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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

help me choose a laser for burning reef pests

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Jul 10, 2012
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3w laser with a 1 min cycle....2.4 w laser with a 2-3 min cycle time...or a 2.2w with a 1 min cycle time...they are all within $100 of eachother....:beer: thanks for all replies
 





ARG

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You only need 1W for pests IIRC. Go for something with a lower power, and longer duty cycle, I think that would be best for burning those pests.
 
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I use a 1.2W 445 to kill snails in my fresh water tank. It is more than enough to boil them in their shells, often with a satisfying "POP!"

When properly focused I can etch the plumbing at the back of my tank... through the front glass, a distance of 18 inches.

You NEED high quality protective glasses to cope with all the refections. The reflected beam has enough power to give you a good burn on bare skin... It definitely has more than enough power to burn a hole in the back of your eyeball.
 
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do you worry about the fish going blind with the weaker lasers ,since you have to use longer burn/cycle time? im hoping that with a powerful laser (>2.2w) that it will burn faster so there is less risk for the fish...
 
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I use a 1.2W 445 to kill snails in my fresh water tank. It is more than enough to boil them in their shells, often with a satisfying "POP!"
:cryyy:

The Responsible Fishkeeper's Manifesto

1) For each aquatic species, there exists a set of accessible conditions (minimum aquarium size, companions, water parameters, nourishment, etc.) in which it can be properly maintained in captivity without loss of its general quality of life.

2) For each aquatic species, there exists a set of accessible procedures to develop commercial breeding programs, or controlled harvesting programs, so as to guarantee sustainable development for the aquarium trade without long-term threat to the wild populations.

3) Responsible fishkeeping is based on seeking, learning, developing and promoting awareness of these conditions and procedures, such that our amateur or professional practice of the hobby does not occur at the expense of our captive pets' well being, nor in detriment to the ecosystem.



I'm not saying it's wrong to kill a pest that threatens another species in your tank, but I've never seen snails in such light.
 
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I feel that you are somehow implying that I am an Irresponsible Fishkeeper.

Are you really whining about me killing nuisance snails breeding out of control in my tank by using a laser? I'm guessing that they are put out of their misery fairly quickly by this means.
The alternate method is to crush them against the glass. I'm pretty sure most survive the initial shell destruction, then fall to the substrate still living to be to be picked to pieces by shrimp and tetras.
 
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people who dont have aquariums just dont understand how bad some of the nuisances can be. your killing the pests so the fish/inverts can live happier lives
 
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I won't pretend the snails that I'm nuking are detrimental to my animals or even harmful to my plants. Planorbis and Physella gyrina are just plain ugly, breed like crazy, and do nothing to benefit the tanks.

If it makes the hippies feel better... I also keep nerites, Makaysian trumpets, and assasin snails in all of my tanks . These snails I love. They are all beneficial and very welcome inhabitants.
 
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I've been keeping fish for over ten years, it has been my hobby before lasers for a long time.

Both of the species you said you kill aren't ugly, at least not uglier than trumpets because I keep all three. And yes I have killed a pest snail via laser, and I know shell crushing is more effective, it's a near immediate death since you squish them, if you do it right they die immediately. Lasering takes time, leaves them intact, and I'm sure from personal experience you know that burning is one of the worst kinds of pain.

Lasering to kill snails isn't effective or human, the one time I did it I felt terrible. These aren't like insects invading your home, they are only there as a byproduct of the hobby, its only fair to at least be humane about it.

Plus those snails, they break down take waste very well for the plants to feed on the nutrients, they're a great intermediate step.
 
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Pretty sure he just wants to buy the 3W laser and is looking for someone to help him justify the purchase. LOL. I have already explained that for this purpose the 1-1.4W laser would be ideal considering you will need LONG duty cycles to take care of everything. That and 1W is still a CRAP LOAD of power. It is very frustrating to me how so many noobs lately are seeing a couple 3W lasers being built and all the sudden a 1W laser is no longer good enough. As if 1W has no power.
 
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Pretty sure he just wants to buy the 3W laser and is looking for someone to help him justify the purchase. LOL. I have already explained that for this purpose the 1-1.4W laser would be ideal considering you will need LONG duty cycles to take care of everything. That and 1W is still a CRAP LOAD of power. It is very frustrating to me how so many noobs lately are seeing a couple 3W lasers being built and all the sudden a 1W laser is no longer good enough. As if 1W has no power.

actually, im not getting the 3 watt laser. i agree with you on cycle time so im having lazeerer build me a 2.4w with a 3 min run time. there are threads on reef central with people that have tried 1-1.4w lasers and 2.4w lasers for this purpose. everyone that has tried both lasers say (>2w) is the way to go. the pest im trying to eliminate are called aiptasia and if you dont kill them has quickly as possible they spread and re-grow,taking over your whole tank killing corals/fish. So,i know that 1w lasers are powerful and can kill the pest,im just not sure they can burn fast enough to eliminate the spreading.
 
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I have already explained that for this purpose the 1-1.4W laser would be ideal

then you also said that the higher power would burn faster, which is what i need. If the aiptasia and bubble algea feel like there being attacked they will release their spores and take over my tank. im not willing to take a chance 5.jpg
 
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I've yet been able to find a good explanation on "wont it blind the fish" ?
 




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