Need help removing bubble tip anemones

Zone1090 · 2026-10-28T19:30:33-0400

I inherited 10 bubble tip anemones in my used waterbox x60.2. They're all fine and growing. But I want a heavy sps mixed reef. Im sure when i bought tank there were 7.
Anyways I've tried ice, wave markers blowing on foot, turn upside down no

luck. My rock is very porious and I can hardly see foot. Please help me

Decamicron Labs · 2026-10-28T19:50:37-0400

An unfortunate predicament. How long have you blown the wavemaker at them?

Zone1090 · 2026-10-28T20:17:49-0400

Tried two different ones.
Probably 30 minutes on each. I managed to upset them but couldn't see feet

slingfox · 2026-10-28T20:23:54-0400

Have you tried removing the rock from the tank? If you do so and hold the rock upside down the anemone should detach itself or you can just use some instrument to pry the anemone loose.

Alternatively, you could also use a length PVC pipe, put it over each anemone to block light and have it detach from the rock and climb up the pipe (to get closer to the light) as which point you can pull the pipe out of the tank.

fishguy242 · 2026-10-28T20:26:00-0400

fishguy242 · 2026-10-28T20:26:46-0400

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/safe-and-easy-diy-way-to-remove-nems.861213/

Zone1090 · 2026-10-28T20:48:08-0400

slingfox said:
Have you tried removing the rock from the tank? If you do so and hold the rock upside down the anemone should detach itself or you can just use some instrument to pry the anemone loose.

Alternatively, you could also use a length PVC pipe, put it over each anemone to block light and have it detach from the rock and climb up the pipe (to get closer to the light) as which point you can pull the pipe out of the tank.

What diameter pipe is have a real big one anemone

Zone1090 · 2026-10-28T20:49:14-0400

Zone1090 said:
What diameter pipe is have a real big one anemone

Just hold pipe over anemone

edsbeaker · 2026-10-28T20:52:19-0400

The DIY cannon (link above) Works great!

Silly clownfish · 2026-10-28T21:18:33-0400

I have had luck with the anemone cannon approach , but some anemones are sneaky and take several attempts to get them. I had about 20 in a 30 tank and it took a while to get them under control. Some just get into spots you can’t attack without hurting something you want to keep.

rbta = attractive aptasia

Reef Jedi · 2026-10-28T21:21:25-0400

fishguy242 said:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/safe-and-easy-diy-way-to-remove-nems.861213/

Nem cannon for the win!

Zone1090 · 2026-10-29T07:48:35-0400

Reef Jedi said:
Nem cannon for the win!

What diameter pipe ,how long? Do you just hold it over them?

ReefNutsThailand · 2026-10-29T08:00:51-0400

I have been in the same situation, from one then it's spread out

After took out by hand one by one and luck in bad situations I have to re-scape my rocks..

Gumbies R Us · 2026-10-29T09:38:31-0400

Zone1090 said:
What diameter pipe ,how long? Do you just hold it over them?

1/2" or 3/4"-1" pipes work. Depends on the size of your anemone.
For length? Judging off the photos I would say around 6inches or longer

areefer01 · 2026-10-29T09:48:01-0400

Zone1090 said:
What diameter pipe ,how long? Do you just hold it over them?

No, you don't. You secure the sponge, cannon device, over it. The idea is that it blocks flow and light. The anemone senses flow, and the light, and works its way to the pipe to get it. Once it attaches to the pipe you lift the sponge/pvc out as it is 1 unit and start with the next one. Rinse and repeat.

It may take a bit. It may not even work. You just secure it to the best of your ability and let the seconds tick.

areefer01 · 2026-10-29T09:50:17-0400

Also on the flow, it is also hours if not days. You point the power head directly at it. Not 100% power, but a constant stream of flow of enough power to have it constantly leading to one side. Gentle but firm if that makes sense. You leave this for however lot it takes until it gets it. Sometimes you may have to take 2 if you have them.

Once it starts to move you will see that you can reach in, get you finger or two under it, and gently lift it off.

D-Nak · 2026-10-29T12:08:23-0400

It also depends on how much you like the rock they're attached to and how much time you have, because the quickest way is to use a hammer and chisel and break apart the rock, but obviously you won't be able to re-use the rock. But if you need/want rubble for your sump or sandbed you'll have a lot when you're done.

areefer01 · 2026-10-29T12:13:19-0400

D-Nak said:
It also depends on how much you like the rock they're attached to and how much time you have, because the quickest way is to use a hammer and chisel and break apart the rock, but obviously you won't be able to re-use the rock. But if you need/want rubble for your sump or sandbed you'll have a lot when you're done.

This is actually a viable option. One in fact that I have personally had to do twice now. I tried the cannon in these cases and it did not work. One anemone was not falling for it or interested the other I could not secure the device. Flow didn't work.

Last resort I just pulled the rock, put it in a bucket, went outside, and busted it up. Put the rubble in the sump, rock with anemone in the refugium, and rest waste. We, hobbyist, just need to be careful and go slow as to not damage the anemone. But a good option.