Killer Laser

[marlinmon]

I hate to rain on your parade, but a laser is barely any better, if even as good as, any other form of removal or killing of unwanted 'stuff'. I've had 2 different lasers, a 2 watt and a 3 watt. And yes, I could start a fire on a 2x4 with the laser, no problem. A 5 watt may work a little better, but the power isn't the real issue.

I got them to use on aiptasia. It does work... sometimes. The problem is, if the aiptasia (or any other polyp) is in a hole, you need to get the laser beam to go directly in the hole all the way to the bottom. Otherwise the aiptasia just grows back in 3 to 10 days. And from outside the tank, I'd say about 50% to 70% of aiptasia are anchored where you can't get at the entire animal (inside the hole).

The short version is, fun to play with, but not really a solution. If you go to Reef Central and look, I started the first laser thread over there 4 or 5 years ago and I was just as enthusiastic as you are here. But in time, I learned that it just isn't all you think it will be.

Welp works for my problems. Been using it for over a month and I've not been able to see killed aiptasia reappear. I don't have hundreds of them in my tank though, less than a dozen or so and in line of sight locations. Same with the snail pests and asterina stars (but my harlequins take care of those).

 

[Alfrareef]

I hate to rain on your parade, but a laser is barely any better, if even as good as, any other form of removal or killing of unwanted 'stuff'. I've had 2 different lasers, a 2 watt and a 3 watt. And yes, I could start a fire on a 2x4 with the laser, no problem. A 5 watt may work a little better, but the power isn't the real issue.

I got them to use on aiptasia. It does work... sometimes. The problem is, if the aiptasia (or any other polyp) is in a hole, you need to get the laser beam to go directly in the hole all the way to the bottom. Otherwise the aiptasia just grows back in 3 to 10 days. And from outside the tank, I'd say about 50% to 70% of aiptasia are anchored where you can't get at the entire animal (inside the hole).

The short version is, fun to play with, but not really a solution. If you go to Reef Central and look, I started the first laser thread over there 4 or 5 years ago and I was just as enthusiastic as you are here. But in time, I learned that it just isn't all you think it will be.

If you show me any other way of getting rid of Xenias and discosomas I would appreciate.

 

[Softhammer]

Awesome, but can anyone give me a firm answer on shooting these lasers through the glass? If it is no way, that’s fine but if I blast my 180 and it’s guts onto the floor I’m going to have to burn my house down to recover from it!

 

[Scrubber_steve]

If you're not convinced a laser "works" to kill pests take a look at this. You could light the wall on fire.

I'm wearing welding glasses.

I was going to say; be careful you don't take someones eye out with that thing

 

[jimbob928]

Please, please, please be careful with the lasers. It can do some serious damage to your eyes. It WILL reflect off the glass surface and can burn your skin or clothes. If the laser came with a cheap pair of goggles, throw them out and buy a good pair. Be sure to buy goggles rated for the wavelength of your laser. I ordered a pair of KXL-5301 from Kenteklaserstore.com. They are $200.
I have used the laser on 29, 40 & 180 gallon tanks with no problems. It will instantly burn Coraline algae off your rocks & leave funny patterns as it moves.

 

[Softhammer]

Wow.

 

[PaulH]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2018-Upgra...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
i paid 60.00 3 weeks ago. my reef tank has 1/2 glass. it works.

 

[Kent12456]

A WARNING ABOUT LASERS:
I have been using a laser for a few months. Picking off aptasias one by one and I seem to be slowly winning the battle. I failed using file fish/peppermint shrimp. As stated by someone else stated earlier in this thread, the aptasias who duck into a hole are hard to kill with a laser.
The point of this post is, after using a laser I can’t Stress enough how dangerous these things are. The beam bounces off of glass and acrylic. It’s hard to predict which way the beam will “ricochet” and you are focused on the anemone, not the stray beam of light. If you use a laser enough, you will take a shot into your eye, guaranteed. Lasers are a great tool. I’m not saying “Don’t buy a laser”, but be smart, clear everyone out of the room who is not wearing eye protection, and IMO you should invest in better eye protection than comes free with the laser. The bad news: A good pair of glasses/goggles will cost more than the laser, worth it. Be careful out there.

 

[Kent12456]

Please, please, please be careful with the lasers. It can do some serious damage to your eyes. It WILL reflect off the glass surface and can burn your skin or clothes. If the laser came with a cheap pair of goggles, throw them out and buy a good pair. Be sure to buy goggles rated for the wavelength of your laser. I ordered a pair of KXL-5301 from Kenteklaserstore.com. They are $200.
I have used the laser on 29, 40 & 180 gallon tanks with no problems. It will instantly burn Coraline algae off your rocks & leave funny patterns as it moves.

I scrolled up and saw your post immediately after posting on the same subject. I obviously agree with everything you stated.

 

[MarsRover]

I can’t believe anyone can just buy a 10W laser on the internet. So dangerous.

I’m also surprised y’all do it through the glass. I wonder if you will eventually get clouding.

I’d do a top down approach with a glass cup
or similar to get the nose of the laser under the surface so I don’t get disco balling off the waters’ surface....

Dangerous folks! Wear eye protection and make sure no one else is around (including dogs and cats....)

 

[mibwb]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2018-Upgraded-Blue-Laser-Pointer-Match-Pen-HighPower-Burning-Beam-Lights-Set-Kit/232760023710?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
i paid 60.00 3 weeks ago. my reef tank has 1/2 glass. it works.

Can this be any good or dangerous? According to description from seller... children amusement ….is it a toy??

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Melevs Ref has been doing this for a while. Has a youtube video on it too,