a rock tracking my movements with his eyestalks, which was most enjoyable as I asked him yes or no questions and moved the glass in my hand to guide his response. Wish I could learn to do this with my wife.

 

[jrp1588]

Thanks jrp I'm not the panic type. Dug the car out of the snow, went to Walmart, picked up some peroxide, removed the offending rocks, did the deed with a syringe and direct drops.

Then, with a day off I re-aquascaped while doing a full algae clean, modified a cabinet for a new tank, worked on a new sump, etc...

Then sat for 30 mins watching the tank while sipping a bourbon. My lawnmower blennie was perched on a rock tracking my movements with his eyestalks, which was most enjoyable as I asked him yes or no questions and moved the glass in my hand to guide his response. Wish I could learn to do this with my wife.

Wives become more pliable with vodka dosing. Don't do too much though, or you'll crash the system.

 

[LadyG]

I had a rough day at work, and this thread just made my day. Thank you.

 

[Archgeek]

Wives become more pliable with vodka dosing. Don't do too much though, or you'll crash the system.

Ha. Truly funny.

 

[Mark_C]

Wives become more pliable with vodka dosing.

She doesn't really drink. Will try chocolate dosing.

 

[jrp1588]

She doesn't really drink. Will try chocolate dosing.

Every system is different. Chocolate dosing in excess can potentially result in a sudden and undesirable increase in bioload, however. It's best to keep a close eye on parameters and dose only when necessary. The science behind chocolate dosing isn't fully understood, but anecdotal reports show extremely quick, if fleeting, improvements in the manageability of the system.

 

[jrp1588]

I also find occasional (~monthly) large doses of flower supplementation to be highly beneficial. My last system crashed in part due to flower levels dropping to dangerous lows. Unfortunately I didn't test, and the system showed no signs of instability until it all crashed at once. I later found out one of my acquaintences had been dosing flowers for me when I wasn't around. I couldn't seem to get things back in balance, so I let him take over the system for me.

With my new system, I'm attempting to be much more on top of keeping parameters in line. Though, the equipment on this system is much lower maintenance.

 

[s_kelley]

I also find occasional (~monthly) large doses of flower supplementation to be highly beneficial. My last system crashed in part due to flower levels dropping to dangerous lows. Unfortunately I didn't test, and the system showed no signs of instability until it all crashed at once. I later found out one of my acquaintences had been dosing flowers for me when I wasn't around. I couldn't seem to get things back in balance, so I let him take over the system for me.

With my new system, I'm attempting to be much more on top of keeping parameters in line. Though, the equipment on this system is much lower maintenance.

Too funny!

 

[Mark_C]

Interesting.

Many years ago I knew of a system dangerously out of balance and crashing on a regular basis. I felt I could stabilize it, but, after 7 years, it was beyond me. Parameters were all over the place, and regardless of dosing, any stabilization was momentary. Eventually I had to admit that it was much more than I could handle. The economic means to maintain heavy dosing or to afford a skimmer large enough to remove the ichor was beyond me.

The new system works well, and, as yours, is much lower maintenance, though vodka dosing throws it out of whack in a mildly uncomfortable way. If I do vodka dose, a lie in, coffee, hugs, and breakfast are required to maintain the system in the morning. A red wine dose, especially mulled, tends keeps the system in balance without any additional maintenance required

As discussed, the chocolate dosing is a new theory to bring the system in line with the blennie. My 30 minutes with the blennie showed me what an excellent judge of my opinions he is. It would be nice if the system were as agreeable.

 

[TRDfan]

those white grublike things are pineapple sponges. they aren't harmful in anyway, they are filter feeders.

What he said... No harm at all

 

[moondoggy4]

Too funny, my vote thread of the month.

 

[jrp1588]

Too funny, my vote thread of the month.

Haha, what's that old expression? Comedy equals tragedy plus time?

 

[moondoggy4]

Yeap bitter tears of joy.