CR Member
In the hands of a trained person I think it is a cool solution. Like so much in this hobby you have to know what you are doing with what you have. This is a great example and timely warning for us. Thanks. I'll pay someone like Calm to destroy my pests for me but I'll will leave it up to the experts.
The OD4 acrylic (the most expensive square foot of .140" thick plastic I've ever purchased) should arrive next week so I can start working on the endpoint shield. While I'm looking forward to testing the underwater host, I'm finding extremely easy to work through the glass.
Today I cleared a large patch of Xenia that had grown from the side glass (where I allow it and GSP to exist) onto adjacent rock work. It took a couple of sessions (due to the 60 second duty cycle of my laser) to eliminate it. I've found it sometimes takes a brief additional lasing in a few days should any survive. Even with that it's extremely effective taking less than 10 minutes in total.
The testing on Valonia was also effective. I found that a few seconds lasing the entire bubble resulted in 100% kill rates. The bubble fades and dissolves over the following few days.
Bryopsis - I only had a small amount on a frag plug to work with, but although it seems tougher, also withers and dies. It takes a bit more lasing time, but it seems to have been effective as after a couple of weeks it has yet to return.
Although much of the discussion has "focused" on eradicating Aiptasia - I'm finding it incredible to be able to easily control Xenia and GSP. As many that have introduced them into their tank have found, it's very easy for both to get out of control. Lasers provide a fast and effective way to manage both.
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man. - George Bernard Shawpjr liked this post
I have had an outbreak of buble algae in my nano of just crazy proportions. If you need a "beta site" let me know!
Detroit's oldest large LED tank! Est'd Jan 2005, went LED June 2009. 6' wide 130g reef, Sunbrite T10 LED tubes (3xGen 3 and 1xGen 1), mostly SPS, but chalices, other LPS, and a few softies too.
http://pjr-reef.blogspot.com/
A small update - I lased a couple of larger Aiptasia about 2 weeks back and noticed that both were regrowing. I believe the regrowth was a result of my failure to gain access to the foot of the polyp. These polyps were attached to the stems of Frag plugs that were angled in such a manner I didn't have a "clean shot" at the attachment point and I didn't take the time to rotate them for better access.
I've had great success up to this point, so I believe it was a case of user error. The key to preventing regrowth seems to be super-heating the entire polyp. I believe having the highest power output / longest duty cycle laser provides for increased success. To that end, I ordered a custom made 2W+ 445nm laser with increased heat-syncing and a G-1 lens that should work very well for this process. It won't be complete for a couple of weeks, but I'll post updates thereafter. Here are a couple photos of the new laser design...
The addition of this 3rd laser will allow for alternating the lasers making quick work of any pests without being limited by duty-cycle concerns.
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man. - George Bernard Shaw
How is that powered?
All of the lasers I own use rechargeable Lithium Ion cells. They are inexpensive and easy to recharge. You can see the batteries and re-charger and the photo below.Originally Posted by MizTanks
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man. - George Bernard Shaw
I love technology! This is way cool CSQ!
Here's the latest addition which ships on Monday. The photo shows it's power output being measured using an LPM (Laser Power Meter.) More than 2.2W of 445nm should make quick work of most any pest.
This one has extensive copper heat-syncing that should also provide for a healthy duty cycle.
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man. - George Bernard Shaw
A2 Club Coordinator
You can bring that over anytime....hehehe.....
I'm still waiting on the results of the star polyp laser test!!!
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