Mysterious Aiptasia in new system

[phillipw]

I have a new system that has only been running a couple of months. I have a 150g display tank and a basement sump with 40g connected refugium. The rock in the system was BRS Pukani cycled in a tub with LC for 2 months, the sand was not live sand. I started the refugium 3 weeks before the DT with a couple of pieces of rock and the sand using Red Sea Reef Mature Pro Kit. A week later I received an order from IPSF for some Cheto and tang heaven algea, some hermit crabs, star fish, worms and a pod farm, I also ordered some of their live sand activator. I had a lot of algea growth the first few weeks as it burned off some initial phosphate, the last couple of weeks it has slowed down a lot.

This weekend I cleaned out some algea and now that I could see the rock I found a fairly large aiptasia anemone on one of the rocks, it was close to 3/4 in tall and about the size of a dime. I immediately removed the rock from the system. Much to my chagrin when I went down tonight I found one about half the size growing on the side of the acrylic tank. :headwally:

I have two questions, any guesses where they could have come from, I purposely avoided live rock in part due to not wanting aiptasia?

My second question is if anyone has a suggestion how to best remove the one attached to the tank and best avoid spreading them?

Ok I have a third question, what are the odds I can keep them out of the sump and eventually the DT?

 

[dorkymk3]

Most likely came from the cheato. Best time to add a peppermint shrimp but if you only see one try using lemon juice then when it shrinks siphon it out when doing a water change. Make sure you are careful because disturbing it will further seed your tank.

 

[pscheel]

I would bet it came in with the IPSF order. Mainly the chaeto and live sand activator.

I would turn off all the pumps and start a siphon. Take a razor blade and carefully remove the aiptasia and let the siphon suck it up.

Maybe some peppermint shrimp to keep them at bay.

Good luck

 

[pscheel]

Most likely came from the cheato. Best time to add a peppermint shrimp but if you only see one try using lemon juice then when it shrinks siphon it out when doing a water change. Make sure you are careful because disturbing it will further seed your tank.

I would epoxy over them. Lemon juice sometimes makes the problem worse.

 

[phillipw]

Thanks for the reply, you gave me another idea, since it is midway up on the wall I can drain the refugium half way until it is out of the water and then go with your plan.

Who would have thought they could come on on Cheato. I'm also surprised they are growing so fast. I have been out of the hobby for ten years but I don't remember them growing this fast in my last tank.

 

[phillipw]

I would epoxy over them. Lemon juice sometimes makes the problem worse.

The only one I see now is on the side of the tank