Live Rock with Red Flatworms

[rehnberg]

So,
I purchased some live rock from someone that has red flatworms in his tank. It is currently sitting in my garage with a heater and a couple powerheads. I could really use this rock but dont want flat worms. What should I do? Bleach? Dry out the rock? Heat the rock up pretty hot with the heater? Looking for ideas.

 

[awilliams4806]

If its just sitting in water that has no live stock in it IME I would just use some FWE on it, then change the water out and add it to some new water to make sure they are all dead.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

FWE isn't a fool-proof method of ridding the rock of ALL of the flatworms. Even dosed at higher than recommended dosage. (been there done that) If it were me, I'd plunk the rock down in some freshwater for a couple of days then let it dry out completely. Think of it as dry base rock. It will eventually become reseeded by the rock in your tank.

 

[cloak]

I would just fill up a bucket or ice chest with freshwater and give each rock a quick dip. Try to match the ph and temperature if you can. I dipped an elegance coral one time and the flatworms fell off as soon as the coral hit the water. It shouldn't be any different with a piece of live rock. Maybe try it with one rock and see how it goes before you dip the whole lot.

Good luck.

 

[rehnberg]

Sounds like a freshwater bath is what I will do.

 

[Agu]

I would recommend the quick freshwater dip followed by putting it a bucket of new saltwater. You obviously can't put it back in with the undipped rock.

There is anecdotal evidence that flatworms are attracted to light. It also seems that way in my experience. They disappear into the rock after lights out and come out to bask in the glow of our expensive lighting during the day. You may want to use a spotlight for a few hours before you do the dip. Any light will work as long as it's bright.

I would probably still use Flat Worm Exit on the rock a few days after the dip just in case.

 

[scapes]

just buy a melanaurus wrasse. works great

 

[steamman]

There is always FWE