Seeding New Tank

[Bill_Moorman]

Hello all!

I am building a 40B reef tank. I am taking down a 55 gallon that has a bristleworm problem, and am trying to minimize the chances of transmission of them to the new tank. I only have 2 clowns and a watchman in the 55, so moving them to the 40 will not overstock it.

Long story short, the 55 is in the town 45 minutes north of me, and it's causing too much stress on my parents to maintain, so I am taking the fish and CUC to my tank.

That being said, I need to seed the new tank, but I don't want the bristleworms if possible.

Is it possible to seed the new tank by placing multiple pairs of pantyhose filled sand from the 55 into the sump and DT? The bacteria should be able to get out of the pantyhose, but not the bristleworms, right?

As for all of the LR (90lbs of it), my plan is to use coral dip to kill off any of the bristle worms in them, while still keeping the coraline algae alive. There are no corals, just LR. Is that a good idea, or, should I cure it for a few months to kill off the worms?

I could just nuke everything with freshwater, but then I would lose the coraline that has grown..which I dont want to do, but if that's my best option I can.

I know I will also lose pods, but I plan to order some online to get them going. Will be running a sump with a small fuge to grow chaeto.

What do you all think?

 

[saf1]

Just out of curiosity why do you believe bristleworms are a problem? They are actually really good scavengers and excellent part of the natural reef / cleanup process. Population is usually self controlled based on the amount of nutrients in the tank. At least I know that is how mine ebb and flow.

To answer your question you could use a cup or so of sand to seed. Placing it in a filter sock or hose will be ok but some worms may get out. You might be able to use a tall Tupperware container and place it in there keeping the critters contained (hopefully).

 

[rjpotts]

I'm curious about your bristle worm issue too.. but, I'd go buy some matrix media and throw it in the tank or sump for a week or so, inside a media bag of some sort.

 

[Bill_Moorman]

Thanks for the replies!

I’ll be honest, my parents tank is infested. As soon as it’s being fed, there are thousands of them. I think they look nasty and I don’t like that they can cause issues with my future corals.

Id rather have a CUC like snails and crabs.

 

[Rover88]

Thanks for the replies!

I'll be honest, my parents tank is infested. As soon as it's being fed, there are thousands of them. I think they look nasty and I don't like that they can cause issues with my future corals.

Id rather have a CUC like snails and crabs.

This means they are overfeeding.

Thousands of bristleworms won't live if there isn't enough food for thousands of bristle worms!

But I understand not wanting them in your tank!

 

[sde1500]

Sounds the tank had an overfeeding problem, not a bristleworm problem. They are a great part of the CUC.

I don't think there is a way you can guarantee they don't make it to the tank, short of nuking the rock. If you want it alive, I'd be willing to bet some make it in. Personally I'd just rinse them down as much as you can/want. You'll get a lot of them out and what do make it shoudln't overrun the tank if you keep feeding in check.