Red bug treatment POLL
- Thread starter Dustin
- Start date
Unarce
Unshackled
My tank got red bugs due to a frag I received from the BAR Swap on January 8. After reading Borneman's research, I decided to do only one treatment during my scheduled WC at the end of the month. At the recommended dosage (pretty much guessed without a scale), I let it run its course for the full 6 hours.
At the end, no red bugs were visible. I then only did a 15% water change. I did another 15% water change, exactly 24 hours later (running 1 cup of carbon the whole time). I lost all of my blue-legged hermits, but 80% of my scarlet hermits survived. The nice thing is, the one treatment did not seem to impact my pod population. Less than a handful were seen dead. The one treatment did wipe out all of the red bugs, and have not seen one since.
At the end, no red bugs were visible. I then only did a 15% water change. I did another 15% water change, exactly 24 hours later (running 1 cup of carbon the whole time). I lost all of my blue-legged hermits, but 80% of my scarlet hermits survived. The nice thing is, the one treatment did not seem to impact my pod population. Less than a handful were seen dead. The one treatment did wipe out all of the red bugs, and have not seen one since.
reefnutz,
I hate to say this but only treating one time is irresponsible IMO. There are strains apparently developing from one time treatments that are immune to Interceptor. Similar to bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics from not taking the full dose prescribed. The last thing we need is for the one proven method we have of ridding ourselves of red bugs to lose it's effectiveness.
Chris
I hate to say this but only treating one time is irresponsible IMO. There are strains apparently developing from one time treatments that are immune to Interceptor. Similar to bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics from not taking the full dose prescribed. The last thing we need is for the one proven method we have of ridding ourselves of red bugs to lose it's effectiveness.
Chris
prop-frags
SPS Slave
Hmmm, you shouldn't hate to say it - your comment makes perfect sense, Chris. Everyone reading this who hasn't done the full treatment schedule should perhaps reconsider. On the contrary though, I plan to put all new incoming acros in a heavy-dose QT as many of you have indicated. That should prevent the 'resistant strain' from gaining a foot-hold.fishdoc11 said:
FWIW I also pre QT all incomming corals in 4-5 times the normal dosage for at least 6 hours. I can then treat them 3 times if I notice them comming back in QT or my frag tank(that's 3 levels before they actually go into my display). Personally I think it is much easier for the bugs to become resistant to the normal dose than 4-5 times the normal dose. Maybe that's hypocritical 
From everything I have read it seems the bugs have a better chance of surviving one smaller dose in an established tank than a larger one in a barren container, maybe nowhere for them to "hide" and obviously a bigger dose that I personally would be hesitant to use in my display. I have also noticed when treating for flatworms that one treatment gets rid of them when treating in a bucket but when treating my 55 they went into the sandbed and enough of them to repopulate would emerge after the treatment. I'm guessing(and just guessing) there is a simlarity there. This is such an inexact science that anything concrete is hard to define. One thing that seems to be happening though is a correlation between just treating a display once and the return of red bugs
Chris
From everything I have read it seems the bugs have a better chance of surviving one smaller dose in an established tank than a larger one in a barren container, maybe nowhere for them to "hide" and obviously a bigger dose that I personally would be hesitant to use in my display. I have also noticed when treating for flatworms that one treatment gets rid of them when treating in a bucket but when treating my 55 they went into the sandbed and enough of them to repopulate would emerge after the treatment. I'm guessing(and just guessing) there is a simlarity there. This is such an inexact science that anything concrete is hard to define. One thing that seems to be happening though is a correlation between just treating a display once and the return of red bugsChris
david8956
New member
FYI - I will be doing my 2nd treatment tomorrow, 1st treatment was done 14 days ago following instructions EXACTLY, and measuring VERY carefully. 1st treatment seemed like it killed all of the red bugs, but about a week after the 1st treatment I found just a handful (5 or 6) that apparently survived. I also agree 1 treatment isn't enough, and would hate to see these little devils become immune to this drug. (Although I'm not sure that's possible. I know there are strains of bacteria that are resistant to certain medications, but that is *bacteria*. I would think it would take many, many generations of these little bugs before they start to develope any immunity. Example - we've been using the same basic poisons to kill fire ants, roaches, etc with for a LONG time and they still work. May have to use a slightly higher dose now though)
david8956
New member
Absolutely agree insects can (and will) develop a *Resistance* to pesticides over time.
My previous observation was based on many comments I have read where others have stated an opinion that if you don't kill all of the redbugs with 1 or 2 treatments, the survivors are "super bugs" immune to the medication. I don't see anything in your reference indicating insects develop an immunity (not resistance) that quickly.
Again, pesticides such as Dursban have been used for YEARS in controlling lawn & garden insects. May have to use a higher dose now than 10 - 15 years ago, but it still kills them just as dead. (Can you imagine how many generations of outdoor insects we have been using these chemicals on over the last 10 years or so?)
My previous observation was based on many comments I have read where others have stated an opinion that if you don't kill all of the redbugs with 1 or 2 treatments, the survivors are "super bugs" immune to the medication. I don't see anything in your reference indicating insects develop an immunity (not resistance) that quickly.
Again, pesticides such as Dursban have been used for YEARS in controlling lawn & garden insects. May have to use a higher dose now than 10 - 15 years ago, but it still kills them just as dead. (Can you imagine how many generations of outdoor insects we have been using these chemicals on over the last 10 years or so?)
northbay-reefer
New member
yelpag05 said:
Go to www.petmedstore.com , they said you need a perscription on the web site, but go ahead and place an order and they will ship it no question ask. I just got mine several days ago ... good luck
greenfroggiespawn
New member
hey i blieve i asked thsi b4, but watn to confirm?
do these red bugs attack ONLY ACROPORA? i notice they seem to only attack those, but none for the monti type?
so will a bali slimer be safe? i guess i want to know which SPS are more on teh safe side against these bugs?
thanks..
do these red bugs attack ONLY ACROPORA? i notice they seem to only attack those, but none for the monti type?
so will a bali slimer be safe? i guess i want to know which SPS are more on teh safe side against these bugs?
thanks..
greenfroggiespawn
New member
so aside from montis, what other SPS are safe?
