Reef Tank with Flat worms

gtoon159 · 03-14-2006, 05:04 PM

We have been battling a moderate flat worm problem for several months and I was wondering if there is another solution. About 3 times we have attempted to vacum them out of the tank with limited results.

I know there are some animals out there that will eat them but I thought my 6-line wrasse was one of them. Perhaps she is the reason our problem isn't bigger.

Any ideas?

graphixx · 03-14-2006, 05:29 PM

wrasse are good for this a 6 line is pretty good. a meringue (like the pie) wrasse is very good at it.
Kent I bieleve is the maker of flatworm exit! I used it in my frag tanks and it works well. if you use an eradication method like that make sure to vaccume out the dead worms, they are very toxic when they die and will pollute the tank quick!

Twitterbait · 03-14-2006, 05:39 PM

bingo. if the sixline can't keep up you will need to use the exit or get another wrasse. you should look under rocks and at the base of corals. if the flatworms are keeping up even with the wrasse then you might have a hidden population somewhere. also... don't feed the wrasse if you can.the hungrier it is the more it will eat.

Loverotties · 03-14-2006, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twitterbait

bingo. if the sixline can't keep up you will need to use the exit or get another wrasse. you should look under rocks and at the base of corals. if the flatworms are keeping up even with the wrasse then you might have a hidden population somewhere. also... don't feed the wrasse if you can.the hungrier it is the more it will eat.

I agree!

drsyme · 03-14-2006, 06:37 PM

It was my understanding that in general six line wrasse do not eat flatworms. A yellow coris wrasse is probably your best bet.

wharyat · 03-14-2006, 06:39 PM

Salifert Flatworm eXit.

I just used some this past week, works wonders.

brifirst · 03-14-2006, 07:03 PM

I have used Flatworm exit a few times. I only have softies, Zoos, Mushrooms, Leather, Plates, and a few other easy stuff. They were never bothered by it. The flatworms sure were. It is really cool to watch them croak immedialty.
Just run the skimmer wet, add new carbon the next day and then a water change.

gtoon159 · 03-14-2006, 08:34 PM

So the flatworm exit is Reef Safe? I have a couple SPS and LPS as well as a bunch of Xenia in the tank.

I have been considering systematically removing the rock and rinsing it in clean salt water while vacuming the tank to attempt to find the hidden colony. We also have some Macro alge growing on the rock that I want to be rid of as well. Would be a 2 fer deal.

What do yall think of the idea of moving all the rock around? I am a little scared of disturbing the sand bed too much. I suppose if we are careful it should be ok. This sand bed has only been in for 3 months.

George

brifirst · 03-15-2006, 08:29 AM

I also have Xenia, it was not bothered too much. It tightened up a bit, but opened up soon after.
My opinion is you will not be able to get them all the way you say.

Good luck, I hate those nasty little buggers.
AS soon as you put the Exit in it is really cool to watch millions of dead ones coming out of everyway. Use a fine net and net them out.

brifirst · 03-15-2006, 08:36 AM

I was told there is also a certain Nudibranch you can use.

Doug1 · 03-15-2006, 08:46 AM

Berghia nudibranch, they dont deal with vigorous currents well and after the planaria are gone they will starve to death

Dagrape · 03-15-2006, 09:14 AM

I just noticed read flat worms in my tank last night. I think I will try the exit to get rid of them, but am curious as to why there are a problem for reef tanks? what do they do? (Sorry to jack the thread)

drsyme · 03-15-2006, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug1

Berghia nudibranch, they dont deal with vigorous currents well and after the planaria are gone they will starve to death

It was my understanding that berghia only ate aiptasia.

reefBoyDc · 03-15-2006, 10:38 AM

Be sure to read this before using flatworm exit. http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/sh...=flatworm+exit

wharyat · 03-15-2006, 10:53 AM

It is reef safe but the dead flatworms are not. I was trying to get rid of them by keeping the tank and water as clean as possible so I had a very small infestation (they are mostly detritivores).

Be ready with waterchanges and tons of carbon if you go the chemical route. I immediatly did a 50% wc 15 mins after treatment, then treated again after two days followed by a 25% wc 2 hours later.