@#$%$ Flatworms!

[adidas]

ok, So I had flatworms in july, and my tank crashed, killing them all... restarted my system from scratch and no sign of flatworms...now all of a sudden they're back!!! how can they just come back after being dead so long.

so frustrating!!

[Myka]

Have you tried Chelidonura varians the Flatworm Eating Nudibranch? They are real pretty to boot, and not very costly. Some 6-line wrasses will eat them as well.

[mseepman]

Myka, could you tell me where you got this nudibranch? Is it the same as the velvet nudi? How much is not very expensive?

[untamed]

I have used the flatworm exit on my reef without any side effects that I noticed. It certainly killed flatworms...but in the end it never managed to kill them all. Had I been more aggressive/consistent in my attack with flatworm exit, I can see that it could have worked.

[Dutch]

unless there taking your tank over just leave them they are part of the natural reef anyway and they help ( in moderation of course ) to control nutrient levels, feeding on waste food etc. I have a few in my tank and they only come out during feeding time eating the extra food. If they are taking over your tank try using the flat worm trap starve tank for a few days then put in trap with a little food inside this takes some time to reduce numbers but does help.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by mseepman

Myka, could you tell me where you got this nudibranch? Is it the same as the velvet nudi? How much is not very expensive?

Yes, the same as the Blue Velvet Nudibranch. J&L Aquatics gets them in every once in awhile. I may be way off, but I thought they were only $20.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by untamed

I have used the flatworm exit on my reef without any side effects that I noticed. It certainly killed flatworms...but in the end it never managed to kill them all. Had I been more aggressive/consistent in my attack with flatworm exit, I can see that it could have worked.

FWE is an excellent product, but it was banned (along with many other medications) by Health Canada about a year and a half ago. You'd have to smuggle it from the US...but it would suck if you got busted!

[TeknoPunk]

Originally Posted by Dutch

unless there taking your tank over just leave them they are part of the natural reef anyway and they help ( in moderation of course ) to control nutrient levels, feeding on waste food etc. I have a few in my tank and they only come out during feeding time eating the extra food. If they are taking over your tank try using the flat worm trap starve tank for a few days then put in trap with a little food inside this takes some time to reduce numbers but does help.

I agree I never try to eliminate them completely they are part of the cycle... and they do help clean up wasted food etc...

[Aquattro]

To the posters talking about keeping a few for clean-up. Are you sure you mean flatworms, or do you mean bristle worms? IMO, bristle worms are good, flatworms are bad, even one. Mostly because one usually turns into one million.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by reef_raf

To the posters talking about keeping a few for clean-up. Are you sure you mean flatworms, or do you mean bristle worms? IMO, bristle worms are good, flatworms are bad, even one. Mostly because one usually turns into one million.

I'd have to agree.