Preventing SPS Pests

[SaltwaterAdict]

Does a Coral RX dip for the recommended 10 minutes take care of any pest which are present on the coral/rocks? Do people take further measures? I know it would be a good practice to QT, but I just can't have another tank setup! lol I was wondering how people with these heavily stocked sps tanks never get aefw, etc in their systems. Does it help to inspect the coral before purchase? Any proactive tips would be much appreciated!

 

[dlterry85]

you should always dip corals, no matter where you get them. this will get rid of most pests, but not eggs. you need to examine the coral using a magnifying glass to see eggs. dipping does not remove them, you have to scrape them off or encase them in glue. and yes people with heavily stocked tanks do get aefw and red bugs. my local club is having an outbreak right now.

strongsville, ohio? i used to live in brook park.

 

[SaltwaterAdict]

you should always dip corals, no matter where you get them. this will get rid of most pests, but not eggs. you need to examine the coral using a magnifying glass to see eggs. dipping does not remove them, you have to scrape them off or encase them in glue. and yes people with heavily stocked tanks do get aefw and red bugs. my local club is having an outbreak right now.

strongsville, ohio? i used to live in brook park.

Interesting never thought about the eggs!! :hmm1: Do I need a maginfying glass to see aefw eggs or are they pretty large to see with the human eye?

Yeah, Strongsville Ohio..small world! lol

 

[Dog boy Dave]

If you depend on dips only you will get pests eventually. The way most of us who have heavily stock tanks do it is by being very careful where we obtain corals. I seldom add corals anymore but when i do i only add them from a system that i know and trust. That means I have seen it in person. That means the coral shows no (none) not any signs of stress. That means the system shows no sign of stress. That means I have used a magnifying glass to examine for red bugs in the system. That means only frags, never colonies. That means it isnt a store with corals coming and going. That means if I have any doubts it doesnt go into the main display dip or not. Never

 

[SaltwaterAdict]

If you depend on dips only you will get pests eventually. The way most of us who have heavily stock tanks do it is by being very careful where we obtain corals. I seldom add corals anymore but when i do i only add them from a system that i know and trust. That means I have seen it in person. That means the coral shows no (none) not any signs of stress. That means the system shows no sign of stress. That means I have used a magnifying glass to examine for red bugs in the system. That means only frags, never colonies. That means it isnt a store with corals coming and going. That means if I have any doubts it doesnt go into the main display dip or not. Never

Man sounds like you got it down!! thanks for the advise. Have you had any of these pests before? I'm starting to think smart purchases really pay off!

 

[flamron]

QT or fail....

 

[Dog boy Dave]

QT or fail....

Yes I lost a lot of corals to AEFW sometime around 2005 or 2006. We didnt even know what they were back then. I have had red bugs several times since i got my first accros in 93. If you stay with frags from tanks you know then you shouldnt have a problem with accro eating flat worms. They are easy to spot in a tank once you have seen them. But the truth is quarantine and stick to frags is the safest way.

 

[REEF SMAC]

qt or fail....

+1

 

[sandhog]

So true,Flamron

 

[klepto]

+1

I was waiting for you to offer your sentiments... :thumbsup:

 

[werdlone]

I never worry about red bugs much...easy in tank treatment, but I still treat my quarantine tank for them. i have found that prazipro is AWESOME for dipping for AEFW. Does not stress the corals at all..including smooth skinned acros. Will paralyze the flatworms within minutes and you can easily blow them off or they just fall off. It does not kill the flatworms, but effect is the same as lugol's/tmpcc/betadine without stress to the coral. I use around 8-10 drops in about a cup or 2 of tank water. Don't worry about adding more, no negative effect on coral. I also try to get frags fresh cut and unmounted or else I cut the coral off of the plug and remount after the dip. So far, so good. Found only a few pests in my quarenteen tank and display has stayed clean. Hope this helps.