While I'm not a TOTM (nor any where close). I have been living with AEFW for 2.5 years. (from nov '10 according to my
photos)
My tank is doing fine despite it. Good growth, ok colours. It just wasn't worth the risk of a full tear down to dip everything, or something like a levinsole in tank treatment. The process of AEFW actually consuming your corals doesn't happen overnight. As long as you learn to recognize the signs of AEFW in your corals (change in colour, bite marks, etc). You can take appropriate measure.
Basting, fish, and the occasional dip keep things in check. It just adds an extra layer of complexity to your system. You have to stay on top of basting your tank with a turkey baster + maxijet on a regular basis. As long as you have fish that will eat them when they float free be it wrasses, clowns, damsels, or any fish you can keep them in check.
I tried a lot of wrasses over the years and I could never pin point if they were helping w/out me basting first and with my tank the size that it was one by they picked each other off until I only have my melarious which kept going down the overflow so is now in the frag tank.
With that said I do want them gone. I rarely buy new corals anymore so I'm not worried about reinfection and I don't like having to stick my hands in the tank anymore then I need to. When I cut my water changes back from weekly to 2-3 weeks I've had a harder time keeping a proper basting routine and have seen a rise in population. (The lack of wrasses in the DT may have something to do with it as well but I can't be sure). In turn I've gotten more aggressive with dippings as there are some new dips on the market that aren't as harsh on the corals so there is less risk in dipping.
