Aptasia Killer

Joined
May 11, 2023
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Temple City
#1
Has anyone tried using a mixture of Calcium Hydroxide with Sodium Hydroxide to kill Aptasia? I just got some Sodium Hydroxide today. I know that the mixture will kill anything it touches. I tried just the lye(Sodium Hydroxide) alone today but it doesn't mix into a paste like it needs to thus the need for Calcium Hydroxide. The little bit I tried killed Aptasia so that it was unable to react and release seeds or whatever they're called.
 
Joined
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#4
If your intention is to directly apply to each aptasia, then I don’t know if it’s worth the trouble to mix substances etc. Joe’s juice is as effective as any at killing aptasia on contact, but the issue is the method. It’s not that effective to spot treat. It’s an uphill battle because it’s labor intensive. Nudes is probably the way to go but you need low flow. So it works great on softie and Lps tanks but not so good for mixed with sps.
 
Joined
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#7
I have been using the majano wand
Works great
I have one also. It doesn't kill them completly. When reading the instructions you're told to catch the 'stuff' that flows out of them. That's what then spreads the Aptasia. If I can get a good shot at the Aptasia and then hold the needle in the Aptasia and then catch the spores all is good.
 
Joined
May 11, 2023
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#8
I added 5 pepper mint shrimp in a 120gallon and it wiped out all my aiptasia.
I have purchased around 20 peppermint shrimp over the last few weeks. They do a great job! My refugium was lousy with them and within a few days it now clean of them. Same with my display tank.
My frag tank has 5 different wrasses that have killed some of the Peppermint shrimp so that's why I'm going to try the mixture I mentioned earlier. I'm getting some disposable needles tonight.
 
Joined
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#9
If your intention is to directly apply to each aptasia, then I don’t know if it’s worth the trouble to mix substances etc. Joe’s juice is as effective as any at killing aptasia on contact, but the issue is the method. It’s not that effective to spot treat. It’s an uphill battle because it’s labor intensive. Nudes is probably the way to go but you need low flow. So it works great on softie and Lps tanks but not so good for mixed with sps.
I'm trying this spot kill method since I have so many wrasses. I have 2 Nudes in the tank now and they are doing well. They seem mostly interested in the algae, which is fine.
 
Joined
May 11, 2023
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#10
Welp, today I did the deed. I mixed the lye with kalkwasser. 2 tbls RODI, 1/4 tsp lye and 1/4 tsp kalk. Made a thick slurry. Turned off all the pumps then had at it. 6 hours later and all fish are fine and none of the aptasia bounced back. No parts were floating around. I also got rid of some nuisence polups too. I will be going back tomorrow to find and destroy any survivors.
 
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#11
Just over a week has passed since I went after the aptasia. None have returned! I may not need my Majano wand any longer ;)
I went from having several dozen of aptasia in two tanks includeing refugeiums to none. I also used a lot of peppermint shrimp.
 
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