Aiptasia and freshwater

Osmosis should rupture the all the tissues once the aiptasia are left in the FW for even a short amount of time but I would leave them for a couple days and since you have racked up so many it will foul the water it sounds like.

Same concept as dipping or FW baths for fish with external parasites. FW rushes into the cells to create an isotonic solution rupturing the cells and causing death.

 

Well, I guess I didn't fully grasp the severity of the problem until you just described it. It does sound like starting over is the best way to go.

Oh, and aren't you the lucky duck - living in Hawaii - what a beautiful place. I am so surprised you have so many restrictions there but then again I assume that's how they keep their fish and reefs so beautiful! My very first snorkeling experience was in Hawaii and boy did that spoil me, I thought all places looked like that when snorkeling. We had sea turtles right at our ankles and the fish - OMG - gorgeous and huge variety.

 

Off with their heads

First time poster here, but full time reader! This forum has helped me troubleshooting hurdles in my learning process. I just started by 3rd saltwater tank. Previous startups were successful by using love rock and sand from established tanks so easy cycling, but this tank is tall and deep so I went out and bought some new live rock from my LFS....i added the new rock along with existing rock amd and sand from an established tank and was prepared to monitor the cycle. That was testerday and tonight i noticed the dreaded aiptasia popping up all over. Considering its only day 2 of my cycle I decided to start over and forego the expenses I had occurred l for the live rock and live sand. I drained it it and filled it with fresh water. I've cycled so many tanks, one more will not matter...

But this brings me to the question originally posted in the the thread..how long can the aiptasia survive in fresh water? hours, days, weeks? They have vanished by now from the sides of the tank, along with a few bristle worms who fled their homes to their sad demise. I know my LR and Live sand are all cooked but when is it safe to drain and restart?

Also I'm curious....I've maintained filtration and temp in the freshwater setup....is it possible that any freshwater bio filtration that may establish would carry over to the SW tank once I revert back to saltwater? or are the nitrifying bacteria in salt water completely different than those formed in fresh water?

Thanks again for all your tips so far!

 

Can I see pictures of your infestation? (not very often I get to say that!)

 

I have soaked a piece of rock for over 10 minutes, it not faze the Aiptasia.

After 3 or 4 days though I would be very shocked if there were any live Aiptasia though.

Both FW and SW first step nutrifying bacteria are called nitrosomonas, next the nitrobacters. I have often wondered if they are one and same or if the SW are cousins of the FW types.

Dr.Tim I believe has one product for SW and one for FW which leads me to believe that while both types of nutrifying bacteria are present there are substantial differences. Dr.Tim would probably be a good resource for this particular question.

 

I just got an email from the people at Reefs2Go and they're having a mad sale on peppermint shrimp. BOGO for $3.99 I have read and seen that peppermint shriimp demolish aptasia if they dont have other sources of food. For a small investment of $40 you could get 20 shrimp that over a period of time would demolish the aptasia in a tank.

HTH.