Another option for red bugs

battplus said:
Alright, after reading this thread I decided to try after having redbugs return even after using Interceptor. Just like stated before I also do not condone doing this to your entire tank as it has not been tested to do so, but have grown tired of treating redbugs without success. Obviously they may return again as they are "in" the entire system, but this may be a resistance treatment?

I used a dosage of 2 level cups of tank water along with 0.5 ml of the "dip" or Bayer pesticide. I dipped them for 10 minutes and after did a rinse in 2 level cups of tank water without the treatment not wanting to expose any higher levels to the tank. I noticed immediately that the little red bugs started to fall off right away. No flatworms that I could see, but a few copepods killed immediately as well. As I placed the frag that was treated back into the tank, within 30 minutes the polyps extended again and the coral had minimal slime resistance from stress. I noticed also that the dead redbugs remained even after aggitation, but were soon swept off by the current.

So in closing, the dip treatment did work for approx. $12.00 for 32 ounces of concentrated pesticide.

Does it work for entire tanks? The label says extremely toxic for aquatic life, so I am not wanting to try yet. I am however convinced that this does work and with proper handling will be my new dip treatment for the new additions.

Please do not take this info. and run out and buy it just to treat your $200.00colony that you just got from divers den, I am just experimenting as well and with feedback from Whisperer I'll try to keep this one going to assertain any negative effects of this treatment. Just like Interceptor, someone had to go first and test it!

Whisperer - THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT!
Click to expand...

Again, I'm floored. That's awesome it's working so well. Perhaps someone should test if it kills AEFW eggs? I've never heard of any dip killing critters so quickly...
 
For the AEFW or eggs, so far the dipped frags did not show any signs, I'm sure it will work if they show up. I'll have to keep going along with Whisperer on this subject.
 
battplus said:
For the AEFW or eggs, so far the dipped frags did not show any signs, I'm sure it will work if they show up. I'll have to keep going along with Whisperer on this subject.
Click to expand...

What I am suggesting is that perhaps, unlike any other dip treatment for sps, this dip may actually kill AEFW eggs.
 
Eggs likely have selectively permeable casings to protect the embryo. It may be killed by extended dipping time but the coral may suffer as well. I manually scraped the visible eggs at the base of that milli. It is safe to say that repeated dippings of the same coral is surprisingly safe. The advantage is that one uses the same water in the tank making it equal in salinity, temperature, concentration of everything else...makes it less stressful. It is also possible to treat a batch of corals in a separate vat. I do recommend water circulation if this is done. Rinsing the coral after the dip is fine but it is ok if you forgot.
 
This is great info, and my compliments to those, especially Whisperer, for trying something new and keeping us informed.

To truly establish a treatment protocol, however, it would be nice to run an experiment - using the same species of coral with multiple fragments and test treatment varying times. We know it kills the bugs, and that's awesome. Next step is to try to find an upper acceptable limit that the coral will tolerate. This is going to likely require the sacrifice of a few corals. But, you don't have to test that Purple Monster or other high-dollar acro. Find some brown micropthalma or something and start off with a dip of, say, 15 minutes. Then test 30 minutes, then an hour, etc. It would be nice to eventually treat/test various species at the different treatment times too.

Well done all; keep up the nice work.

Cheers
Mike
 
ousnakebyte said:
This is great info, and my compliments to those, especially Whisperer, for trying something new and keeping us informed.

To truly establish a treatment protocol, however, it would be nice to run an experiment - using the same species of coral with multiple fragments and test treatment varying times. We know it kills the bugs, and that's awesome. Next step is to try to find an upper acceptable limit that the coral will tolerate. This is going to likely require the sacrifice of a few corals. But, you don't have to test that Purple Monster or other high-dollar acro. Find some brown micropthalma or something and start off with a dip of, say, 15 minutes. Then test 30 minutes, then an hour, etc. It would be nice to eventually treat/test various species at the different treatment times too.

Well done all; keep up the nice work.

Cheers
Mike
Click to expand...

Well said, I've started to plan a seperate system for myself for these tests. Having a control and then several different measurements of the solution. I will have to use some of my own nicer frags to test. Then possibly a test on fish, maybe damsels, but I will have to be very cautious on this as it would be inhumane and pointless to kill fish for no reason other than to see what it does. We'll see, with further talk and testing, we may have an active ingredient that can be narrowed to something less harmful than this pesticide.
 
Let me warn you now, my hunch is that the fish will suffer. Many insecticides attack the nervous system by paralizingly the organism (organophosphates), hence, the fish will likely be killed. This is just my inference, feel free to experiment. I do have ethical concerns, however. It must be said, though, that I know that corals do have primitive nervous systems and that was my basis on going ahead with this dipping process (I hate to call it experiment).
 
Whisperer said:
Let me warn you now, my hunch is that the fish will suffer. Many insecticides attack the nervous system by paralizingly the organism (organophosphates), hence, the fish will likely be killed. This is just my inference, feel free to experiment. I do have ethical concerns, however. It must be said, though, that I know that corals do have primitive nervous systems and that was my basis on going ahead with this dipping process (I hate to call it experiment).
Click to expand...

I think your absolutely correct on this. I am going to avoid testing this on fish and stick to just dipping the corals. Second day now and no sign of them returning to the treated corals.
 
CONFIRMED! i used the same dosing amount as battplus did. AND, i only dipped for 5 minutes. i noticed within 45 seconds or so, if you squirt some water the red bugs fall right off. within 15 minutes after the dip, the polyps are out again! woohoo. $12 WELL SPENT for 40OZ. this should last about 100 years. lol

MR Whisperer:::: if i were you, id ask for this to be a sticky, and edit your first post with the "2 level cups of tank water with .5ml of the bayer" as the method.
 
The method is very safe for corals there is a wide therapeutic range, so no need to modify as long as one does not exceed treatment exposure more than 15 minutes in the suggested concentration I mentioned. Have fun killing red bugs and AEFW with the same dip.
 
Eurobeaner-

That's awesome! Good to hear it's working for you as well. I agree with Whisperer on the dosing, I used the above dosage but you could use more depending on how serious the infestation as long as it does not exceed 15 minutes dipped. I prefer using the dose that worked well for me and seemed to be the minimal amount without stressing the coral. Again, awesome job and good luck with further killing of these annoying little creatures!

Whisperer.....I just wanted to extend a thank you to use for being the first to test this method and to place your tank and corals at such risk. It seems that this method is indeed turning out to be a new treatment for the eradication of these nuisances we have aquired in the hobby. Do you have any updates on your tank since treating?
 
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I thank the local vets who refused to sell me the interceptor. It is very expensive and seems that some red bugs are resistant to it. I still wish diarrhea upon them :D.
My corals are showing no signs of red bug and AEFW. I am dipping any that shows signs without hesitation. I lost no fish, crustacean nor coral. Keep in mind I did not treat the whole system and I strongly recommend against it. The corals have better polyp extension and showed no change in coloration. Again, my hunch is that dipping time longer than 15 minutes (10 min will be sufficient), may result is coral distress. Also, do not shake the corals vigorously or squirt water against them to dislodge the red bugs, this may result in temporary tissue bruising but not lethal to the coral. It will recover. Happy reefing everyone!
 
You'll probably see your corals get even better color now. The acro's I have that had rebugs on them colored up nicely after they were removed.
 
Not sure, I do however have an update. Redbugs have appearred on a small colony that did not have them before, all the frags and colonies treated have not had them return. Maybe a resistance like stated before? Not sure, will be dipping the remaining colonies and then I'll continue to update.
 
I continue to take pics and zoom them to look for red bugs. I have not seen any coral with red bug, so far. Previously dipped corals do have better polyp extension. Any coral that has red bugs will be dipped immediately.
 
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