Reef Dip and Red Acro Bugs

[shoreliner11]

On a couple of my acros I have noticed the ever popular red bugs. I believe they are responsible for the declining of at least two of the frags that are infested. I have read that using Seachem reef dip for a full strength dose for 10min can possibly get rid of the red bugs. I bought it today and I will perform the dip tomorrow but I was wondering if anyone had any experience with this? Any tips/hints or any info whatsoever would be appreciated. Also, I have a tricolor acro that I got as a frag from a lfs. At the lfs it has nice bright purple tips under there 10k Coralvue MH. Under my de 250w 20k mh it doesn't have the purple tips at all. This coral also has the red bugs at this time. Do you think the red bugs could be possible for the decline in color? The frag is growing quite well to add. My bulb is close to a year old but for a de I think it should still be ok. Any ideas?
Thanks and sorry for the long post
Aaron

 

[shoreliner11]

Forgot to add that my water quality is fine with cal-420ppm and dkh 8.8. I don't have a phosphate test kit but I don't believe I should be having a problem with a 10gal refug underneath a 20gal tank. Thanks

 

[nm reef]

So far I haven't needed to worry much about red bugs on my sps corals...but I have heard that the SeaChem product can be helpful. Let us know how it does for you....
Possibly one reason I've never had a issue with red bugs or flat worms or any other type of pest is due to dipping all coral additions in a low percentage iodine solution for a few minutes before placing them in my display. For me its always been a safety precaution.....:thinking:

 

[shoreliner11]

I agree. Dipping is now going to be always done as a safety precaution. I'll let you know how it goes later

 

[golfish]

The cure for Red bugs is no big deal. If that's the only problem you have then consider your self lucky and use the Interceptor pill...I noticed a couple red bugs on a few of my acros 3 weeks ago. I dosed 1/3 pill on Sat, 1/3 the next Sat and said bye bye to the red bugs....
FWIW, I bought the Interceptor

[hr]
from petstoremeds

 

[nm reef]

I have heard of several sps keepers that report success with the interceptor product....if there is ever a need I'll check it out also. So far though I've managed to avoid the lil critters.....

 

[golfish]

The red bugs are no biggie at all, its the acro eating falt worms we need to worry about

 

[dburr]

Yup interceptor works wonders on RB.
Also, I have a tricolor acro that I got as a frag from a lfs. At the lfs it has nice bright purple tips under there 10k Coralvue MH. Under my de 250w 20k mh it doesn't have the purple tips at all.
I am doing a test on my upgrade from 175 to 250 MH bulbs. The pics show clearly that my A. Nana (tricolor with purp tips) lost color in the 250's. My suggestion is to move it down. Maybe a few inches every couple weeks and see if it colors back up. I have to rearange mt whole tank this weekend because of the upgrade.

I'm not looking forward to it.

 

[golfish]

Originally posted by dburr
I am doing a test on my upgrade from 175 to 250 MH bulbs. The pics show clearly that my A. Nana (tricolor with purp tips) lost color in the 250's. My suggestion is to move it down. Maybe a few inches every couple weeks and see if it colors back up. I have to rearange mt whole tank this weekend because of the upgrade.

I'm not looking forward to it.
I wouldn't go way out on the "rearange" that coral will look better under the 250's and much better under 400's..it just take a little time..

 

[shoreliner11]

I appreciate all the information. I just dipped them for 10 min but I can still visibly see red bugs on 3 different acros still moving around. Should I dip them again? Do you know if dipping the same coral twice in a day would be a bad thing? Also, do you think they'll die instantly or will it take a while? Thanks
Aaron

 

[solonfairy]

tough part about the RB's is breaking the life cycle

 

[shoreliner11]

Well I read a little closer on the bottle and it says in severe cases you can do a double dose. So I am redipping a few of my acros. Not the prized ones but the ones who are already declining heavily.

 

[golfish]

I've never heard of any dip that kills red bugs in 10 minutes

 

[promisetbg]

Using interceptor is more than a 'big deal'..it was a nightmare for us at my shop.It will kill any inverts,so they must be removed.Then after three treatments..we finally killed the redbugs.then we had outbreaks of cyano,diatoms...alot of the corals bleached due to the water changes needed to rid the tank of the interceptor after treatment.Prevention is probably the best cure...redbugs are a PITA

 

[shoreliner11]

I just read on another forum that someone used the same product on full strength dose for 15min and supposedly got rid of the red bugs. I thought I'd try the safer treatment before going to the interceptor pill. Would it be possible to treat with the intercepter pill in a seperate container much like the reef dip? Thanks
Aaron

 

[solonfairy]

yes... i have divided it out and treat a 2gal container with interceptor... its a long bath... needs to be in there for around 3-5hrs... the longer the better... so that long in a bath it will need temperature control and circulation
as said.. you cant kill RBs in a quick dip... at least not very well
and no... you shouldnt use it with any crabs, shrimp, etc (yes it will kill pod and no snails are unaffected)
i havent done a full tank treatment and hope i dont have to... but i have done extended interceptor baths on new corals... there will be dead pods in the container

 

[shoreliner11]

Maybe next week after a water change I'll try the interceptor pill. I'll keep you updated. Thanks for the info everyone.
Aaron

 

[pyro]

Sorry for asking a dumb question, but where can I find any information on the dreaded "red bugs" - I'll search around here for a bit...
Are they a problem on all corals? Or just SPS (acros being most common)?
I read around that I should be dipping my corals before adding them. Is this true for all or only SPS? If all, how do I go about doing this or where can I find information on this?
...read around some more, and got some background information about it. Do you guys still suggest dipping softies and LPS?

 

[golfish]

Originally posted by promisetbg
Using interceptor is more than a 'big deal'..it was a nightmare for us at my shop.It will kill any inverts,so they must be removed.Then after three treatments..we finally killed the redbugs.then we had outbreaks of cyano,diatoms...alot of the corals bleached due to the water changes needed to rid the tank of the interceptor after treatment.Prevention is probably the best cure...redbugs are a PITA

Gee, the few crabs, the many snails and one cleaner shrimp is doing just fine...The rud bugs aren't.
IMO, the water changes do more harm then good. Since this stuff needs time to work I don't see any reason for the WC's.
FWIW, my tank is bare bottom so I didn't have a lot of pod die off like some other tanks "Might" have.