help flat worms

JIM · Post by **JIM** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:25 am

Need some help looks like a have a small no large flat worm problem
I have an idea were they came from.Any Ideas how to get rid of them.
I do have shrimp and coral and not sure how to handle this looks
like the damn things are on everything glass,rocks,sand.I feel like Ive
salt water tank V/d or something.Buying coral and rock with out
using protection.Well any advise would be great.

Phisher · Post by **Phisher** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:30 am

Terry had to dose his tank with flatworm exit a few months ago. He had good results, I don't think he lost anything. May want to check with him.

Joe

Melissakins · Post by **Melissakins** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:38 am

Water changes water changes water changes.

I've got a serious outbreak of flatworms as well in my 10 gal. nano. I've got a shrimp and two fish in it, plus SPS and softies. Mushrooms, a bunch of different colored ricordia, few different colors of zoe's, etc etc. I've been siphoning them out with rigid and soft tubing kinda like a vacuum. Also getting rid of some algae. They're persistant little buggers, but with the water changes, it really helps. I do about a 1/3 of my tank and just suction the little buggers up. They're not hurting anything, they're just FUGLY.

I'd say to cut down on the nutrients cause that's what's feeding them and try the suction trick and the flatworm exit.

JIM · Post by **JIM** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:59 am

Terry,
how did it work for you and were did ya get the product?

Melissakins · Post by **Melissakins** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 9:56 am

You can get it from Rich. Works great, but some of your softies might start a revolution and wilt on you for awhile. Read the instructions very carefully.

tbmoore · Post by **tbmoore** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:56 pm

Yes I had a problem several months ago...Flatworm exit did the trick....I do suggest getting a water change ready before you add the FE. Watch the tank closely....when you think it has done a pretty good job(about 30min or so.) ..depends on how many you have ect...then do a quick water change....wait about a week and repeat the process... you can leave it in a little longer the second treatment since most have passed away on the first and you should just be cleanning house with the second...As said above... have water change ready...hoses and everything...and make sure you run lots of carbon...have it ready also... I lost nothing...matter of fact might have improved tank with the two water changes...I changed out about 40gal in a 240reef to give you an idea.
Yes Rich usually carries Flatworm exit but if you plan ahead when making another online order you can get it much cheaper...but shipping would eat up the difference if that is all you are ordering..

Brandon · Post by **Brandon** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 10:50 pm

We tried it in the nano at 150%, it killed them and we made the mistake of not reapplying it later, they came back in a month or so. The only thing that really suffered was mushrooms, they sorta wilted when the flatworms died. As others have said on ReefCentral, I think the key is if you have a heavy population, remove as many as you can before using the flatworm exit. According to others, the toxin comes from the dieing flatworms, and not the actual application of the Flatworm Exit. Reeferpuffer used it with not so good results, I believe he lost a good many corals when they started dieing.

tbmoore · Post by **tbmoore** » Tue Aug 24, 2004 3:30 am

if I am not mistaken He did not have a water change ready and left the dieing in way to long which led to high toxins....Not sure but I think that is what happened...good idea to remove what you can thought but that is tough to do sometimes since they are in the rocks and everywhere...