Worms?

justin55340

New Member
Hi, I just bought my first tank and i am noticing that there are a bunch of little worms crawling around on the live rocks and the walls. Can someone tell me what these are? Some pictures are better than others...
Thanks




 

meowzer

Moderator
Welcome TO SWF....if those are flatworms you sure have a lot.....
How old is this tank? Do you have anything living in it yet?
 

katsafados

Active Member
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3140361
google flatworm exit

They multiply fast. I hd some on the FS when I first got it, but I plucked them off.
If you have to many in number, and you kill them all off at the same time, you could possibly poison your tank. When they die they secrete something that isnt good for the tank. Just the heads up.
 

meowzer

Moderator
I just read that too
Here...this is off of flatworm exit
Flatworm eXit itself is quite safe to fish and invertebrates. However, the body juice of flatworms can be toxic to some reef inhabitants when present in a too high concentration. This body juice is sometimes excreted when flatworms die.
So when you use this product it is important to do the following first:
1.Siphon out as many flatworms as possible.
2.Keep sufficient fresh activated carbon in a canister ready.
3.Turn off UV, ozone and remove activated carbon. Keep the skimmer turned on.
Important remarks
Below given remarks are a.o. meant to reduce the amount of the flatworm`s toxic body juices in the water.
Many people have treated their reef tank(s) successfully using Flatworm eXit without any problems. The most important factors are reducing the number of flatworms before commencing with the treatment and reducing the amount of the flatworm`s body juice, released when they die, as fast as possible.
Do not underestimate the number of flatworms in your system. In a few cases a significant number of flatworms can be hiding in, for example, crevices. Blow in such and any other potential hiding places, water, to blow any flatworm out of there. For that purpose you can use a powerhead or a turkey baster. Siphon out those flatworms as well.
Furthermore, do not underestimate the amount of toxic body-juices these flatworms can excrete. This can be reduced significantly by really siphoning out the flatworms before commencing with the treatment. Further significant reduction is accomplished by siphoning out as many dead flatworms as you can.
Any body juice released by the dead flatworms in the water has to be reduced further by using about 1 pound of fresh high quality carbon for every 50 gallons. The carbon has to be used in a canister with a sufficient forced water flow.
Take sufficient time for treating the tank. That is, do not treat your tank in a hurry. Also, take time to monitor your tank for at least 6 hours after the treatment.
It is also wise to have at least 25% water ready for a water change if required.
 

meowzer

Moderator
LOL...I know you aer new, but you can't post links to other forums....it's a rule
ANYWAY...I have never had flatworms....or used the stuff...just keep reading I guess
BUT you seem to have a lot...so I would start some sort of removal
 

justin55340

New Member
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3140359
Welcome TO SWF....if those are flatworms you sure have a lot.....
How old is this tank? Do you have anything living in it yet?
I bought this tank from a neighbor who left me with sand and a piece or 2 of live rock, but otherwise all of the water and live rock is a week old. I haven't put any fish or inverts in it yet. It is only a 7 gallon tank, some of the pictures taken are of the same rock. Either way though, they are everywhere in my tank. I am going to start by trying to siphon most of them out tonight.
 

chaseter

Member
I am not an expert, but I would take out the live rock and scrub it down and then let it sit in a bucket of salt water with flatworm exit, rinse it again, and then put it back in your tank. Since you have no fish yet and it is only a 7 gallon tank, I would think it would better to remove the rock and treat it in a separate container so that they won't contaminate your tank. You may want to rinse/sift your sand to make sure none are living in your sand.
 

flower

Well-Known Member

What a mess...flat worm infestation and algae problems. It is a 7 gallon tank....I would get rid of the rock all together or boil it in fresh water. Buy some new live sand and dump what is in there.
I would bleach the filter. Rinse, rinse and rinse it again, then let it dry in the sun. Same with a skimmer if it has one and the tank too for that matter.
 

cranberry

Active Member
I have never intervened with these species of flatworm. They will burn their populations out in time if you step up the maintenance and reduce the food. It's too early to ditch it all over some flatworms and algae.... which seems to be present in 95% of the tanks at some point or another.
 

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3140794
I have never intervened with these species of flatworm. They will burn their populations out in time if you step up the maintenance and reduce the food. It's too early to ditch it all over some flatworms and algae.... which seems to be present in 95% of the tanks at some point or another.
YAYYYYYY...I was hoping you'd show up.....LOL
Hey Justin...listen to her....
 

cranberry

Active Member
LOL... you want me to add to the fun. That's probably colonial hydroids in there.... those little brown sticks.
 

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3140833
LOL... you want me to add to the fun. That's probably colonial hydroids in there.... those little brown sticks.
YIKES...what is that? Bad?? good??
p.s. I learn soooo much from you
 

cranberry

Active Member
They are a stinging critter that also loves high nutrient environments. I pluck them like grass. I have a rock loaded with them in my volitan tank... haven't bothered to remove them yet.
 
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