Couple Red Bug Questions

[coolcorals]

I've been reading all the excellent info and research on Red Bug treatment, and understand Interceptor is the only known cure.

1. Is Interceptor Brown (dog 2-10 lbs) same as Interceptor White (51-100 lbs), just with 1/10 Milbemycin Oxime? Only need to treat 40g.

2. I plan to set up a QT for shrimp/crabs. I was thinking to take out some LR, snad and cheato from my main (infected) tank and put in QT. I'd leave it in QT for 2-3 weeks, then reintroduce. Since RBs only live 3-5 days w/o Arcos, I assume they'd all die. Or will I reintroduce the RBs?

 

[coolcorals]

No thoughts? Only interested in #2 now, since I just ordered the Brown.

 

[tankaddict]

you should be good, just make sure there isn't any traces of your acros on the live rock. When I had red bugs I took out all sps and treated them in a 5 gal bucket with an over dose of interceptor for 12 hrs. Haven't seen any red bugs for a month and all coral are doing good. now I do have some algae though..

 

[Eurobeaner]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1965880

 

[coolcorals]

you should be good, just make sure there isn't any traces of your acros on the live rock. When I had red bugs I took out all sps and treated them in a 5 gal bucket with an over dose of interceptor for 12 hrs. Haven't seen any red bugs for a month and all coral are doing good. now I do have some algae though..

Thanks for the response. I'd like to remove the Acros and dip, but a couple are well encrusted, so may be impossible to remove for treatment.

If I treat the whole tank, which is probably my only option, but I'd like to try to salvage some of the pods and other life to repopulate tank. QT would be without SPS and out of main tank for 3-4 weeks, so I'm hoping thered bugs would "starve" because of lack of food (Acros).

I just surprised there's not more decision on this topic, because it seems easy to share and only Interceptor, which appears to be rarely used as part of QT or dipping process, is only known "safe cure".

I dipped some Acros in Revive. It seemed to knock off a lot of RBs, but I'm not sure it killed them.

 

[flyyyguy]

Thanks for the response. I'd like to remove the Acros and dip, but a couple are well encrusted, so may be impossible to remove for treatment.

If I treat the whole tank, which is probably my only option, but I'd like to try to salvage some of the pods and other life to repopulate tank. QT would be without SPS and out of main tank for 3-4 weeks, so I'm hoping thered bugs would "starve" because of lack of food (Acros).

I just surprised there's not more decision on this topic, because it seems easy to share and only Interceptor, which appears to be rarely used as part of QT or dipping process, is only known "safe cure".

I dipped some Acros in Revive. It seemed to knock off a lot of RBs, but I'm not sure it killed them.

individually dipping your acros to get rid of red bugs is kind of pointless stress, and will never get rid of them

just treat the tank

dont worry about the rest of your pods, they will return

 

[coolcorals]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1965880

I've read this thread, but am not willing to unleash an external pesticide on my corals (yet), since there's really no controlled testing of the effectiveness, side effects and long term impact. I'll concede that Interceptor treatment is still new and not fully tested, but there's a bit more known about this treatment.

Interceptor is made to be taken internally, so in my mind is a somewhat more "safe" treatment. While Bayer Advanced product is an insecticide that is to be used outside. Imidacloprid is the main active ingredient, which is also the main ingredient in Advantage, an external flea treatment. Advantage has about 12 times the amount of Imidacloprid than the Bayer product.

I'm always concerned about long term effects. I've used a few "coral treatments" in the past, that seemed effective in the short term, but ended up killing the treated corals a few months later. I guess I'd rather not experiment on my corals, but I'm following along to see the longer term affects of the Bayer treatment.

This is the interesting part of reefing - there's a lot of unknowns, but I tip my hat to those willing to experiment!

 

[coolcorals]

individually dipping your acros to get rid of red bugs is kind of pointless stress, and will never get rid of them

just treat the tank

dont worry about the rest of your pods, they will return

I've come to the same conclusion, but a few corals were infested and were looking sad. So while doing research and working on getting Interceptor, I went ahead and did a quick Revive dip, which did seem to knock off most of the RBs and has kept most off without harming the corals.

I'll continue to monitor the corals and RBs, while I wait for Interceptor to arrive. Also need to set up an Invert QT for those I can catch. I wish I could just remove and dip the Acros, but I'm concerned about that approach's ability to get them all.

I recently removed a Pastel Wrasse that was causing trouble, but am wondering if it was keeping the bugs in check?

 

[Brian Chong]

I was dipping frags for months and it was a losing battle. Finally got the nerve to treat the whole tank and it was a breeze. No red bugs. should have done it sooner. cleaner shrimp and electric blue hermit survived. Acro crabs and red bugs gone.

 

[Brian Chong]

Btw, I saw pods scurrying around the tank hours after I finished treatment so I'm sure all of urs wont die.

 

[SPSEMPIRE]

Interceptor works great and I would treat again in a heart beat. As a matter of fact, I am thinking about treating my tank with interceptor to get rid of a few unwanted acro crabs. Plus, I want to try to get rid of an annoying mantis shrimp that hitch hiked it way in my aquarium.

 

[coolcorals]

Brian Chong & SPSEMPIRE: As I'm waiting for my Intercpetor to arrive, I've come to the same conclusion - a full tank treatment is the best option (for me). Thanks for confirming I've made the correct choice.

As a test, I dipped four coral frags for 5 mins in Revive. As stated above, it knocked most of the RBs off, but after 5 days one of the four frags has a dying tip. Of course, can't tell it's from the dip, the RBs or something else. So, I'm not sure I'll do any more Revive dips. From what I've read, Interceptor is very effective on RBs, but has no known adverse impacts on corals and fish. Unfortunately, it does wipe out your inverts.

For me, removing and dipping all the Acro frags is not possible and I'm concerned it may leave a few behind, which will trigger the whole treatment process all over again. I prefer to do one full treatment and lessen (hopefully) the stress on the system. This weekend, I'll set up my Invert QT and try to pull out all my inverts. Most are easy to grab, except my shy Peppermint Shrimp and reclusive Pom Pom Crab. Really want to get them all out - Peppermint wiped out all my Aiptasia and the PP has huge anemones!

From everything I've read, my snails and mini stars should be fine during Interceptor treatment, right?

I figure the inverts can handle a couple weeks in a QT much better than corals (limited flow and marginal lighting). Any suggestions on methods to trap the Peppermint Shrimp and Pom Pom Crab?