Aptasia removal idea

[kzenoni]

I’m a contractor and pretty creative. I had 4 aptasia in my 350 gallon reef tank. Not being satisfied with anything I could find about the removal of them I started thinking about it. Devised a plan that I believe will work. I got my shop vac and with a few plumbing fittings dropped the hose down to a 1/2 clear tubing. Thoughts are suck it out and if it tries to spread that also will get sucked out therefore no risk of spreading. I took out three of them smooth as can be. Waiting and hoping it worked with no spreading. Would love to hear your thoughts on this process.

 

[WVNed]

I have sucked them out using a 1/2 in CPVC siphon. Some times they come out clean and sometimes they just come apart and leave part down in the rock and grow back.

 

[kzenoni]

Thinking the amount of suction produced by the vac through a 1/2 line is enough for complete removal. Got my fingers crossed but it looked pretty clean when done.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Nice thinking!

 

[kzenoni]

Nice thinking!

Thanks hope it works

 

[Glenner’sreef]

You know a Copper Banded Butterfly fish will eliminate them the natural way. Feed them at least twice a day. Beautiful fish! Have had mine for years. No aptasias. :)

 

[kzenoni]

You know a Copper Banded Butterfly fish will eliminate them the natural way. Feed them at least twice a day. Beautiful fish! Have had mine for years. No aptasias. :)

Won’t they get our corals tho?

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Won’t they get our corals tho?

No, they are real peaceful. I’ve never had an issue with mine. I have two medium size clams. Sps corals , Gorgonians, euphillias etc. all is well.

 

[Bluefish17]

You know a Copper Banded Butterfly fish will eliminate them the natural way. Feed them at least twice a day. Beautiful fish! Have had mine for years. No aptasias. :)

Do the copper band eat the bigger aptaisa also

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Do the copper band eat the bigger aptaisa also

They were the last to be eaten, but yes, I had 3-4 big ones.

 

[Hot2na]

forget the sucking idea..all you will do is spread them...then you'll have hundreds...

 

[kzenoni]

forget the sucking idea..all you will do is spread them...then you'll have hundreds...

If it fails I will try the butterfly fish

 

[Kato]

My copperband cleaned my tank of aiptasia too. Like _everything_ and there was quite a lot. But a finicky eater. Not really a beginner fish fwiw.

 

[kzenoni]

My copperband cleaned my tank of aiptasia too. Like _everything_ and there was quite a lot. But a finicky eater. Not really a beginner fish fwiw.

Thanks for the input, I want to find something to cure the problem but I probably have well over 100 corals in my tank and really don’t want to risk hurting them so reef safe is a must.

 

[mike550]

Thanks for the input, I want to find something to cure the problem but I probably have well over 100 corals in my tank and really don’t want to risk hurting them so reef safe is a must.

Keep us posted on your shop vac idea!

 

[RobB'z Reef]

dude.... your idea totally sucks!

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Thanks for the input, I want to find something to cure the problem but I probably have well over 100 corals in my tank and really don’t want to risk hurting them so reef safe is a must.

Reef safe to the max! For years! Zoom in on photo you’ll see CBB right in front of my grandson. ( must feed at least twice a day and keep the tank flow “moderate” as other fish will out compete these fish for food. Like Tangs and Damsels.

 

[kzenoni]

Keep us posted on your shop vac idea!

So far so good

 

[kzenoni]

Reef safe to the max! For years! Zoom in on photo you’ll see CBB right in front of my grandson. ( must feed at least twice a day and keep the tank flow “moderate” as other fish will out compete these fish for food. Like Tangs and Damsels.

Very nice tank . You running reef breeder lights ?

 

[kzenoni]

dude.... your idea totally sucks!

Yes sir most vacs do lol