Terrified of Bristle Worms!

cysco1187

cysco1187

Member
I want to put live rock in my new 20 gallon tank but I DO NOT want bristle worms.They creep me out!! How can I avoid them? Does it depend on what type of live rock I use? Is there no way to avoid them while using live rock? I'm also wondering what the pros/cons are of live sand vs non-live sand.
 
geridoc

geridoc

Well-Known Member
If you are absolutely determined not to have bristle worms you can buy inexpensive traps, but these worms are a valuable part of your cuc, so you may get excess waste accumulation, especially under rocks. I have never bothered with live sand, live rock is all you need IMHO.
 
cysco1187

cysco1187

Member
So there really is no way around them? They really creep me out but if I NEED them and I can keep them in check, I guess it's okay?
 
silverado61

silverado61

Well-Known Member
You may or may not get them at all but if you do, I'd keep them if I were you. The only time you'll ever see them is when they come out to do the job they were hired for. Cheap labor in my opinion. I got mine from Flower on purpose. That's how important they are for part of a cleanup crew.
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member
Some livestock feed off of bristle worms. coral banded shrimp is one i think.
IMHO you are correct to be concerned. If the "wrong kind" of bristle worms then eat soft corals at night. Oregon reefs noticed that and tore down the tank finding an 7-8' (foot not inches LOL) bristle worm that had grown up in the tank.
You could just put some food and substrate in a pvc pipe or other container then pull that out every few days to remove bristle worms.
IME they reduced when I reduced my feeding also.
my .02
 
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