Flat worm exit.....good or bad experiences??

[schnell76]

So, last night I noticed I had a few flat worms, the reddish/brown ones. There was about 10 of them on a small piece of rock that xenia was attached to so I fresh water dipped it to bring them out. That worked, but I killed the xenia. Within 2 hours it was flaking apart and smelled really bad. No biggy on the xenia since I have other pieces and its pretty much a weed. I siphoned out 4 or 5 other flat worms and that was it. They were all right on the sand or on a rock directly laying on the sand. I was planning on keeping an eye on their population since I probably have more in there that I did not see or were not out at the time. My question is will the flat worms harm any of my ricordia, mushrooms, xenia, or zoas? I have also read about flat worm exit, but read good and bad things about it. Other question is should I let it ride and keep an eye on the population or should I go ahead and get some FWE and nip the few that I might have quickly before they get a chance to multiply? Just FYI, this is in a 12 gallon jbj with just the corals mentioned above and one small neon goby.

 

[jeffbrig]

I had a very good experience with FWE.

Post and pic here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=898505

 

[TWallace]

I had a great experience with it, though I used it to kill some zoanthid-eating nudibranchs, not flatworms. It didn't bother anything in the tank, but may have killed a brittle starfish (haven't seen it in a long time, but it is nocturnal).

 

[kass03]

If it were me I'd use it now before they are a big problem.
They don't actually eat the corals but can become a plague fast and then deprive them from light.
Planaria is the type you have and the problem ones. The white ones are ok.
They are toxic when they die so the less you have to start the better.

Ive used flatworm exit and it works. It did'nt kill anything that I know of although some of my mini brittles looked ailing at the time. I still have alot left though.
Be sure to follow the directions carefully and suck out as many as you can plus run carbon and do a water change after. Most people use at least 1 drop per gallon to start.

I was very afraid to try it but am really glad I did.

Some of the corals will close up when you use it like my shrooms and acans did but all were fine a few days later. I have alot of different corals including softies, lps and a few SPS.
I don't think it phased the xenia lol.

kass

 

[Reefmedic79]

Use now while thier numbers are low. I've used and it works real well, although it did take 2 or 3 doses to get all of them in my 125. The only harm they do to corals, IMO, are if thier numbers get so high they start covering corals completely preventing them from feeding or if there is a mass die off of them, which can nuke the entire tank. I did notice that it killed some of the mini-brittle stars the tank, so larger ones may be at risk as well. Also, follow the directions closely, and have alot of carbon and a water change ready.

P.S. I noticed your in Central Florida you should check us out,
www.o-r-c-a.com

 

[davocean]

I've never seen a bad thing said about flatworm exit.

 

[kass03]

I've seen some bad things said about it such as fish,inverts dying.
Thats why you really have to follow the directions and siphen out as many flatworms as you can before and while using it.
It is'nt the flatworm exit that kills, it's the toxin released from the flatworms when they die.

kass

 

[jeffbrig]

I realize this kinda goes without saying, but if you can QT your corals, even for a few days, it's a great opportunity to catch and kill FWs. I cycle all of my coral acquisitions through a 10g, and this gave me a chance to find and eradicate my FWs before they went in the 250g display.

 

[kiowascout]

I've had to use it twice.

the treatment left my mushrooms looking unhappy for a day or two, but nothing died except the flat worms.

my advice is to follow the directions to the letter. especially the siphoning part. I found that I had to use about four times the recommended dose for the treatment to really be effective though.

 

[schnell76]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7990768#post7990768 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fleetmarine79
Use now while thier numbers are low. I've used and it works real well, although it did take 2 or 3 doses to get all of them in my 125. The only harm they do to corals, IMO, are if thier numbers get so high they start covering corals completely preventing them from feeding or if there is a mass die off of them, which can nuke the entire tank. I did notice that it killed some of the mini-brittle stars the tank, so larger ones may be at risk as well. Also, follow the directions closely, and have alot of carbon and a water change ready.

P.S. I noticed your in Central Florida you should check us out,
www.o-r-c-a.com

I think I am going to try it now considering everyone has reccomended it. By the way I am closer to you than central FL, I am actually in port orange. I would like to join orca, but my problem is it would require me to get a bigger tank to fulfill my habit and therefore I would end up divorced and poor since my wife would not approve of a large tank :lol: We used to have a larger tank and the agreement was I could have a small nano tank if it did not progress to a large tank like we used to have!

 

[Reefmedic79]

You may be compelled to get a larger tank, but it's not needed to become a member.

 

[schnell76]

I am compelled now to get a larger tank! Well not maybe now, but in 6 months or so I know I will be! I was in this hobby for many years with many other tanks before ending up with my last one, a 58. I was just kidding about joining would compell me to buy a larger tank. I had noticed the club forum on here a while ago, just never got around to joining I was not kidding about my wife though. She does not want a larger tank.......this is where the problem lies

I already have plans in my head for a larger tank. A min of 6ft long, at least a 150 and large enough to hold a couple large tangs and an emperor angel. That bad boy won't fit in my house :eek2: I don't even mention that to my wife, have to know when to hold 'em.