Aiptasia?

[GSPClown94]

there is no way that anyone can avoid aptasia.

Speak for yourself. Just because you are unable to do something does not mean it is impossible for others.

 

[docscorals]

I haven’t had any problems with filefish. I have one each in three of my tanks and hasn’t messed with my corals (at least that I have noticed). I would try one or get a couple peppermint shrimp.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Speak for yourself. Just because you are unable to do something does not mean it is impossible for others.

Ok. I disagree. Aiptasia is ubiquitous and it WILL eventually show up in your reef. Maybe you dont see it but it will be there if it isnt already.

 

[GSPClown94]

Ok. I disagree. Aiptasia is ubiquitous and it WILL eventually show up in your reef. Maybe you dont see it but it will be there if it isnt already.

Lol aiptasia most certainly are not everywhere and is not guaranteed to enter everyone's reef tank eventually. That said it is very very very common to encounter in this hobby so sure if you just blindly toss anything in your aquarium then yeah you are likely to see it pop up in your aquarium eventually. But, you can absolutely add some additional steps like a basic visual inspection and a quarantine process that will significantly reduce the risk of introducing it to your aquarium. These things aren't microscopic, at least not as adults, you'll eventually be able to spot them if there are any during observation in quarantine. I'm not sure how small their larvae are but we can just assume they might be too small to see with the naked eye. The longer your quarantine process is the larger they will grow and easier they will be to spot if there are any.
Maybe you aren't willing or are unable to do those additional steps to prevent aiptasia from entering your aquarium, it is definitely more work and for most it probably isn't worth it. Also, it isn't the end of the world if you do happen to get aiptasia in your aquarium as there are plenty of ways to get rid of it or even manage it long term.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Lol aiptasia most certainly are not everywhere and is not guaranteed to enter everyone's reef tank eventually. That said it is very very very common to encounter in this hobby so sure if you just blindly toss anything in your aquarium then yeah you are likely to see it pop up in your aquarium eventually. But, you can absolutely add some additional steps like a basic visual inspection and a quarantine process that will significantly reduce the risk of introducing it to your aquarium. These things aren't microscopic, at least not as adults, you'll eventually be able to spot them if there are any during observation in quarantine. I'm not sure how small their larvae are but we can just assume they might be too small to see with the naked eye. The longer your quarantine process is the larger they will grow and easier they will be to spot if there are any.
Maybe you aren't willing or are unable to do those additional steps to prevent aiptasia from entering your aquarium, it is definitely more work and for most it probably isn't worth it. Also, it isn't the end of the world if you do happen to get aiptasia in your aquarium as there are plenty of ways to get rid of it or even manage it long term.

Thanks for that lesson. I don't care what you do to quarantine. Most people get aiptasia at one point. It doesnt have to be even close to microscopic to not catch it. You really think a visual inspection is going to find early aiptasia? Riiiight.

 

[GSPClown94]

Thanks for that lesson. I don't care what you do to quarantine. Most people get aiptasia at one point. It doesnt have to be even close to microscopic to not catch it. You really think a visual inspection is going to find early aiptasia? Riiiight.

Please reread my first response. Thanks

 

[MikeReefs]

Definitely possible to avoid aiptasia. Especially when removing plugs and adding your own. Visual inspection out of water while the coral is closed up is you best chance of spotting it if it is growing on the coral and QT will reduce these chances to almost nothing. Is it possible that eventually you will miss an extremely small one sure. As well as missing it after a long qt, I think those numbers are very small. Your chances of getting bugs or any coral eater is far greater especially when eggs are involved

 

[Scottiemac]

All it takes is one microscopic polyp that you miss in quarantine.

I used dry rock in my tank and every coral I added was carefully inspected. Then one day a few months ago I noticed a small aiptasia in my tank. Further inspection showed a minor infestation.

It happens. Unless you quarantine for multiple months you're going to get them in your DT.

 

[PointerReefs]

All it takes is one microscopic polyp that you miss in quarantine.

I used dry rock in my tank and every coral I added was carefully inspected. Then one day a few months ago I noticed a small aiptasia in my tank. Further inspection showed a minor infestation.

It happens. Unless you quarantine for multiple months you're going to get them in your DT.

True, I usually dip and inspect them and find many other things but have found 2 other aiptasia on new frags, after adding to display, but I’ve found them fairly quickly so I have avoided it spreading so far. Atleast so I think xD haha

 

[BubbleAlgaeFarmer]

I’m so sick of aiptasia. They haven’t caused a problem for me, but it’s whack a mole. I may not go a month or two and see none and suddenly three or four show up.

 

[IceNein]

I'm pretty sure you can add a peppermint shrimp. I have 2 of them and they took care of my aiptasia.

I'm pretty sure you can keep one in a 15, but someone correct me if I am wrong.

I added peppermint shrimp and they were good, except the aiptasia is also in my rear chambers, so the aiptasia only stays away as long as the peppermint shrimp are around. I'm afraid that I have some sort of predatory worm that picks off small crustaceans as they die off one by one in my tank while everything else is fine. I know I have a variety of eunice worm.

 

[IceNein]

I’m so sick of aiptasia. They haven’t caused a problem for me, but it’s whack a mole. I may not go a month or two and see none and suddenly three or four show up.

My ultimate plan as far as aiptasia goes is to buy some berghia once I have all the coral I want in my tank. I just don't want to spend the money only to add a coral that reintroduces them later.

 

[BubbleAlgaeFarmer]

I’m so sick of aiptasia. They haven’t caused a problem for me, but it’s whack a mole. I may not go a month or two and see none and suddenly three or four show up.

My ultimate plan as far as aiptasia goes is to buy some berghia once I have all the coral I want in my tank. I just don't want to spend the money only to add a coral that reintroduces them later.

I want to add more berghia but i’m scared the bumble bee snails will eat them. dang things already wiped out all my stomatella snails!

 

[IceNein]

I want to add more berghia but i’m scared the bumble bee snails will eat them. dang things already wiped out all my stomatella snails!

Oh man. I have a thriving stomatella population. I will have to remember that about the bumble bee snails.

 

[BubbleAlgaeFarmer]

I once did too. I had so many. They were my favorite just because they just do their thing and never cause problems.