Bristle Worm Dip

[grumpygils]

I have about 30 lbs of killer LR that I want to move to another tank but it is INFESTED! with bristle worms. Can I fw dip it and they will come off with out killing the shrooms, GSP, coraline, and zoas that are all over it. I am hoping some one has done this and the BWs will fly off the rock in a bucket of FW

Mc

 

[reefkprz]

fresh water is really going to bug the worms all that much, some may crawl out of the rock but most likley they will burrow deeper into the rock for the trapped salt water in the rock.

 

[swabearf16]

I dipped some LR is some really salty water, 1.040. Didn't seem to hurt the rock and Bristle Worms and a small Mantis came "flying" out of the rock in just a few seconds. Kind of fun to watch, actually.

 

[alix2.0]

Originally Posted by SWABearF16
I dipped some LR is some really salty water, 1.040. Didn't seem to hurt the rock and Bristle Worms and a small Mantis came "flying" out of the rock in just a few seconds. Kind of fun to watch, actually.
wow, good one! did you know the mantis was in it before you dipped?

 

[swabearf16]

No. It was new live rock. I didn't even know what it was for a few seconds. Apparently, they are pretty intolerant of salinity extremes. Although I wouldn't want a Mantis in my tank, I find them kind of fascinating. Kind of like looking at an alien. His eyes were studying me while I was doing the same to him. (I'm glad no one was watching us stare at each other)

 

[ifirefight]

https://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/showthread.php?t=286999

 

[tangwhispr]

Why would you want to get rid of the bristle worms? They are some of the best detrius eaters. I suggest a 6 line or preferably a 4 line to keep them in check.
I stole this from Bob Fenner @ wetwebmedia
As for the bristle, there are a few undesirable pests in this category, however most are harmless detritivores. Seeing an overabundance of bristle worms is likely a nutrient problem. Too many nutrients cause them to populate at a faster rate.

 

[farslayer]

The best way to combat them is to starve them. If you can put the rock into a new tank with no fish, then give it a month, you'll see a serious decline in the population. I cut back feedings to smaller amounts but several times a day to prevent the worms from getting anything and I saw a noticeable drop in their numbers.

 

[grumpygils]

Originally Posted by TangWhispr
Why would you want to get rid of the bristle worms? They are some of the best detrius eaters. I suggest a 6 line or preferably a 4 line to keep them in check.
I stole this from Bob Fenner @ wetwebmedia
As for the bristle, there are a few undesirable pests in this category, however most are harmless detritivores. Seeing an overabundance of bristle worms is likely a nutrient problem. Too many nutrients cause them to populate at a faster rate.

I think I will go with a high salinity dip. These are some huge BWs. Many as thick as a pencil. Thanks!
Mc

 

[grumpygils]

Originally Posted by grumpygils
I think I will go with a high salinity dip. These are some huge BWs. Many as thick as a pencil. Thanks!
Mc

Hi salinity dip work just a little. Only snagged about 20 off of 40 lbs. I should post some picks of my 54 with 150+ lbs of rock now. It is stuffed. It is holding the additional rock until I can reset the 29.
Mc