ARRGGHHH!!

[Beverly]

After a month of trying to hunt down the snail-eating worm in our 120g, we thought we had found two possible rocks, soaked them in RO for 5 days, then recyled them. Over the weekend, we put the tank back together. It was a joyous occasion to finally have the tank together again

However, this morning, I found another dead, slimed snail due to the worm Two possiblities exit - 1. the worm was not hungry when we put the rocks into the small tanks or the time was too short for the worm to eat the snail, 2. the worm was still in the 120g and we did not find dead snails because they were under rock structures

Anyway, have to start the whole freaking process again But this time, we are going to concentrate on one group of rock where the dead snail was found.

Pic of the two possible worm rocks recycling:



Pic of the tanks we had on the go for a month trying to track down the worm. The three small tanks on the right each had a snail in them. Rock from the 120g was placed in the each of them for 3-4 days. If the snail was not eaten, we deemed that rock safe and we put it into the 20g on the left:



Pic of the 120g just before setting it up again. Very sad to see it in this state of disarray for so many weeks :



Pic of the 120g all set up again Tonight, the stack of rock on the left will be going into the 20g for a month to get that worm good and hungry. Will then introduce rocks into the smaller tanks each with a snail. Hope we find the *@&$*@%&$ worm this time:



AARRGGHHHH!! I figure the whole process this time should take about two months I just want my kitchen looking like it's not a lfs, and to have my 120g set up so we can enjoy its beauty

[saltynuts]

sorry to here about your problem.hope you get them
i want your xenia
thanks ed

[Beverly]

Ed, you can have my worm, but not my xenia

[Edmonton Eskimo]

Hey Ed I have some xenia that I could trade you for something.

[sumpfinfishe]

Bev,
Have you tried looking at night via a flashlight, I have seen one in my tank but it wasn't a priority like the hydroids. You have to be fast too, as they don't like the light. I have seen them in other tanks too, usually suspended from the rockwork trying to latch onto a snail or crab that may be crawling along the bottom. Another good indicator as you probly already know is a pile of empty shells or some rubble rock piled up that you didn't do.

[StirCrazy]

you know Bev, replacing snails is a lot better for you than the amount of aggravation you are adsorbing over this worm.. snails are cheep, don't worry be happy

Steve

[Beverly]

Rich,

I flashlight the tank before going to bed, but never see worms, only the occasional crab. Don't usually wake up in the night, except at about 4:30 am. By that time, the damage is done

Steve,

Snails are not cheap where we live This or any destructive animal will only get worse over time as it grows larger and has a bigger appetite. As much as it sucks to have my tank paritally down, I am determined to rid my tank of this pest Gives me something to complain about

[danny zubot]

Hey Bev, what about some kind of worm trap? Put a snail in a small juice bottle and drill a worm sized hole in the cap, do the waiting game for a while and see what happens. The whole situation suck though, good luck!

[Beverly]

Danny,

There have been other suggestions of worm traps, including one using pantyhose with a snail as bait. The only problem with these traps is that there are so many other snails to choose from in the 120g, the worm would probably go after one easier to get at that is not in any kind of trap.

Plus, the worms I have read about usually stay anchored in their hole and only the front part of them comes out to eat, which isn't going to get my worm caught no matter which trap I use. That is, assuming the worm would go to all the trouble of going after a hard to get snail.

The initial shock, disgust and frustration that I felt yesterday when I realized we did not find the worm during our first attempt has gone. Now that all the rock from the left side of the 120g has been in the 20g overnight, I'm feeling more confident we'll eventually find the rock the worm is in.

What does everybody say about this hobby? Patience is the key to a successful tank. I'm going to keep that statement in mind during the upcoming worm catching process. If it takes two months to find the rock with the worm in it, so be it. If it takes three or four months to find the worm rock, so be that too.

[danny zubot]

Good for you Bev! I too have had my share of trying times in the past while. Recently my sump has sprung a leak. We just need to reflect every once in a while, and remember why we're doing this in the first place.