gflat65
New member
Okay, many of you know that I am a parnoia freak when it comes to QT'ing corals. I think that many either don't realize what can get into their systems, or think that since I didn't buy a zoa (for example), I can't get a zoa predator (or bought a zoa and can't get an acro or other SPS predator). Coral predators are spreading like STD's in the early 80's. You really need some form of protection with just about anything you get. A full scale QT system is out of the range for most people, but when you think about losing your whole system to predators (like I almost did to AEFW's and monti nudi's last March), it becomes a much more viable option. I was just in a LFS (won't name names, because they don't have the resources to make sure things are clean of zoa nudi's and spider, AEFW's and monti nudis-it is ultimately our responsibility to protect our systems) and noticed zoa nudis and Monti nudis. They were cruising the glass. This should be proof enough that they get around and can come in on anything, regardless of what you have. Now if you don't have any Acro's, it may not be important to make sure there are no AEFW's, etc., but an ounce of prevention...
To give a short list, for zoas, you have to worry about zoa nudi's, spiders, and sundial snails. All can be taken care of with a freshwater and Lugol's dip. However, nothing kills the eggs. This is where an intense inspection and QT process comes in handy.
For SPS, you have red bugs on acros (not really a mjor threat when compared to other pests), AEFW's (acro eating flatworms), and monti eating nudi's. The last two are likely the worst we've found so far. They are very difficult to eradicate and seem to reproduce like rabbits. I dip every coral I get in something or another... I use Tropic Marin Pro Coral Cure for just about everything except zoas, but have used them on zoas. There is debate as to whether or not TMPCC kills red bugs, but I can fight that battle later if something comes up while in QT. Once again, nothign kills the eggs on these either. I also typically knock the base rock off of most SPS to reduce the likelihood of eggs getting through. You might lose a little of that coral (or whole corals in the treatment process), but better that than to lose it all to not doing anything.
What do other people do to ensure that they don't let a pest into their system? I just wanted to raise awareness again on this. I have not noticed any signs of predators since I had the issues last march and started the QT process, but it is because of that experience that I am so paranoid now. It is ultimately our responsibility to make sure it doesn;t happen to us because wholesalers and retailers don't have the resources to do so...
To give a short list, for zoas, you have to worry about zoa nudi's, spiders, and sundial snails. All can be taken care of with a freshwater and Lugol's dip. However, nothing kills the eggs. This is where an intense inspection and QT process comes in handy.
For SPS, you have red bugs on acros (not really a mjor threat when compared to other pests), AEFW's (acro eating flatworms), and monti eating nudi's. The last two are likely the worst we've found so far. They are very difficult to eradicate and seem to reproduce like rabbits. I dip every coral I get in something or another... I use Tropic Marin Pro Coral Cure for just about everything except zoas, but have used them on zoas. There is debate as to whether or not TMPCC kills red bugs, but I can fight that battle later if something comes up while in QT. Once again, nothign kills the eggs on these either. I also typically knock the base rock off of most SPS to reduce the likelihood of eggs getting through. You might lose a little of that coral (or whole corals in the treatment process), but better that than to lose it all to not doing anything.
What do other people do to ensure that they don't let a pest into their system? I just wanted to raise awareness again on this. I have not noticed any signs of predators since I had the issues last march and started the QT process, but it is because of that experience that I am so paranoid now. It is ultimately our responsibility to make sure it doesn;t happen to us because wholesalers and retailers don't have the resources to do so...
