niQo Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 Just got back from the LFS and I'm thinking of purchasing fish from one of their tanks. However it has at least two very large aiptasia anenomes (I think). Needless to say, I am not looking forward to introducing that into my tank. Is there a huge risk getting this kind of pest by getting those fish? Link to comment
seabass Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 Don't worry, those fish won't introduce aiptasia into your tank. However, I wouldn't buy any rocks or coral from that tank. The only thing about it that would make me a little uneasy, is that they might not maintain their tanks as good as I might like. Link to comment
niQo Posted May 31, 2016 Author Share Posted May 31, 2016 Don't worry, those fish won't introduce aiptasia into your tank. However, I wouldn't buy any rocks or coral from that tank. The only thing about it that would make me a little uneasy, is that they might not maintain their tanks as good as I might like. No chance of small aiptasia cells free floating in the water? Obviously, I would use a net to get the fish out, but small contamination is pretty much impossible. It's the only LFS around and their tanks are not great, but supposedly they are pretty decent for fish. Thanks for your reaponse! Link to comment
seabass Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 No chance of small aiptasia cells free floating in the water? While I would hesitate to say there's a 0% chance, the chances are very low. If you are not satisfied with your local sources, buying online is also an option. I've switched almost exclusively to purchasing fish from LiveAquaria and LiveAquaria's Diver's Den (where they quarantine their fish for a couple of weeks). Link to comment
Clown79 Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 I wouldn't advise buying corals from a tank heavily populated with them but those tanks usually have other signs to neglect like cyano, hair algaes, dying corals. We have 1 local store and their tanks are deplorable-aiptasia, cyano, hair algae, thick scum on water surface...i don't buy from them. Lol. Buying fish is fine as long as the tank isn't like what i mentioned above, there are no signs of disease, no dead fish. Its almost impossible to avoid aiptasia. You can buy from reputable places and there can be a tiny one you can't even see on a plug, under the coral etc. If you do encounter aiptasia like most of us do, aiptasia x is an awesome product. Works everytime. Link to comment
niQo Posted June 1, 2016 Author Share Posted June 1, 2016 While I would hesitate to say there's a 0% chance, the chances are very low. If you are not satisfied with your local sources, buying online is also an option. I've switched almost exclusively to purchasing fish from LiveAquaria and LiveAquaria's Diver's Den (where they quarantine their fish for a couple of weeks). I've had good experiences buying online, but with a small tank the shipping is not always worth it, because I can't buy tons at once. There are some great stores 2 hours away, but I can't justify the drive and don't have the time right now! I wouldn't advise buying corals from a tank heavily populated with them but those tanks usually have other signs to neglect like cyano, hair algaes, dying corals. We have 1 local store and their tanks are deplorable-aiptasia, cyano, hair algae, thick scum on water surface...i don't buy from them. Lol. Buying fish is fine as long as the tank isn't like what i mentioned above, there are no signs of disease, no dead fish. Its almost impossible to avoid aiptasia. You can buy from reputable places and there can be a tiny one you can't even see on a plug, under the coral etc. If you do encounter aiptasia like most of us do, aiptasia x is an awesome product. Works everytime. They have one tank with good coral/anemone growth and colour. Some other tanks definitely have some algae issue. It's hard when there is only 1 store in 1,5 hour radius! Link to comment
Clown79 Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Tell me about it! I'm in the same situation as you. Locally I have 2 stores- 1 is horrible the other is ok but limited on coral selection. I have to drive an hr or more to get corals or shipped. I've never ordered online either. 2 small frags costs about $40 to ship! Link to comment
seabass Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 I've never ordered online either. 2 small frags costs about $40 to ship! And 4 small frags still cost about $40 to ship (cutting shipping down to $10 a piece). Most online vendors will even ship for free if you spend $250 or more. If you know other reefers, sometimes getting together a group order helps. Link to comment
Clown79 Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 The only reefers I know are on here. The hobby died here a few yrs back. Most stores have closed. I think the cost of equipment, livestock, and hydro here deters ppl from the hobby. Not to mention the limitations of availability of product. Link to comment
Alexraptor Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Personally I think Aiptasia as a problem is seriously blown out of proportion. I've had it in my tanks for over a decade, always been a minor nuisance and never a serious problem. For the most part I just leave them be and nix the ones that crop up in or near my corals. Though I can see how aiptasia could become a serious problem if you have a nutrient problem. Link to comment
niQo Posted June 1, 2016 Author Share Posted June 1, 2016 Tell me about it! I'm in the same situation as you. Locally I have 2 stores- 1 is horrible the other is ok but limited on coral selection. I have to drive an hr or more to get corals or shipped. I've never ordered online either. 2 small frags costs about $40 to ship! Luckily there are some local reefers I can order with, if it wasn't for that I'm looking at about $60 shipping... Not great! Personally I think Aiptasia as a problem is seriously blown out of proportion. I've had it in my tanks for over a decade, always been a minor nuisance and never a serious problem. For the most part I just leave them be and nix the ones that crop up in or near my corals. Though I can see how aiptasia could become a serious problem if you have a nutrient problem. I just prefer to avoid it if I can! I got vermetid snails very early on and if it wasn't for my inexperience (I thought it was a shriveled up zoa polyp) I would have been able to stop the spread, now I've got lots of them and that's with no PO4 and NO3 in my water... I'm worried what will happen as I raise my nutrients. Don't want the same problem with aiptasia... Link to comment
Alexraptor Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Curious again. I've got vermetid snails here and there, but they have never given me any problems. Link to comment
ReefWeeds Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Curious again. I've got vermetid snails here and there, but they have never given me any problems. The mucous strings can irritate corals. Generally, they're harmless. Link to comment
Alexraptor Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Yeah I know, but what I mean is i have never had the problem with them spreading throughout the tank. They seem to mostly confine themselves to just trying to over time clog up my skimmers and pumps. Link to comment
niQo Posted June 1, 2016 Author Share Posted June 1, 2016 I went from one (i think) to many. I'm guessing over a hundred and I really don't like the sight of them. I think it bothers me more because I have such a small tank. As far as I know they aren't annoying my corals. I just don't like how they look! Do you maybe have a wrasse that has an appetite for them? Link to comment
Clown79 Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 I have a few, never did any harm but I have heard when you get too many, they irritate the corals. I have heard ppl put a drop of coral glue on the tip and then the webs can't be released Link to comment
niQo Posted June 2, 2016 Author Share Posted June 2, 2016 I have a few, never did any harm but I have heard when you get too many, they irritate the corals. I have heard ppl put a drop of coral glue on the tip and then the webs can't be released Yeah, that totally works. I would just be glueing forever and probably still miss some. I wish there was a guaranteed natural predator! Link to comment
TurboBrick Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 The only reefers I know are on here. The hobby died here a few yrs back. Most stores have closed. I think the cost of equipment, livestock, and hydro here deters ppl from the hobby. Not to mention the limitations of availability of product. I don't think its a decline in the hobby that killed the local fish stores... It was the internet Link to comment
Hammerstone Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 I don't think its a decline in the hobby that killed the local fish stores... It was the internet its easy, there's wysiwyg, there are usually guarantees, better selections. You can get all the supplies you need and you don't need to leave the house. Link to comment
niQo Posted June 3, 2016 Author Share Posted June 3, 2016 its easy, there's wysiwyg, there are usually guarantees, better selections. You can get all the supplies you need and you don't need to leave the house. It makes sense, I would personally way prefer to buy local. I'm not really into super exotic fish or corals. For me, the pull for buying online is that things are half the price (or even less!) compared to my LFS Link to comment
TurboBrick Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 It makes sense, I would personally way prefer to buy local. I'm not really into super exotic fish or corals. For me, the pull for buying online is that things are half the price (or even less!) compared to my LFS I agree, I would love to buy all my stuff local. Unfortunately I need to stretch my reef dollars and the local prices are just to high. Link to comment
Clown79 Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 I'd rather drive to a local place, view their tanks and systems then buy online. I am a shopper that prefers to see the real deal because pictures are misleading. Unfortunately i have to source mowt dey goods online as the local stores are limited Link to comment
tarunteam Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 Don't worry, those fish won't introduce aiptasia into your tank. However, I wouldn't buy any rocks or coral from that tank. The only thing about it that would make me a little uneasy, is that they might not maintain their tanks as good as I might like. All of my LSF tanks have apistsia. I could literally not find a tank without one. Link to comment
Clown79 Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 They are a common issue, pretty difficult to avoid, like algae. I personally treat the ones I have and move on. I'd rather aiptasia then hair algae or bubble algae...easier to fix. Link to comment
niQo Posted June 4, 2016 Author Share Posted June 4, 2016 All of my LSF tanks have apistsia. I could literally not find a tank without one. They are a common issue, pretty difficult to avoid, like algae. I personally treat the ones I have and move on. I'd rather aiptasia then hair algae or bubble algae...easier to fix. I can see that, even more so if you can quarantine it. Link to comment
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