Is it time to just start over?

jdewolftx · 05/22/2020, 07:54 PM

I have a 110 gal. display reef with LEDs that is about 4 years old. This past year it was over run by aptasia. I tried to combat it with natural predators but to no avail. Now I have many large rocks completely covered, including my return jets. To make matters worse, about 6 months ago I got attacked by dinos. I have tried dinox but this hasn’t really worked.

Should I just take the tank down and start over? Can I salvage the rock?i know the sand bed should be changed. Ironically I don’t have very much algae except some bubble algae here and there. No hair algae. Water parameters are not perfect but not way out either. I don’t have much coral, so I could transplant it somewhere. I am concerned about my fish however.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks,

Jeff

snulma1 · 05/23/2020, 01:40 PM

I think if your plan is to restart then I would use new rock and sand
Why risk having the same problem that caused you to restart

Michael Hoaster · 05/23/2020, 11:23 PM

What snulma1 said. You could scrub and beach disinfect the rocks, and reuse them as dry rock, mixed in with new live rock.

When you restart, get several peppermint shrimp in the tank before adding fish, to get rid of any aiptasia before they get out of hand.

dadnjesse · 05/24/2020, 03:45 PM

If you get new rock K P Aquatics guarantees to be Aiptasia free.
https://www.kpaquatics.com/product/a...red-live-rock/

jdewolftx · 05/24/2020, 09:49 PM

Thank you all for the input. Very helpful.

-Jeff

spsfreak25 · 05/24/2020, 10:18 PM

you dont have to start over. raise your phosphates and nitrates just a little this will help fight the dino. dino feeds off of a clean water(not enough p04 and n03). the aptaisa buy like 10-15 berghia nudis. their only food source is aptaisa and will destroy your population pretty quick and may even breed in your system if there is plenty of food

moondoggy4 · 05/27/2020, 08:06 PM

^^^^^^, When you put the Berghia in the tank, I will put them in a container remove the lid and let them crawl out on there own. Do this at night. It will take at least 3 months to get the ball rolling once it starts it is methodical and sure.

05/22/2020, 07:54 PM	#1
jdewolftx Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Flower Mound, TX Posts: 77	Is it time to just start over? I have a 110 gal. display reef with LEDs that is about 4 years old. This past year it was over run by aptasia. I tried to combat it with natural predators but to no avail. Now I have many large rocks completely covered, including my return jets. To make matters worse, about 6 months ago I got attacked by dinos. I have tried dinox but this hasn’t really worked. Should I just take the tank down and start over? Can I salvage the rock?i know the sand bed should be changed. Ironically I don’t have very much algae except some bubble algae here and there. No hair algae. Water parameters are not perfect but not way out either. I don’t have much coral, so I could transplant it somewhere. I am concerned about my fish however. Any and all suggestions are appreciated. Thanks, Jeff

05/23/2020, 11:23 PM	#3
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	What snulma1 said. You could scrub and beach disinfect the rocks, and reuse them as dry rock, mixed in with new live rock. When you restart, get several peppermint shrimp in the tank before adding fish, to get rid of any aiptasia before they get out of hand. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

05/23/2020, 01:40 PM	#2
snulma1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,281	I think if your plan is to restart then I would use new rock and sand Why risk having the same problem that caused you to restart

05/24/2020, 03:45 PM	#4
dadnjesse Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Raymond NH Posts: 210	If you get new rock K P Aquatics guarantees to be Aiptasia free. https://www.kpaquatics.com/product/a...red-live-rock/

05/24/2020, 09:49 PM	#5
jdewolftx Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Flower Mound, TX Posts: 77	Thank you all for the input. Very helpful. -Jeff

05/24/2020, 10:18 PM	#6
spsfreak25 I'm the real joker Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: worcester ma Posts: 187	you dont have to start over. raise your phosphates and nitrates just a little this will help fight the dino. dino feeds off of a clean water(not enough p04 and n03). the aptaisa buy like 10-15 berghia nudis. their only food source is aptaisa and will destroy your population pretty quick and may even breed in your system if there is plenty of food

05/27/2020, 08:06 PM	#7
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	^^^^^^, When you put the Berghia in the tank, I will put them in a container remove the lid and let them crawl out on there own. Do this at night. It will take at least 3 months to get the ball rolling once it starts it is methodical and sure.