Will dipping kill Flatworms

[VegasMike]

I am thinking about moving some corals from my office tank to my home tank (taking down the office tank). The office tank has red flatworms (planaria) in it. It has been treated several times with Flatworm exit and they still come back a few weeks later.

Will dipping the corals in Seachem reef dip kill the flatworms? OR, should I dip them in a more concentrated mixture of Flatworm exit?

 

[porksoda]

are u talking about brissel worms?

 

[VegasMike]

Nope, Red Flatworms, Planaria.

 

[NaH2O]

Hmmmm - that's a tough one. I personally would try the super concentrated flatworm exit....or maybe both. I guess it depends on what is getting dipped. Something more sensitive, just the flatworm exit. When you treated the tank did you double the dose of FW Exit? Some people have found double (some triple) doses the only way to kill them all. What about setting up a succession of buckets. In the first bucket, blast whatever you're going to dip with a powerhead/turkey baster, and try to free up as many flatworms as you can. Then in the next bucket, have your flatworm exit dip, and in the last bucket do another powerhead blast to remove any that remain. If you still have flatworms come off, then you might have to dip again.

 

[kevinpo]

Hi Mike,
The red planaria you have are algae eaters and do not inhabit the actual coral but the rock/skeleton the coral is attached to. Fresh water rinse will wash them off and kill them. I use Faltworm exit at 1.5 times the recommended dosage before they become large in numbers. In my cubes with 500 or so SPS and LPS corals (400 gal net) I use 2 bottles and it kills them all. I have done this twice over the last 4 years and it worked both times without any ill effects. I just do my normally scheduled water change a few weeks later.

HTH,
Kevin

 

[Herefishyfishy]

just do my normally scheduled water change a few weeks later.
Kevin

You leave the tank medicated for a few weeks?

 

[kevinpo]

You leave the tank medicated for a few weeks?

Yes I do. Either the chemical breaks down quickly or the big skimmer I run pulls it out.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[Herefishyfishy]

WOW, no wonder I end up with some "tough" survivers, post medication. Previously started the skimmer, carbon, and a water change within 2 hours of medication.

THANKS!!!

Mike

 

[VegasMike]

Thanks for the input.

I like the series of dips technique modified as follows.

First, I am going to treat the tank with a 3X dose to kill off as many as possible. It is a 37 gallon tank. I will take the two fish out before I do this.

Second, I am going to fresh water dip. How long should I do this for? I am going to dip rocks with coral attached, Sinularia, Clavularia, Shrooms and GSP.

Third, I am going to rinse with salt water multiple times to flush out anything I can get out of the rocks, detritus, dead flatworms, etc.

Thanks again!!!

 

[kevinpo]

Hi Tank Diver Mike,
If you have a large population (of flatworms), you see the water discolor, or fish overly stressed a prompt water change is in order. I always advise to have at least 25% mixed and ready to go just in case it's needed. You can always just leave it in the tub mixing if not needed until your regular water change time.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[kevinpo]

Mike,
I swish the rock back and forth for 5 min or so. The amphipods, copepods, etc. will jump off too. I make sure the fresh water PH is at least 8.0 and the temp. 78F. A tiny bit of sodium carbonate will raise the PH if needed.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[VegasMike]

Kevin,

In my case, I am taking down my 37 gallon office tank and transfering the contents to my new 350 gallon corner pentagon at home. I just want to transfer the rock, corals and fish, not the flatworms.