question for the experts

Hello everyone,

I have been reading everything and anything and I can say that I have learned a lot but I am also confused.

I have set-up a 180 gallon reef tank there is no livestock in the tank yet as I am letting the water stabilize before taking the next step.

I was reading about Apstasia and I noticed That I have some small sprouts growing on some of the live rock I have in the tank.

My question is should I try to get rid of this before I put anything into the tank?

I was wondering how stable the tank should be before I put something like a peppermint shrimp in to rid the tank of the Apstasia or is there an easier way.

Do most people use a "cleaning crew" on a new set-up prior to any livestock being introduced?

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

a pic would help them out alot, and yes i'd add a clean up crew if its cycled! i like the idea of putting about half as much assuggested, then waiting for the algae to start growing good, and then adding another crew to keep caught up!

But search under aiptasia, and you'll read different ways! Basically injecting wither boiling water/ lemon juice or there's a product designed for it! it may be little feather dusters or a harmless version! Get a pic up if you can so they can ID it for you!

 

Thanks,

I will try and post a pic tomorrow or Monday

 

Those shrimp are delicate little things IME.

Given the state of your tank, I'd simply take out the rock with the aiptasia and nuke it.

I have NEVER had any in my tank except when I first set it up. I nuked that rock. Otherwise, you'll be battling it forever off and on. Better to be rid of it in the beginning.


Once cycled, I like to add the ENTIRE clean up crew all at once. I use reefcleaners.org and would recommend using their entire suggested list - they're very good at their job there. (all the "thares")

Some folks think those CuC are extreme in numbers and I remember several folks telling me to watch out for mass die-off... never happened.

But if you want to pay shipping twice, it's your call
I've yet to see an LFS have snails in sufficient numbers to not have to order them...

 

Take those rock out and just let them dry out for a month or 2. Because you try to kill them in the tank and they will spread like wild fire. I seen a tank the other day at a ladies house that had thousands. She said the tank was 8 yrs old and they had fought them and fought them. Finally they just gave up and waiting for the last 3 fish and a bubble tip to die. So if any way possible remove the rock with them on it.

 

The best natural defense against Aiptasia is Berghia Nudibranchs, as their sole diet is aiptasia anemones. Berghia Nudibranchs are non-toxic to corals and fish and are considered to be completely reef safe.Berghia verrucicornis, a nudibranch or Sea Slug is a natural and nontoxic predator to eradicate one of the most bothersome pest organisms in marine aquaria, aiptasia anemones (also know as glass anemones). They are therefore, the most perfect, highly desirable solution for aquarist. Aiptasia anemones can harm your reef by multiplying rapidly and aggressively competing for space by stinging your precious corals and killing them at their point of contact. This stinging can further cause a secondary bacterial infection which can spread and kill the entire coral. They are also notoriously difficult to eliminate.

 

If you only have a few then I do not reccommend Berghia, they will very quickly run out of food and starve to death. They ONLY eat aptasia, nothing else. If you are still cycling I would just pull the affected rocks and nuke them, it's 100% effective and won't cause them to spread throughout the tank. (if the aptasia feels threatened it can release spores). IMO that's the best option for now as cycle has not completed and there is no livestock.

EDIT: Also some pics might helps as they many not be aptasia

 

Thanks everyone,

This is what I was thinking as well "get rid of it before any infestation. Nuke at 100% for how long?

I think it is just related with one rock at the moment so hopefully it won't spread.

Here is a pic of what it is I am not 100% sure it is apstasia but it looks like it. Note this tank is only 2 weeks old so nothing will go into it for sometime.

I added some pictures of my set-up

Thanks for the help

 

Yeah thats aptasia, if its just on one rock pull it out and nuke it. Or this,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbk7mA5PuAQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

nice tank!!! really like the cabinetry ..and the large pieces of dead coral