Biocube 14 build

[-Ethan-]

Originally Posted by joy13

Thanks I can't get that around here so I will have to get it off line.

I didn't realize how strong it actually was until a tried removing my hammer coral from its frag mount. It hardens like cement!

[-Ethan-]

So I repositioned my LR during my water change yesterday attached my hammer to the LR. Found out I have a colony of some sort of small shrimp inhabiting my tank!!! Also found another one of these small anemone looking things growing... any idea what this is?

[redsea]

Very cool about the shrimp! The anemone could be aptasia (or however you spell it, LOL). You can get rid of it with many methods, but I used a Peppermint Shrimp to get rid of mine. Keep in mind, Peppermint Shrimp will only eat smaller ones though.

[tlkng1]

Redsea is correct..that looks like Aiptasia . There is a substance out called Aiptasia-X which could/should be available at your LFS. Another method is Kalkwasser (Kalk). 2 tablespoons water to one tablespoon Kalk powder..mix well into a thin paste. Turn off anything that makes the water move, filters, powerheads etc. Suck up the mixture into the syringe and then carefully coat the aiptasia and its hole with the mixture. This is kind of an important point and shoot operation as concentrated Kalk may also kill other corals and such if the mixture lands heavily enough. You are going to see what looks like a white powder. The aiptasia wil immediately retract as soon as it senses anything nearby but coating the hole will be enough to kill it. Leave your filters and such off for fiftenn minutes and then turn back on. What Kalk blows around the tank won't hurt anything..it isn't concentrated enough at that point.

If you get the concentrated Kalk on something else, just blow it off gently with something..like you would when clearing dust and such off of liverock...it doesn't kill immediately.

As for Peppermint shrimp..it is a 50/50 shot. From what I understand, there are different versions of Aiptasia in the Atlantic and Pacific. If the Peppermint shrimp are from one area and the Aiptasia you have are from another, the Pepps won't recognize it as a food source. If you have the tank room it can't hurt to try but Pepps are not always successful. If you know for sure wher ethe liverock came from, the Atlantic version of the Aiptasia actually doesn't reproduce like the Pacific version. The LFS I get my liverock from aquacultures it in Florida. I have one Aiptasia that arrived with it and even after 6 months, I still only have that one. I have let it "live" since it is cooperating and not taking over the tank.

I have been on the hunt before though and had to eradicate 4 on other rock before putting it in the main display. That rock was a transfer from a friend's tank.

[-Ethan-]

Changed my LR around slightly on my last water change. Here's some new pics! Check out the awesome shells my hermits are finally in! On a sad note my twin spot and maroon clown died of ich. black and white clown is in a hospital tank till I'm 100% sure he's ok.

[SwimsWithFish]

I like it!