bubble algae/aiptasia removal. Pressure wash?

danieljames · 11/12/2006, 06:25 PM

I have a 75 that is completely overgrown with bubble algae/ aiptasia. It's so bad you can hardly see the rock anywhere. Will "cooking" the rock in the dark for a month or so kill all the aiptasia and bubble algae? Will there still be spores left over that will grow again? I have to decide soon, but i'm thinking about removing all life possible, and just pressure washing the rocks. It is that bad. Can i expect a full extermination of bubble/aips if i do this?

eyebedam · 11/12/2006, 06:41 PM

I have pressure washed rock before & didnt have any problems with doing so. Just dont get right up on the rock stay back about 14 to 16 inches or you will blow big chunks of rock apart esp if its fiji. Whater aips that are left will be small enough for a couple of peppermint shrimp to easily eradicate.

kryppy · 11/12/2006, 06:43 PM

If you are going to all that trouble, I would pressure wash the rocks and put them in the oven at 325 for 30 minutes.
Aptasia will survive in the dark for months if not years.

You could get some emerald crabs and a few bergia nudis
to clean up the mess naturally, but I would rather hear how the oven treatment works out.

danieljames · 11/12/2006, 06:44 PM

I want none left man. None. I suppose i could wash and then let dry. I don't mind reducing this rock to "base rock". Does anyone know if washing and then letting dry would completely remove spores and all?

danieljames · 11/12/2006, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kryppy
[B
Aptasia will survive in the dark for months if not years.
[/B]

I've read that as well. One thing i have noticed is i removed some rock from the 26 when i broke it down. I put it out in the cold (around 45 degrees) over night. I noticed almost all of the aiptasia fell off the rock and were laying on the bottom. I don't want any remains of bubble or aips at all though.

11/12/2006, 06:25 PM	#1
danieljames Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Franklin, TN Posts: 2,453	bubble algae/aiptasia removal. Pressure wash? I have a 75 that is completely overgrown with bubble algae/ aiptasia. It's so bad you can hardly see the rock anywhere. Will "cooking" the rock in the dark for a month or so kill all the aiptasia and bubble algae? Will there still be spores left over that will grow again? I have to decide soon, but i'm thinking about removing all life possible, and just pressure washing the rocks. It is that bad. Can i expect a full extermination of bubble/aips if i do this? __________________ "Humble pie....mmm mmm good"

11/12/2006, 06:41 PM	#2
eyebedam Is Sailing the Seas Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Mt. Juliet TN Posts: 2,039	I have pressure washed rock before & didnt have any problems with doing so. Just dont get right up on the rock stay back about 14 to 16 inches or you will blow big chunks of rock apart esp if its fiji. Whater aips that are left will be small enough for a couple of peppermint shrimp to easily eradicate. __________________ "There are many things you can refuse to do with a man. You can refuse to work for him, dine with him, or talk to him. But if he wants to fight, you have to oblige him." --Pat Buchanon “I’ve always believed that America’s government was a unique political system — one designed by geniuses so that it could be run by idiots. I was wrong. No system can be smart enough to survive this level of incompetence and recklessness by the people charged to run it." Thomas Friedman, NY Times Current Tank Info: 180 Gal plumbed in the basement with 200 gal sump. Decided to go aggressive from this point on.

11/12/2006, 06:44 PM	#4
danieljames Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Franklin, TN Posts: 2,453	I want none left man. None. I suppose i could wash and then let dry. I don't mind reducing this rock to "base rock". Does anyone know if washing and then letting dry would completely remove spores and all? __________________ "Humble pie....mmm mmm good"

11/12/2006, 06:43 PM	#3
kryppy Moved Down Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 869	If you are going to all that trouble, I would pressure wash the rocks and put them in the oven at 325 for 30 minutes. Aptasia will survive in the dark for months if not years. You could get some emerald crabs and a few bergia nudis to clean up the mess naturally, but I would rather hear how the oven treatment works out.