Flatworm eXit - treating during tank move?

[Coelli]

My 29g has flatworms (the tiny little non-AEFW kind). They're not out of control yet, I think my Royal Gramma gets a lot of them, but they're there and I'd like to not move them into my new 65g.

I was thinking of treating the 29g right before the move to the new tank and instead of dealing with all of the siphoning, etc, rinsing off the rocks and equipment in fresh saltwater and putting them in the new tank, then moving the livestock over after a quick dip (except for the fish) in the rinse water.

Does this sound like a decent plan or am I missing something?

 

[Fly5150]

You can treat the tank, but in my experience, you won't get them all on the first and even the second treatment. Might take a few treatments to get them all. Make sure you do it at the end of the day so that all the fw are out in the light. I've done treatments, only to see flatworms crawl out from the sand 2 hours after the treatment. I'd suggest getting a wrasse or 2 after you treat to keep them in check.


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[Coelli]

Yeah, I know I won't get them all, was just hoping to reduce the number I bring over. Wonder if just freshwater dipping the rocks during the move would work?

I could start over with new rock, but I have micro brittlestars, feather dusters, somewhere in there is a baby sea cucumber... I'd hate to just kill the rocks and everything with them, but I don't want to bring ALL of the flatworms over either

 

[Fly5150]

Unless you get all the flatworms out, they'll be back in your new tank. You don't have to kill the rock, just do a few treatments. It shouldn't kill anything but the flatworms.


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[jessesoto33]

You can treat the tank, but in my experience, you won't get them all on the first and even the second treatment. Might take a few treatments to get them all. Make sure you do it at the end of the day so that all the fw are out in the light. I've done treatments, only to see flatworms crawl out from the sand 2 hours after the treatment. I'd suggest getting a wrasse or 2 after you treat to keep them in check.


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This is why I use Interceptor, I can give you a small piece if you like

 

[Fly5150]

This is why I use Interceptor, I can give you a small piece if you like

Interceptor isn't going to work if they're already in the tank. And she doesn't want to dip everything before her move I don't think. And a small piece of what


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[Coelli]

Oh geez you guys. Thanks Jesse, if only you weren't so far!

I think I'm going to move everything over and treat the 65g, since I'm not moving sand and there's not that much rock there shouldn't be that many FWs as there would be in the 29g, and the larger volume of water should be able to handle any toxins better that first time.

 

[jessesoto33]

Interceptor isn't going to work if they're already in the tank. And she doesn't want to dip everything before her move I don't think. And a small piece of what


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Sure it will work! this is how I removed mine last 2 months ago, if you over does it wont hurt anything actually youll notice the corals flourishing, also I left it in for a week before i did a water change to make sur it killed them all. All gone! and I will give him a small piece of Interceptor if he drives down here to pic it up

 

[Fly5150]

Sure it will work! this is how I removed mine last 2 months ago, if you over does it wont hurt anything actually youll notice the corals flourishing, also I left it in for a week before i did a water change to make sur it killed them all. All gone! and I will give him a small piece of Interceptor if he drives down here to pic it up

Never used...please explain


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[Coelli]

I should look, I think I still have old Interceptor from my dogs if I didn't throw it out... for heartworms, right?

Edit: Nevermind, I have Heartgard and it's chewables. What's the active ingredient in Interceptor?

 

[jessesoto33]

Never used...please explain


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Interceptor is a pill used for dogs that have worms and has been discontinued by the pet pharmacy. But there are some reefers that still have some and charge about $20 per pill.

One quarter of a medium pill is sufficient for 150 Gallon tank, its ok to over dose. All you do is cut pill in quarters and crush pill, then add to tank water in a cup first, stir until pill is desolved then add to display.

This works for may different pests like most worms, red bugs, others, only down side is it will also kill your beneficial pods, but they can be add again.

 

[Six2seven]

I have only seen people use interceptor for red bugs. What kind of worms did you use them for Jesse? I know it does not work for AEFW

 

[Jhuneke]

I had Acoel (sp?) flatworms ( the harmless brown kind that eat pods) in the seahorse Nano. I got 2 blue velvet nudis and they made quick work of em.. Very cute to watch too, they just slurp em up off the glass


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[Jhuneke]

Note though, that the nudis are obligatory eaters, and won't live long after the fw are gone ..


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[Coelli]

Note though, that the nudis are obligatory eaters, and won't live long after the fw are gone ..

I've read about those and thought about it but I don't think I have enough FW (yet) to keep them alive for long; but I really would rather go that route than using chemicals in the tank if given a choice. I suppose I could get one and then pass it on to someone else once it's done. And man, they sure are cute...!

 

[Jhuneke]

Exactly I got 2 and they were crazy fast .. There are ALWAYS willing adoptees for these.. And yes!! They are adorable! If you can't find velvet .. Just look for nudis w spade shaped heads ( they are the type that eat fw) much better than 6 lines and they are a lot easier to catch later lol


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[Fly5150]

All the blue velvet nudis I ever had laid eggs after 3-4 days and died. When they were alive, the did eat the fws. Mine were in my 180, and I had 4 at a time which never seemed to help, maybe if they stayed around long term.


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[BeanMachine]

All the blue velvet nudis I ever had laid eggs after 3-4 days and died. When they were alive, the did eat the fws. Mine were in my 180, and I had 4 at a time which never seemed to help, maybe if they stayed around long term.


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How many gallons was your tank and notice any problems after they died?

 

[Jhuneke]

I had one die and go liquid in an 8 gallon! . Surprisingly no issues w seahorse's or otherwise.. Just chiming in


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[BeanMachine]

I had one die and go liquid in an 8 gallon! . Surprisingly no issues w seahorse's or otherwise.. Just chiming in


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Thanks Jamie... I have a few of these in my sump fuge and may consider it. With all my wrasses I've never seen them in the display so they don't really bother me.