Flatworms, wondering whether to treat or ignore.

[Xtasia]

I was hesitant myself. but after this thread I think Im going to treat this weekend.
can anyone post oif thye HAVE had negative experiences?

Thanks.

- X err.. S.

[Ryan7]

If they are the red ones, I would ignore. IME they do not harm anything. Flatworm exit will kill them, but what else does it kill that you cannot see.

[reeferaddict]

I've done the treatment...twice ... a whole bunch died... but they're back albeit in lesser numbers in less than a month... no problems with anything else in the tank, but I did a 25% water change and ran carbon.... nobody seemed stressed at all... 2nd time I only did a 10% water change... no problems... but I DO question the effectiveness of the treatment.

[psuedo]

I have just noticed a few in my tank, and I am wondering what the long term effects can be with them in your tank. Will they end up eating away at all corals, or do they only have a taste for SPS.

Sorry to bring up this old post, but it was relevant to my tank

[reeferaddict]

After reading an excellent article in the June/July Coral Magazine, I have decided not to treat again... I still have the little buggers in my tank, but have found nothing that suggests they will harm anything unlike Acro flatworms. The article DOES mention ways to treat, but also questions their effectiveness along with what microbial damage we may be doing to our tanks at the same time... Suggestions for biological control are things like 6 line and Leopard Wrasses, Copperband Butterflies and specialized flatworm eating nudibranchs... I have everything of those save the nudibranchs, and I DO notice all of those fish feasting on the odd one off the rocks from time to time... From what I have read in other articles and hobbyist experiences, the infestation seems to bloom and then subside. Phosphates and silicates are known to provide them with fuel, so limiting these nutrients is a chemical control option as well... My two treatments have cost $80 and a whole lot of work, (25% of 300 gallons is a LOT of water to make and change!!!), so I won't be doing it again unless I notice bad things happening...

[psuedo]

good advice...thanks...i was just talking to a friend and in his tanks he has not noticed any corals being damaged...so to conclude all this i am just going to leave my tank to fend for itself with flatworms...part of my tanks biodiversity I guess