Concerns of having Flatworms

acropora213 · 03/31/2006, 03:45 PM

I am wanting some feedback on folks who currently have Flatworms in their systems.
I recently aquired a frag , that I did not notice until two days later, that it had some hitchhikers on it.

I did a fresh water dip on the frag, and about ten fell off instantly.

My concern is ~

What signs of damage will there be to the coral its on ?
Do they always chew up your sps, as I've seen many tanks that thrive with tons of Flatwoms in it ??
Should I continue fresh water dips as I see more of them ??
I've seen threads on products that do not work to correct this on a consistant basis.

Gimme some feedback, just try not to scare me ...lol

Thanx Tony

Blown 346 · 03/31/2006, 04:00 PM

FW dips will continue to rid of them easily and right on the spot. Ifyou think you have more or might be woried that they spread, you can use flat worm exit.

starmanres · 03/31/2006, 04:07 PM

Be careful though... A good friend of mine just cleared her tank of all living brittle stars with flat worm exit.

Use in moderation.

Robert

acropora213 · 03/31/2006, 04:42 PM

Are there any corals that cannot handle my freshwater dips ??

I basically just swish it around in some ro/di water for about 15 seconds....

acropora213 · 03/31/2006, 07:11 PM

Thanx guys , Any other experiences ???

What about red bugs ??

MrPike · 03/31/2006, 07:58 PM

Im a bit confused about your post/question. There are many types of flatworms, and several that are prevelant in our reef tanks. The little red flatworms that can turn into a plaque that are all over the rocks and sand are not really a threat to corals. Then there are the acro eating flatworms, which can be a huge pain. Are you saying you have the ones that are located on the acro itself?

drouner · 03/31/2006, 08:24 PM

I found some of the those that double every day just the other night. Just great.

acropora213 · 03/31/2006, 08:56 PM

Mr. Pike ,

I have not witnessed them on a sps colonie, as of yet. These were found on the polyps of a hammer, and I remember seeing these all over numerous tanks.

Im concerned and just want to make sure these are not the predators I need to be worried about.

And yes , they definately have a red hue to them

Scuba_Dave · 03/31/2006, 09:24 PM

Trust me, be concerned. They can reproduce to plague proportions & cover everything. And if they hit a population MAX & die, they will kill your tank

Red flatworms are not something you want in your tank long term
While their total die off is unlikely, some will die & cause ongoing problems
Better to take care of them before they spread

I freshwater dip everything before it goes in & before I trade/sell it

MrPike · 04/01/2006, 08:43 PM

The red ones are for sure not someting you would -want-, but they can be controlled. Its the acro eating ones that seem to be the biggest problem for people right now. You could try getting some flatworm exit right now and treating your tank before they get out of hand.

Reefdrumz · 04/01/2006, 09:31 PM

Definitely try and take care of them now before they get out of control. My flatworms grew to epic proportions.. covering EVERYTHING. I didn't have any luck with FWE, although there were some things I would have done differently when I dosed it that I learned after the fact. I ended up siphonining them out on a daily basis, using air line tubing hooked up to a filter media bag that ran back into the sump to avoid having to change water constantly. I really couldn't keep up with them.. It's amazing how fast they grow.

I am upgrading my system so I took out all the rock and just soaked it in freshwater for about a week and I'm just letting sit dry for now.. Hopefully that will take care of them once and for all.

While they didn't do any damage to my system, they were very unsightly and the threat of the colony crashing always haunted me. From now on I will Freshwater dip everything that goes in to the new tank.

03/31/2006, 03:45 PM	#1
acropora213 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: New Port Richey / Tampa ~ Florida Posts: 572	Concerns of having Flatworms I am wanting some feedback on folks who currently have Flatworms in their systems. I recently aquired a frag , that I did not notice until two days later, that it had some hitchhikers on it. I did a fresh water dip on the frag, and about ten fell off instantly. My concern is ~ What signs of damage will there be to the coral its on ? Do they always chew up your sps, as I've seen many tanks that thrive with tons of Flatwoms in it ?? Should I continue fresh water dips as I see more of them ?? I've seen threads on products that do not work to correct this on a consistant basis. Gimme some feedback, just try not to scare me ...lol Thanx Tony

03/31/2006, 04:07 PM	#3
starmanres Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Posts: 587	Be careful though... A good friend of mine just cleared her tank of all living brittle stars with flat worm exit. Use in moderation. Robert __________________ "I know funny... I'm a clownfish!" Current Tank Info: 120 g RR Acrylic tank

03/31/2006, 04:42 PM	#4
acropora213 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: New Port Richey / Tampa ~ Florida Posts: 572	Are there any corals that cannot handle my freshwater dips ?? I basically just swish it around in some ro/di water for about 15 seconds.... __________________ ~ Been Gluing animals to rocks for years ~ Current Tank Info: Updating soon :)

03/31/2006, 07:11 PM	#5
acropora213 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: New Port Richey / Tampa ~ Florida Posts: 572	Thanx guys , Any other experiences ??? What about red bugs ?? __________________ ~ Been Gluing animals to rocks for years ~ Current Tank Info: Updating soon :)

03/31/2006, 08:24 PM	#7
drouner Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Lawrenceville, GA Posts: 668	I found some of the those that double every day just the other night. Just great. __________________ Doug I'm just happy to be here! It all started with a 10 gallon Wal Mart FW combo. Current Tank Info: Old school Oceanic 58 gallon mixed reef

03/31/2006, 04:00 PM	#2
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	FW dips will continue to rid of them easily and right on the spot. Ifyou think you have more or might be woried that they spread, you can use flat worm exit.

03/31/2006, 07:58 PM	#6
MrPike Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 718	Im a bit confused about your post/question. There are many types of flatworms, and several that are prevelant in our reef tanks. The little red flatworms that can turn into a plaque that are all over the rocks and sand are not really a threat to corals. Then there are the acro eating flatworms, which can be a huge pain. Are you saying you have the ones that are located on the acro itself?

03/31/2006, 08:56 PM	#8
acropora213 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: New Port Richey / Tampa ~ Florida Posts: 572	Mr. Pike , I have not witnessed them on a sps colonie, as of yet. These were found on the polyps of a hammer, and I remember seeing these all over numerous tanks. Im concerned and just want to make sure these are not the predators I need to be worried about. And yes , they definately have a red hue to them __________________ ~ Been Gluing animals to rocks for years ~ Current Tank Info: Updating soon :)

03/31/2006, 09:24 PM	#9
Scuba_Dave EMERTXE YID Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Asylum, South of Boston, MA Posts: 10,362	Trust me, be concerned. They can reproduce to plague proportions & cover everything. And if they hit a population MAX & die, they will kill your tank Red flatworms are not something you want in your tank long term While their total die off is unlikely, some will die & cause ongoing problems Better to take care of them before they spread I freshwater dip everything before it goes in & before I trade/sell it

04/01/2006, 08:43 PM	#10
MrPike Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 718	The red ones are for sure not someting you would -want-, but they can be controlled. Its the acro eating ones that seem to be the biggest problem for people right now. You could try getting some flatworm exit right now and treating your tank before they get out of hand.

04/01/2006, 09:31 PM	#11
Reefdrumz Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: South Plainfield NJ Posts: 1,344	Definitely try and take care of them now before they get out of control. My flatworms grew to epic proportions.. covering EVERYTHING. I didn't have any luck with FWE, although there were some things I would have done differently when I dosed it that I learned after the fact. I ended up siphonining them out on a daily basis, using air line tubing hooked up to a filter media bag that ran back into the sump to avoid having to change water constantly. I really couldn't keep up with them.. It's amazing how fast they grow. I am upgrading my system so I took out all the rock and just soaked it in freshwater for about a week and I'm just letting sit dry for now.. Hopefully that will take care of them once and for all. While they didn't do any damage to my system, they were very unsightly and the threat of the colony crashing always haunted me. From now on I will Freshwater dip everything that goes in to the new tank. __________________ -Brian Current Tank Info: 32 Gallon Biocube