Ready To Zap These Aptasias.

FlyinggFish · 10/01/2009, 02:06 PM

Alright so I have about 5 aptasia in my main tank. I am ready to do away with them, but the only thing that is hindering me is that they are somewhat close to corals.

If I use boiling water, will that harm surrounding corals around it?
If I use kalkwasser, will that burn or harm the surrounding corals?
What about lemon juice? How greatly to it impact the water in your tank? I'm just very scared that I will mess up the chemistry in my tank.

I used kalkwasser treatment once and ended up removing the kalkwasser sediment away from the area because I didn't know what it was. But I did see retraction with the aptasia.

Thank you so much. As soon as a get an answer I will started zapping the "mother fathers." Hehe

lmsmith · 10/01/2009, 02:12 PM

I just use boiling water and a syringe and inject the water into their body, not just near it. It doesn't bother the corals because it cools down by the time it reaches them (you only need to inject 2-3ml into each apstasia.

Whisperer · 10/01/2009, 02:14 PM

I find that injecting them with anything was ineffective. New one bud off even from a tiny remnant of the original one. I had success zapping them out of water using a red hot cautery. I know it's not an option for most. Good luck with yours.

BeanMachine · 10/01/2009, 02:30 PM

I've used the Aptaisia Control (red sea I think) many times. The residual paste doesn't seem to effect nearby corals.

FlyinggFish · 10/01/2009, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whisperer

I find that injecting them with anything was ineffective. New one bud off even from a tiny remnant of the original one. I had success zapping them out of water using a red hot cautery. I know it's not an option for most. Good luck with yours.

What is a hot cautery?

FlyinggFish · 10/01/2009, 02:32 PM

Right now with the supplies I have (water and kalkwasser) I wanted to try those first. If anybody has tried that and have had success, please tell me!

Chemistry Guy · 10/01/2009, 02:37 PM

I use kalk paste and inject it into their mouths. The trick is to be persistent. Zap them every day for a week until they're gone, then if you see a bud forming, zap it too! Have no mercy! I had a nearby ricordea get a little burned, but it fully recovered, just make sure none of the paste settles on a desirable coral.

Also be sure to watch your water pH, don't want to get too zap happy and raise the pH. The rule of thumb is stop if the pH rises 0.2 units.

gregsreef · 10/01/2009, 03:07 PM

I know its a common suggestion but why not peppermint shrimp? They will get rid of the five you see and kill all the rest that you dont see. Besides once the Aptasia is gone they make for a good addition to your clean up crew. Put at least five of them in there.

Peace!

FlyinggFish · 10/01/2009, 07:09 PM

I totally forgot about that; I guess I'll get some peppermint shrimp for now. I hope that works! Thanks everyone. If the shrimp don't work I'll do kalk.

Mathfreak71 · 10/01/2009, 08:11 PM

I haven't had any luck with peppermint shrimp eating the larger ones. I have my wife help me when it is aiptasia zapping time. Once I inject them, I use a gravel vacuum and siphon immediately. That way if it comes apart I suck out the pieces. Also, I figure I siphon out any residual kalk.

FlyinggFish · 10/01/2009, 08:17 PM

Sounds good.

10/01/2009, 02:06 PM	#1
FlyinggFish Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 1,042	Ready To Zap These Aptasias. Alright so I have about 5 aptasia in my main tank. I am ready to do away with them, but the only thing that is hindering me is that they are somewhat close to corals. If I use boiling water, will that harm surrounding corals around it? If I use kalkwasser, will that burn or harm the surrounding corals? What about lemon juice? How greatly to it impact the water in your tank? I'm just very scared that I will mess up the chemistry in my tank. I used kalkwasser treatment once and ended up removing the kalkwasser sediment away from the area because I didn't know what it was. But I did see retraction with the aptasia. Thank you so much. As soon as a get an answer I will started zapping the "mother fathers." Hehe __________________ Most women buy clothes, I buy corals Current Tank Info: Biocube 29

10/01/2009, 02:14 PM	#3
Whisperer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Punta Gorda, FL Posts: 4,020	I find that injecting them with anything was ineffective. New one bud off even from a tiny remnant of the original one. I had success zapping them out of water using a red hot cautery. I know it's not an option for most. Good luck with yours. __________________ The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten. --------- No one is born with intellect and age guarantees wisdom to no one. Current Tank Info: 120G reef, 30G sump, 10G QT tank

10/01/2009, 02:32 PM	#6
FlyinggFish Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 1,042	Right now with the supplies I have (water and kalkwasser) I wanted to try those first. If anybody has tried that and have had success, please tell me! __________________ Most women buy clothes, I buy corals Current Tank Info: Biocube 29

10/01/2009, 02:37 PM	#7
Chemistry Guy Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 70	I use kalk paste and inject it into their mouths. The trick is to be persistent. Zap them every day for a week until they're gone, then if you see a bud forming, zap it too! Have no mercy! I had a nearby ricordea get a little burned, but it fully recovered, just make sure none of the paste settles on a desirable coral. Also be sure to watch your water pH, don't want to get too zap happy and raise the pH. The rule of thumb is stop if the pH rises 0.2 units. Last edited by Chemistry Guy; 10/01/2009 at 02:37 PM. Reason: Eye kan spelz gewd

10/01/2009, 03:07 PM	#8
gregsreef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 109	I know its a common suggestion but why not peppermint shrimp? They will get rid of the five you see and kill all the rest that you dont see. Besides once the Aptasia is gone they make for a good addition to your clean up crew. Put at least five of them in there. Peace! __________________ What if there was no such thing as race or religion? Peace! Current Tank Info: 100gal tall BB reef with 125gal sump containing a 40gal refugium(4" DSB, Cheato, LR) 20gal propagation, 15gal skimmer and return ares. 2 x 250w Hamilton HQI.

10/01/2009, 02:12 PM	#2
lmsmith Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 323	I just use boiling water and a syringe and inject the water into their body, not just near it. It doesn't bother the corals because it cools down by the time it reaches them (you only need to inject 2-3ml into each apstasia.

10/01/2009, 02:30 PM	#4
BeanMachine Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 11,200	I've used the Aptaisia Control (red sea I think) many times. The residual paste doesn't seem to effect nearby corals.

10/01/2009, 07:09 PM	#9
FlyinggFish Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 1,042	I totally forgot about that; I guess I'll get some peppermint shrimp for now. I hope that works! Thanks everyone. If the shrimp don't work I'll do kalk. __________________ Most women buy clothes, I buy corals Current Tank Info: Biocube 29

10/01/2009, 08:11 PM	#10
Mathfreak71 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Marion, Illinois Posts: 253	I haven't had any luck with peppermint shrimp eating the larger ones. I have my wife help me when it is aiptasia zapping time. Once I inject them, I use a gravel vacuum and siphon immediately. That way if it comes apart I suck out the pieces. Also, I figure I siphon out any residual kalk. __________________ Hell, there are no rules here - we're trying to accomplish something. - Thomas Edison Current Tank Info: 75 gallon 3-sided starfire reef tank with 3 AI sol blues

10/01/2009, 08:17 PM	#11
FlyinggFish Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 1,042	Sounds good. __________________ Most women buy clothes, I buy corals Current Tank Info: Biocube 29