pest control experiment

[justahobby]

I noticed some hydroids on some zoas while I was feeding my aiptasia. I decided to shoot a little "food" on them and the droid polyps started melting away like it does to aiptasia. Today they appear to be gone. I also dipped the zoas in hydrogen peroxide for 5 minute to kill off some algae that was popping up. There were a couple droids on top that I had missed with the aiptasia x and it doesn't appear like they were effected by the H2O2. As a test I also put some aip X on a yellow polyp that opened back up today. So I feel more confident about it being relatively safe treatment around zoas

[FireWater]

Keep documenting. I have always been afraid to try stuff.
I have been extremely lucky when it comes to hydroids and aptasia and been able to avoid them. I know it will happen sooner or later.

[Boy]

I also dipped the zoas in hydrogen peroxide for 5 minute to kill off some algae that was popping up.

I had no idea that this was even possible to do without killing everything.
What exactly is your proccess just incase i has to try it one day. Do you dilute the hydrogen peroxide? What do you wash the coral/rock off with after?

[justahobby]

Well, the hydroids are repopulating so I am going to take care to ensure I blast every single droid w/ the aiptasia x.





I had no idea that this was even possible to do without killing everything.
What exactly is your proccess just incase i has to try it one day. Do you dilute the hydrogen peroxide? What do you wash the coral/rock off with after?


Mostly, I fully submersed zoas. All others I take care not to let it touch the coral. I use full concentration (3%) for at least 5 minutes. Sometimes I rinse, but not usually. If you are treating large rocks I would probably rinse.

Here's a recent thread about it.
http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?66061-Bryopsis-has-met-its-match

[Scream311]

I'm comparing my findings to yours and would like to view some of your documentation.

Any possible pics Justin ?

You've got my wheels cranking bud

[justahobby]

Sorry no pics. Most of my experience was in the 58g when it had caulerpa running rampant. I only dipped frags attached to small rocks and plugs. The only algae in my current tank came in on a zoa colony. I dipped it and later thought the algae had come back. But it's been MIA the past couple days. I'm keeping an eye out for it though and will document it if I have to do another dip.

[FireWater]

Any update Justin. How did the zoas take the dip? Any casualties? Take care of the algae?

I have some hair algae on a couple of frags that I want to take care of before going in the new tank.

[justahobby]

Only casualty I've experienced was with a triple dip. An Rx dip, FW, and then peroxide. It was overkill.... literally. I will stick to 5 minute peroxide dips from now on. Make sure the polyps close up nice and tight before dipping.

This dip is great for algae and it does kill mini brittles almost instantly, but I wouldn't trust it for pest control. A 30% solution might be better for that.

[FireWater]

Sounds good. I do not plan on using it for pest control as I do not know of any pests in the tank except my black and white clown.

When you say full strength. Is that straight up 3% peroxide? Or a stronger peroxide solution diluted?

[Texreefer]

I dipped a frag of Zoas a couple of months ago in perixide.. the dilution was roughly 50/50,, killed off all the algae and the zoas stayed closed for almost a week.. the Zoas are fine but the algae is back with a Vengance. from things I have read and seen.. I think a 60/40 dip favoring Peroxide for 3-5 min, once a week for at least 3 weeks, regardless if you see more algae or not.. is a good starting place if you want to end the issue for good.. just my input.

Disclaimer:
I have been know to be wrong although my wife doesn't know this so Ssshhh!
My intitials are MD Liesman. but i'm not actually a Dr.

[justahobby]

Mike, Are you dipping plugs or LR rubble?

[justahobby]

Come to think of it I had the same results with LR rubble also. Were the zoas freshly fragged by chance?

[Texreefer]

Mike, Are you dipping plugs or LR rubble?
I was dipping plugs.. the plugs seem to have the problems with algae

[FireWater]

If the algae is coming back then I do not know if it will be worth the time and possible damage to the frags. I plan on removing all bases and plugs and rubble prior to putting the frags in the new tank.

[justahobby]

Your experience is very different from mine so I'm wondering what was different in your case. Were the zoas open when you dipped? What type of zoas? People eaters? Did the plug turn white a day or so after the dip? It's possible that since your tank is new, the algae is just reinfecting the plugs.

[Texreefer]

The Zoas I dipped were just regular old blue zoas.. not palys... don't know what kind,, plug did not turn white but got some bright reddish pink areas... the ONLY algae in my tank is on these plugs