emissary October 10, 2006 October 10, 2006 Does anyone dose their tank with flatworm exit periodically just on the off chance that they have flatworms? Seems like that since the stuff is *really really reef safe* except when you're dealing with a flatworm problem of plague proportions that it makes sense to just dose monthly to kill any that may have shown up on things you've bought and not quarantined properly cuz you're a lazy sack of potatoes.
jason the filter freak October 10, 2006 October 10, 2006 Reef safe is a relative term, there was an earlier thread about using that stuff as a last measure and ended up with some negative effects... I'd be careful
emissary October 10, 2006 Author October 10, 2006 Reef safe is a relative term, there was an earlier thread about using that stuff as a last measure and ended up with some negative effects... I'd be careful That's exactly my point. If you've waited until it's the last measure, you're going to have a toxic mayhem on your hands.
YBeNormal October 10, 2006 October 10, 2006 I would never treat my tank with any chemicals unless they were really needed. You much better off following good QT procedures and keeping a close eye on your tank, treating issues as they arise rather than adding chemicals "just on the off chance". JMHO ~Bob
jwildman October 10, 2006 October 10, 2006 I just used Flatworm Exit to treat an epidemic level of flatworms and while you may be correct on controlling them through small doses. I think that it causes other problems also. I noted may dead pods and bristleworms along with dead flatworms. I would and am think about using wrasses to control the population. I am told and have read that they are (or can be) good at controlling a population, but once it gets out of hand, then they can't keep up. I would just be careful what you put in your tank, do fresh water dips and hope like H-E-double hocky sticks you never get a real infestation of flatworms ... it sucks bad. John That's exactly my point. If you've waited until it's the last measure, you're going to have a toxic mayhem on your hands.
Guest snapper October 10, 2006 October 10, 2006 a six-line wrasse would be a much better profilactic choice. nothing is a good, preventative measure, other than good water quality, good supplementation, good lighting and flow, and watching your trace ion levels. oh, remember the days when "black powder" was the bomb. Please tell us this wasn't a recommendation from someone at the marine scene.
smarsh97 October 11, 2006 October 11, 2006 I got a six line when I noticed my first few flatworms. While he managed to eat a few, he by no means held them off. I only have a 30 gal. So I would not suggest a six line. I also here it is hit or miss with whether they eat them or not. Sandy
Guest snapper October 11, 2006 October 11, 2006 I got a six line when I noticed my first few flatworms. While he managed to eat a few, he by no means held them off. I only have a 30 gal. So I would not suggest a six line. I also here it is hit or miss with whether they eat them or not. Sandy Really? I've had the completely opposite experience. My 90gal fuge looks like a flat worm shag carpet. My 110gal display has not a one. This is the third or fourth system I've had up where a six-line pulled his own. Guess it's a matter of opinion and experience, tethered to a fine thread of realty.
emissary October 11, 2006 Author October 11, 2006 Really? I've had the completely opposite experience. My 90gal fuge looks like a flat worm shag carpet. My 110gal display has not a one. This is the third or fourth system I've had up where a six-line pulled his own. Guess it's a matter of opinion and experience, tethered to a fine thread of realty. Yeah my six line seemed to be keeping things in check for a while back in my 75, but I think was either eventually overwhelmed, gave up, or was never in the fight to begin with. Thanks all for the thoughts. I seem to recall hearing that Leishman would treat his tank with somethingoranother. Anyone have details?
dbartco October 11, 2006 October 11, 2006 4 mg/l (need to check this) levamisol can be used as fw remover in tank remedy, then big water change. big thread in rc about. www.barnstocker.com
jason the filter freak October 11, 2006 October 11, 2006 scuse the dumb question, but just what is a flat worm.... I know about bristle worm, but not about these flat worms
emissary October 11, 2006 Author October 11, 2006 scuse the dumb question, but just what is a flat worm.... I know about bristle worm, but not about these flat worms google flatworms, planaria
Rascal October 12, 2006 October 12, 2006 My concern would be this: how does a chemical kill one type of worm and not another? Seems to me you would be killing all kinds of stuff. Maybe not big stuff like fish, corals, snails and crabs, but I don't see how you wouldn't take out all kinds of beneficial microfauna along with the flatworms. Like someone said earlier in this thread, "reef safe" is a relative term. I can see if it was a total infestation and you had to sacrifice your small critters to save your larger ones, but personally I don't see the benefit of doing this as a prophylactic measure.
jwildman October 12, 2006 October 12, 2006 A valid concern, when I recently treated I lost (aka killed with flatworm exit) a large amount of Bristles and pods. Not something I would want to do on a regular basis. John My concern would be this: how does a chemical kill one type of worm and not another? Seems to me you would be killing all kinds of stuff. Maybe not big stuff like fish, corals, snails and crabs, but I don't see how you wouldn't take out all kinds of beneficial microfauna along with the flatworms. Like someone said earlier in this thread, "reef safe" is a relative term. I can see if it was a total infestation and you had to sacrifice your small critters to save your larger ones, but personally I don't see the benefit of doing this as a prophylactic measure.
dbartco October 12, 2006 October 12, 2006 crabs and pods definitely go if you use interceptor for redbugs. Worms go if you use fw exit, but pods should be fine unless they die from the toxins exuded from the flatworms. Usually withthe levamisol the small bristles usually recover when carbon reintroduced. My small brittle stars also are not happy, all com out of every nook and cranny, ans walk around drunk, but also recover after the w.c. and carbon. Yas, I admit, I have had both the rb and fw. Yet is is amazing how things can recover.
jason the filter freak October 13, 2006 October 13, 2006 (edited) They will do best when introduced in groups of three or more. It eats small invertebrates (foraminiferans and amphiopods) that grow on live rock. Wouldn't a six line be better? Edited October 13, 2006 by jason the filter freak
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