Use of Lasers in Controlling Pest Algae and Corals
- Thread starter CalmSeasQuest
- Start date
Is there any cap for the wicked laser that can adjust the beam? I shot across to the tempature sensor on the back of my tank, approx. 24" to see what I could raise it to. With the full charge and full power, I raised it from 77' to 86-88'. It seems thats not enough increase to make an impact. Is my Arctic Laser a bad purchase?
CalmSeasQuest
Active member
I'm not familiar with that model, but 2 watts should be enough to gain results assuming you're able to focus it. The focus is absolutely critical for this use. I've found that even the most powerful laser will be ineffective if the beam endpoint isn't focused to a very small dot.
You can use the "sizzling and popping" sound as an indicator you've achieved the correct focus.
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The tips that came with the laser are just the straight beam and several novelty pattern tips. None are an adjustable focus tip.I did some expermenting with the intensity of the beam. While holding the laser, ran my other hand across the beam. I found that I could stop my hand for a couple of seconds before feeling the heat of the beam. I haven't gotten the sizzling sound yet.
CalmSeasQuest
Active member
I'm afraid that laser will near useless for our purposes. You need variable optics that can finely focus the beam endpoint - literally to the size of a pinhead.
If correctly focused, it would have instantly start burning your flesh if you placed your hand in front of it. Perhaps you can order optics for it?
Whiterabbitrage
New member
My first laser was an arctic Wicked Laser. It would not destroy any pest. It would not focus its beam. It came with decorative lens only, nothing useful. I asked around Wicked Laser and other laser experts and lens experts and was told there was no way to buy or build a focusing lens for their laser. Ended up having to buy another laser from someone else. Luckily other lasers are way cheaper.
Wicked Lasers equals Wicked Ripoff
Whiterabbitrage
New member
If I were to buy one laser for reef use, I would go to LaserPointerForums dot com and ask around. A hobbiest there built mine and the did a great job for $80.
Looks like I am going down the same road. I bought an Arctic laser also. Did you have any better luck with the aftermarket focus tip working or what was your ending solution ?
olemiss reb
Molon Labe
I have the 501B and 502B from SciFi laser and both are focusable. My 502B peeks at 2404.6mW and makes short work of Aips. The 501B kills them as well but not as quickly.
http://www.sflasers.us/445nm_-_Blue/cat2035128_1863030.aspx
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/vYsITP0S9xA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
http://www.sflasers.us/445nm_-_Blue/cat2035128_1863030.aspx
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/vYsITP0S9xA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
This all reminds me of the movie Real Genius. Next thing you know, popcorn will be filling up your aquarium.
It's all very interesting but the main concern would not only be the dangers but the time involved in trying to eradicate a pest. If I have a full on Aiptaisa outbreak I run much less risk by using a filefish than a laser. Also, the filefish will get the aiptasia that I can't see meaning it's considerably more effective at control.
I'll still tune in to see how things go but it does seem a pretty ineffective way to do things. Just my $.02.
It's all very interesting but the main concern would not only be the dangers but the time involved in trying to eradicate a pest. If I have a full on Aiptaisa outbreak I run much less risk by using a filefish than a laser. Also, the filefish will get the aiptasia that I can't see meaning it's considerably more effective at control.
I'll still tune in to see how things go but it does seem a pretty ineffective way to do things. Just my $.02.
The problem is that mine is a reef tank and some of the solutions that will work on the aiptasias (fish, peppermint shrimp, etc.) will also eat the corals in the tank. We have tried the Bergia Nudibranchs several times but never had any luck.
Whiterabbitrage
New member
Update of my laser experiences, yours may differ.
*Aipasia, effective if you can fry them down to the base. They retract to hide. If they can hide their base from you they will survive. Plus there are always some behind the rocks you can reach no matter what.
* Xenia, amusing at first due to sizzling but ultimately a waste of time. You would need to cut them with scissors first then fry the base fully. Since the Xenia are light colored they don't absorb the heat as much as other things do and it takes longer.
*Valonia, does not absorb blue laser much. Red would be more effective I think. I can see something going on inside the ball but they don't die.
*Bryopsis, uneffective.
*Bristleworms, works only on those you can corner. Pantyhose traps still work best.
Altogether, I'd say it was a fun experiment that was worth trying but sadly, I feel its a dead end. It does kill pests, but only those you can see and aim at, which in a reef tank,as we all know, is a very small percentage.
*Aipasia, effective if you can fry them down to the base. They retract to hide. If they can hide their base from you they will survive. Plus there are always some behind the rocks you can reach no matter what.
* Xenia, amusing at first due to sizzling but ultimately a waste of time. You would need to cut them with scissors first then fry the base fully. Since the Xenia are light colored they don't absorb the heat as much as other things do and it takes longer.
*Valonia, does not absorb blue laser much. Red would be more effective I think. I can see something going on inside the ball but they don't die.
*Bryopsis, uneffective.
*Bristleworms, works only on those you can corner. Pantyhose traps still work best.
Altogether, I'd say it was a fun experiment that was worth trying but sadly, I feel its a dead end. It does kill pests, but only those you can see and aim at, which in a reef tank,as we all know, is a very small percentage.
I ordered up the one from Laserpoint with the focus lens, so will see when I get it.
trueblackpercula
New member
So do the aptasias come back at all after treatment?
Whiterabbitrage
New member
Not if you can fry it completely down. The trouble is getting to the ones behind the rocks or the ones that hide their stalks. You must fry the base completely, every single cell must be killed, or the Aptasia will grow back. Also be sure to wear your eye protection. These things are weapons and can burn or blind you.
Av8bluewater
New member
I'm an airline pilot and have had 5 laser strikes. One of my First officers was lasered a few years ago and has permanent eye damage. And that was probably from the weaker astronomy laser but could have been one of these more powerful types. Either way it was miles away. I've been hit in the eye a couple of times with no damage. So be careful folks.. I know it's been said over and over I just wanted to share.
Now...
I've been looking for a solution to vermetids. It doesn't sound like this will be the solution but maybe it could help me keep my population down. I would also use it for clove polyps, bubble and cotton candy.
I have a 215 gallon so it's impossible to get to some spots. I wonder if it would work against some cotton candy algae in cracks as well. One of my biggest concerns is my Naso Tang. He's very curious and always around so I would have to block off part of the tank/have some sort of shield for him. For the most part I crush the verms with tweezers and some long bent pliers that look like a surgeons tool. Most are just too hard to get too.
I know I'll never be able to get them all but at least I may be able to keep the visible areas in check. A side problem these things are creating is the turbo snails can't graze areas and cotton candy is growing in between.
Thanks for all the research.
A couple questions.
My tank is 30" front to back. Am I going to be able to get stuff in the middle and toward the back?
Any success killing cotton candy?
Can you put one of these in some sort of underwater housing? Like a camera housing.
Also.. just want to mention I wouldn't use my good camera to take videos or pics of the laser in action. Could get some sensor damage.
Now...
I've been looking for a solution to vermetids. It doesn't sound like this will be the solution but maybe it could help me keep my population down. I would also use it for clove polyps, bubble and cotton candy.
I have a 215 gallon so it's impossible to get to some spots. I wonder if it would work against some cotton candy algae in cracks as well. One of my biggest concerns is my Naso Tang. He's very curious and always around so I would have to block off part of the tank/have some sort of shield for him. For the most part I crush the verms with tweezers and some long bent pliers that look like a surgeons tool. Most are just too hard to get too.
I know I'll never be able to get them all but at least I may be able to keep the visible areas in check. A side problem these things are creating is the turbo snails can't graze areas and cotton candy is growing in between.
Thanks for all the research.
A couple questions.
My tank is 30" front to back. Am I going to be able to get stuff in the middle and toward the back?
Any success killing cotton candy?
Can you put one of these in some sort of underwater housing? Like a camera housing.
Also.. just want to mention I wouldn't use my good camera to take videos or pics of the laser in action. Could get some sensor damage.
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Shobloth
New member
If the sensor is metal it would reflect the light. You need something dark and the temp will rapidly rise
Shobloth
New member
There are waterproof lasers 2w + for divers... Kinda seems like a bad idea for divers and marine life but also very fun and awesome
Also, if your target is dark you'll be able to get it if you have a powerful enough laser. Make sure to get the proper glasses for your laser
Whiterabbitrage
New member
Av8bluewater, am sorry to hear about the laser hits to you and your friend. That type of reckless behavior is sickening. It should not happen.
As for your Vermitids, a laser won't help. Best thing I have found, that's quick and easy and keeps the numbers in check, is to squish the tubes by hand. There are also wrasses that eat them. Sometimes. But you have to be lucky. I got a yellow Coris to eat mine and he hasn't touched them. But squishing their tubes works.
As for bubble algae, laser did not work at all. Best thing for that is, using a fine syringe, inject each bubble with hydrogen peroxide. Works great.
As for clove polyps and cotton candy, they are too spread out, too bushy, so the laser is not a good choice for them either. I tried my laser many times on xenia and it takes foreverrrrrr. Not worth it and ineffective. Kalkwasser paste still your best bet.
Hope this helps? Would hate to see you waste your money like I did, getting a laser and then finding out it doesn't help. But if you still want to try, then let me say, yes, it will reach the back of your tank, and if you have to stick your laser in the water for some reason, use a plastic bag. I know it sounds crazy, but as long as the bag is clear, ( no color or opaqueness ) and is waterproof, it works.
As for your Vermitids, a laser won't help. Best thing I have found, that's quick and easy and keeps the numbers in check, is to squish the tubes by hand. There are also wrasses that eat them. Sometimes. But you have to be lucky. I got a yellow Coris to eat mine and he hasn't touched them. But squishing their tubes works.
As for bubble algae, laser did not work at all. Best thing for that is, using a fine syringe, inject each bubble with hydrogen peroxide. Works great.
As for clove polyps and cotton candy, they are too spread out, too bushy, so the laser is not a good choice for them either. I tried my laser many times on xenia and it takes foreverrrrrr. Not worth it and ineffective. Kalkwasser paste still your best bet.
Hope this helps? Would hate to see you waste your money like I did, getting a laser and then finding out it doesn't help. But if you still want to try, then let me say, yes, it will reach the back of your tank, and if you have to stick your laser in the water for some reason, use a plastic bag. I know it sounds crazy, but as long as the bag is clear, ( no color or opaqueness ) and is waterproof, it works.
