How to get rid of Flatworms?

[bluegreg1997]

Anyone know of a way to get rid of flat worms from live rock? I'm looking to transfer my live rock from old tank to new tank with out harming any of the coralline algae or pods if possible.

 

[jwblocal701]

I had the same problem when switching tanks
I put all my rock in 5 gallon bucket
Along with the SW from the old tank
I then put FW exit in each bucket and let it sit well beyond the time recommend
I didn't want any of them showing back up
I even did a fresh water dip for a few seconds with everything just to make sure
Fresh water kills them instantly
I used all new sand none of the old FW infested sand
I also did this with all of my corals cause they will be on there also

FW exit causes all the FW to die but when they die they release a toxin
But doing it in buckets and not reusing that water I wasn't worried about the toxins
My new tank has been up for a few months and no signs of any FW yet(knock on wood)

 

[cet98]

FWE will work for any of the live flatworms but is useless on the eggs, and there will be tons of eggs you can't see. I used FWE multiple times and still they came back.
IME the only way I got rid of them all was to introduce wrasses to my tank. I had a yellow coris and my personal favorite, Potters Leopard wrasse.
They were relentless hunters but also eat my pods as well.

 

[Evolley1]

I had the same problem when switching tanks
I put all my rock in 5 gallon bucket
Along with the SW from the old tank
I then put FW exit in each bucket and let it sit well beyond the time recommend
I didn't want any of them showing back up
I even did a fresh water dip for a few seconds with everything just to make sure
Fresh water kills them instantly
I used all new sand none of the old FW infested sand
I also did this with all of my corals cause they will be on there also

FW exit causes all the FW to die but when they die they release a toxin
But doing it in buckets and not reusing that water I wasn't worried about the toxins
My new tank has been up for a few months and no signs of any FW yet(knock on wood)

I agree with all of this. I just did a second does of FWE while tearing my tank down since I'm moving. Just to be sure I fresh water dipped all of the rock too. One can only hope that they will not return.

 

[Eric The Red]

Mandarins are also known to eat them.

 

[1boatnut]

Also Chalk Bass will eat them.... good luck

 

[ostrow]

Craig is right regarding eggs.

Also sand. Any buried in sand will survive.

They are terrific detritivores, and eventually will just disappear. It can take a while. But they run their course and eventually are gone.

 

[bluegreg1997]

I've had a mandarin in there for 2 years now so I'm guessing he's not doin a good job then, I'm gonna look into buying a wrasse this weekend and see how it go's. thanx for everyone's input. Any wrasse suggestions?