Flatworm Exit ?

[NewSchool04]

I just got light over my tank that's been sitting with only one VHO for over 4 months. I've got a huge flatworm infestation like I've never seen before. It's actually depressing.

Any advice on how to deal with the problem without killing all my fish still alive and well? I've never used this product so if there are any secret "do it like this", I'd appreciate a heads up!

 

[Jeff]

http://www.melevsreef.com/flatworms.html

 

[NewSchool04]

Thanks Jeff.

 

[NemusMaximus]

Jeff, when I had my MASSIVE problem on my first tank... I found that taking out all the rocks and submerging them in plain water killed most of the worms. Then, I would rinse it in another bucket, then put it back into the tank. Once I did that (along with water changes) I noticed that I had put a huge dent in the initial population. Then you can attack with the FWE, and not expect a massive toxic die off.

 

[woowoodengy]

i would siphon out as many as you can for about a week then do the FWE. then do a 25% water change and run carbon for 48 hrs. you should be fine. FW are not that hard to get rid of

 

[NewSchool04]

I'd do that but I probably have over 100lbs of rock that would need to be dipped and then I'd have to totally re-aquascape 3/4 of the tank. I've been thinking about this method for the last couple of days and haven't optioned it out!

Did you rinse in tap water then re-rinse in salt water?

 

[NewSchool04]

I'd do that but I probably have over 100lbs of rock that would need to be dipped and then I'd have to totally re-aquascape 3/4 of the tank. I've been thinking about this method for the last couple of days and haven't optioned it out!

Did you rinse in tap water then re-rinse in salt water?

 

[NemusMaximus]

Yeah, I did a water change, and kept a bucket of the old salt water, and dipped in that before putting the rocks back in the tank. You'll notice that the first fresh water dipping bucket will turn dark brown with the dead FW's. You have to get as many of them out before you do FWE.

 

[NewSchool04]

how long did you dip in the fresh water before transferring to your old salt water?

 

[NemusMaximus]

I dont remember.. but it wasnt too long. Maybe 10-20 seconds? I made sure to really swish the rocks around in that first bucket. You will see the worms falling off. You might want to do a second bucket with freshwater before the old saltwater. Change the freshwater ones often too. The first one will turn an opaque brown fast.

 

[NewSchool04]

Did you bother with RO/DI water or just tap for the fresh water dips?

 

[NemusMaximus]

RO/DI, but I'm not too sure it would matter.

Oh, and make sure you account for all the fish... I accidentally flushed a dottyback that snuck aboard a rock and then got out in the brown water bucket. lol

 

[NewSchool04]

Thanks Nemus, I think I'm going to go this route. With the coverage of flat worms that I can see, there's gotta be so many more I can't.

I just wish the fresh water would kill these damed purple mushrooms!

 

[spoofer]

I helped a buddy knock them out about a year or two ago, but i've done it a few times- let me know if you need any help- this link has the step by step.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1552221

 

[Jeff]

Pat, when using FWE it's all about cutting down on the amount you need it to kill to help avoid as much of the toxic compounds that they excrete when they die. Siphoning and dipping will get rid of an awful lot of those little guys. Let me know if you want some help. I am off for the next 2 weeks.

 

[pk1]

I tried FWE Pat, and I used a full bottle for my 180, twice. First time I treated double the dose, then 2 hours later double again. Within a week they we're back. Next time I used full bottles, same thing. Make sure you pull any brittle stars out if you have any, the FWE at that dose killed the mini's and would have killed my large pink fancy star too, luckily I noticed it writhing around and pulled it out of the tank. I am not sure if the linkia would be bothered by it, but I wouldn't chance it. Good luck..

 

[Brian1980]

this give you a reason to buy a few fish. Like a six line and target mandarin. I had some fw as soon as I saw them I got a six line hes fat and happy. usually an infestation is because of a nutrient issue.

 

[Pufferpunk]

There are also several wrasses that eat them.

 

[NewSchool04]

Thanks for all the information everyone. I'm going to do my fresh water dip tonight and probably dose tomorrow.

 

[Edward Smith]

I tried FWE Pat, and I used a full bottle for my 180, twice. First time I treated double the dose, then 2 hours later double again. Within a week they we're back. Next time I used full bottles, same thing. Make sure you pull any brittle stars out if you have any, the FWE at that dose killed the mini's and would have killed my large pink fancy star too, luckily I noticed it writhing around and pulled it out of the tank. I am not sure if the linkia would be bothered by it, but I wouldn't chance it. Good luck..

This is almost exactly what I did as well, and still have a massive infestation of flatworms. At this point, I'll try to find a velvet nudibranch but have no great expectations this will resolve the issue, maybe only control it. It's an aggressive tank, so I can't add the smaller fish. Otherwise, I continue to make suctioning these guys out as part of my maintenence schedule.