Really thinking of giving up on reefs

[bigbuckdown]

So ive been doing the reef thing for quite sometime something like 7 years and SPS for about a year and a half. I got real bored with softies and LPS and decided to go SPS for the range of colors,growth and how easy it was to frag and trade. But in the past few months i started dealing with this AEFW bug and i cant get rid of them.I have been using Flatworm stop now since april and i thought i got them because colors came back and new growth started but realized now i didnt work and it was just covering the bite marks up quicker because they healed quicker but now the AEFW have a non stop food source.More and more they are showing up on my acros and learned the hard way that it was snake oil.Try 450 dollars in snake oils. I cant set up a QT tank and if i do i have to break off most of the new growth for the past year and start from scratch yet again. I am so broken i really dont think i have the energy or time to do it again I basted and took many out and dipped,did this flat stop thing since april and im shot. Has anyone else broke down there SPS tank and try something different? Im real bummed because i was having alot of fun with SPS and was getting real good at it and finally started to understand what SPS require.

 

[jroovers]

That really really stinks. I don't know what to say. I haven't had them myself, knock on wood, they sound like a nightmare. If you enjoy it, try and get through it to get rid of them once and for all, and in the end your be better off for it.

 

[bigbuckdown]

I just dipped 10 more acros and at least 20 to 25 AEFW came off have them in my frag tank now and going to search for eggs in a bit. Frag tank is full off pocillapora and birdsnests. Broke a few but hey what can i do. i still have 20 acros in my tank i cant dip as easily. they are all encrusted on rocks

 

[hk855]

Look into levamisole, it's a livestock dewormer and isn't too expensive, like $30 to treat 100g 3 times which is the recommended treatment with it. It's not a prescription drug but you typically have to sign a disclaimer stating your not using it for human consumption. I used it and didnt see them come back but eventualy broke down my tank a year after treating due to time constraints. No effect on corals. Also heard some wrasses eat them but that's not an eradication, just keeps them in check. The only sure fire treatment is quarantine for a few weeks to keep them out of the tank.

 

[TRENT_G]

Do a search on dipping in Bayer Advanced. Cheap and effective. Good luck!

 

[tripdad]

Sorry to hear about your troubles, but hang in there. Just like life sometimes it's the bad times that teach us to appreciate the good times. I know, doesn't help right now, but if you can make it thru you will be rewarded. Good luck.

 

[Atomikk]

I would do the QT, then Levi x 4 treatment (with water changes and fresh carbon in between each Levi dose).

Good luck man. It is not easy.