Aptaisia Question

[zbrusko]

I realize this may be a dumb question with an obvious answer, but all of the "how to kill aptasia" posts I see assume the rock stays in the tank. If I can pull the rock and let it dry out, will it kill the aptaisia? How about if I soak it in something as simple as RO water?

Thanks.

 

[KrisReef]

They may be immortal, but in theory a dry rock, or a chemically treated rock (Muriatic acid, or Bleach, or Hydrogen peroxide) might solve the problem just fine. The reason folks don't go dry or chemical is because it kills the other life on the live rock that is beneficial. But yes, it can work.

They are amazingly resilient, but they don't come back from a proper death in most cases.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

If you let the rock dry out, or put the rock in ro water, after some time I assume aptaisia will die, but so will everything else, all the worms and pods and micro organisms. The rock will then be full of dead organic matter, and it should be cleaned before going back into the tank.

 

[BryanM]

Unless its a massive outbreak I'd like to keep the rest of the rock alive.

 

[KrisReef]

They are easier to scrape and spot treat the area where they were attached if the rock is out of the tank.

 

[zbrusko]

Thanks. I only see one on one smallish rock. There may be others, but not that I can see anywhere. I’m going to dry this rock out & then give it a good cleaning in RO water & hope for the best.