Aiptasia question

I wasn't really sure where to put this question so I figured this would be a good place but I am currently accumulating quite a bit of aiptasia in my tank and about 80% of it is on my power heads. I'm thinking about getting a copperbanded butterfly this weekend because I like them plus they eat this stuff but my question is I was thinking that if I just take each of the power heads out and soak them in vinegar for an hour or two if this would kill them or not? I figure it would be a cheap way to knock most of them out quickly. I'm used aiptasia X and it would kill them but they would always come back with more. I was like I'd soak them with X and then they would come back twice.

 

Soak them in vinegar yes an hour should do.Make sure to scrub them thoroughly afterwords to remove all tissue.Take pics of your system if you can.
Be carefull not to tear them as this can cause infestations to occur.
Copperband Butterfly's are difficult to acclimate to prepared foods.
Very poor success rate probably due to diet.

 

Sure soaking the powerheads in diluted vinegar will kill the aiptasia.

In my opinion you're better off going with peppermint shrimp than a CBB. CBB are sensitive fish, make sure you get a fat one that is eating a variety of foods.

 

+2

The CBB usually doesn't survive long enough to eradicate an aiptasia infestation. Peppermint shrimp (if you must add a predator) are a far better option. Just keep a close eye on small anemones and LPS corals.

 

yeah, i'd vote for the pepps. When they eradicate your problem, return them to your LFS for a credit.

 

I've had a ton of luck with AiptasiaX from Red Sea. I had a few pop up before and that stuff took care of it. And it comes with enough to take care of any that will pop up in the future. You're lucky most of it is on your powerhead, that's an easy fix. I would even wash the powerhead in bleach to make sure the stuff is dead lol. But vinegar is the safer and sure way as well to kill them.

 

Ok, thanks for the input. Idk, I've just been Leary of the peppermint shrimps because I'm afraid they would take liking to my LPS, I also have a coral banded shrimp and I have a feeling that they would disappear quickly in my tank before they had a chance to eat them all. I've had pretty good luck with finicky fish in the past so that's why I thought about giving a CBB a try instead. I wouldn't buy one unless I saw it eat at the store just to save on my troubles.

 

Being finicky isn't the problem- the CBB will eat (and require) a variety of foods. The big issue is that they're so easily stressed. Seeing one eat in captivity first will be a major plus. With proper handling and acclimation, it may work out for you. Good luck, and post some pics.

 

+1, CBBS are very very delicate, how big is your system? i have a CBB that could not care less of my larger apitasias. i agree with the others who suggest peppermints, they are easier to care for and thorough in cleaning apitasias.

 

if you do decide to get a CBB i would ease it to prepared foods by offering it opened clams at first. took me a week to get mine to eat the stuff i feed the rest of my fish. if you make your own fish food like i do then i would strongly recommend throwing in the recipe several clams.