How much water preasure to blow off AEFW?

[blide]

I've been reading tons of the threads about AEFW's, but one thing I haven't found is how much water preasure does it take to blow them off the corals that are in the display? Some people say a Turkey baster and others state using a Maxijet. The reason I ask is that I suspect they're in my tank, so I hooked up a small air tube line to a pump and shot the acro's with a subtle stream of water and haven't seen anything fly off.

Thanks for the help...

 

[crispyreef]

To know if you have them, take the coral out and dip it. I haven't measured it, but it takes a strong flow to get one off. Basting is usually done to keep them in check, it will not get rid of them and you will most likely not get the eggs. Good luck.

 

[scrapz]

unless you're infested. Dip and baste is the only way to find out.

 

[blide]

I planned on dipping the frags, but my large blue tort is encrusted to the main base rock in the center of my tank. Basically I would have to tear down the tank to get it completely out, so I'm wanting to try the alternative now. I've got a sixline wrasse and dottyback that tend to eat everything so I'm hoping for the best, but don't know how much flow I need to blast them off.

 

[scrapz]

if you suspect you have em, most likely you do.

worst thing you can do is wait.

 

[blide]

Here's a couple of pic's of the tort... Let me know if you see anything obvious or if this just looks like a coral that's just dieing off. It's always looked awesome, but over the last month the color has faded and the polyps have been retracted.

 

[blide]

Here's another one...

 

[scottwhitson]

I have had better luck with a turkey baster than a pump so you may want to try that. Your pictures aren't too clear but it is possible that damage was caused be AEFW.

 

[jsousa]

I use a MaxiJet 900 over every one of my SPS at least once a week. And same as you, my Oregon Blue Tort is the one I notice that gets bit up the worst when I forget to blow it off. Just make it part of your weekly routine and he should be fine.

In your case, since he is where he is and you've never done it, I might blow it off for the next few days and then see what happens. It works for me.

BTW, dipping is so bad for your SPS. I did it. It sucks. There is no chemical on the market gentle enough. I've tried Revive, Coral Cure and iodine. Like killing a mosquito by pouring acid on your arm instead of blowing it off.

 

[pterfloth]

It looks like AEFW to me. I tried wrasses but had no luck. I had to tear apart my tank and dip my colonies to get rid of them. I used Revive. I lost several very, very large colonies to the AEFW but none to the dip. I have dipped several colonies now on several occasions with no lasting harm. I'd much prefer the dip to losing my colonies. Its doesn't take very long in the dip for the AEFW to release from the coral. I'm not sure prolonging the dip is worth the extra stress on the coral. I also used a scraper and toothbrush to remove any eggs at the base.

Its a crappy problem, especially since I got the AEFW from a "reputable" LFS, but I had no luck combating them any other way. I am now in the process of setting up a QT tank for future purchases.

 

[crispyreef]

I'm with you pterfloth. I use Marin Melafix for a dip. Aggressive on pests and not the coral, but I would rather loose and coral to a dip than put AEFW's in my tank.

 

[scrapz]

Used revive and never killed a coral.

there are spots that look like AEFW damage but its hard to tell from the photos.

 

[scottwhitson]

I also have dipped with revive and the only coral that has been negatively affected was a Hawkins Echinata. I have had 2 large frags and both times I have dipped it has KILLED them. At 100% of the recomended dose AEFW will fall off the corals within five minutes. Echinatas are the only coral I would be hesitant in dipping.

 

[scrapz]

I also have dipped with revive and the only coral that has been negatively affected was a Hawkins Echinata. I have had 2 large frags and both times I have dipped it has KILLED them. At 100% of the recomended dose AEFW will fall off the corals within five minutes. Echinatas are the only coral I would be hesitant in dipping.

I don't believe the hawkins is a true echinata. I agree with you echinata themselves are a finicky coral..