[teajay33]

ok so i was trying to add up some things and make a list. the subject is natural things you can do to heal your reef.. for example peppermint shrimp and copper banded butterfly fish like to eat Aiptasia. so please post below other things that will heal things in your tank that might be a problem. anyone know anything that will kill/eat mantis shrimp?

[MattieFingaz]

The only "natural" way I've ever heard of getting rid of a mantis shrimp is a snowflake moray. You have to be careful of how big of one you get and of course your other tenants. I know my LFS sells traps that you can buy to get rid of them as well.

I've never tried either, just things I've heard around the campfire so to say.

good luck!

Mattie

[benesh10]

I would try the trap. Ive seen a couple different types. The copper banded butterfly is not the one that eats aptasia its just a plain banded butterfy just ( fyi ) not trying to be a smart ass. Sand sifting gobies are nice to add if your sand bed gets really dirty theyll clean it right up, carefull in a small tank though theyll quickly eat all the good stuff as well. A mag float glass cleaner is also like a huge necesity for keeping your glass clean. Hopefully some other people will respond with some cool ideas. Great topic for a thread.

[teajay33]

thanks so bristle worm eaters... arrow crabs and 6 line wrasse.. guess we can add those to the mix.


emeral crab eats bubble algae

[sarha]

my book says its the copperbanded butterflyfish but to stop the debate on common names we will use the scientific name the chelmon rostratus is the one that eats aiptasia anemones.

[barbra]

Would this category include chemical adjustments obtained by additions of baking soda, lime, vodka, etc?

[Fishhead Junkie]

i had a bad experience with my arrow crab. thing looked cool as hell, until i watched him grab my peppermint shrimp and devour him right before my eyes. then the next day he grabbed and ate my clownfish. i snatched him outta the tank and took him back. maybe i just had an "exorcist crab!!!"

steve

[teajay33]

Originally Posted by barbra

Would this category include chemical adjustments obtained by additions of baking soda, lime, vodka, etc?

sure barb, anything thats natural will work. i just figure this would be a nice thread for a newbie like myself to look at when i'm having a problem. lately my problem is cyanobacteria and diatom blooms. looks like cutting back the lights and adding more snails is doing the trick. nass. snails to mix up the sand bottom, nerite and turban snails to eat the glass.