HELP I have flatworms

m8298 · 07-14-2007, 08:34 AM

Well, I finally got my first case of flatworms. I have had them for a couple weeks now and just figured out what they are. I've been try to suck as many as I can out and I bought some Flatworm Exit. I am reluctant to try thr Flatworm Exit until I have a better understanding of how to clean up after. The tank is a 90 gallon mixed reef with about 100-125 pounds of live rock. My biggest question that is holding me back is how do I know how mnay flatworms are in, under, or behind the rock? And how do I make sure I clean them all out after I treat? I figure the actual water volume in the tank to be 75-80 gallons with the sump/fuge and Planned on change 15-20 gallons of water after. Is that enough or should I change more? I only have three buckets, and I like to mix my water in advance.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

***lReef lKeeper*** · 07-14-2007, 10:00 AM

FWIW, IMO, every tank has flatworms in it. a lot of people say that they come and go. i would not use the flatworm exit yet, instead try increasing your flow to the areas that you see the majority of them in. flatworms have a very weak gripping ability, meaning that they can not hang on to the rock or substrate very good. they say that with enough flow you can get them to naturally disipate. you could also try getting a six line wrasse to eat them. i guess you can tell that i dont like to add chemicals unless everything else has been treid. HTH and keep us posted.

m8298 · 07-14-2007, 11:02 AM

I kinda feel the same way. But where I see them the most is on the sand and along the bottom. I've been either sucking them up or scooping them.

**CarmieJo** · 07-14-2007, 11:10 AM

Which flatworms are they?

***lReef lKeeper*** · 07-14-2007, 12:56 PM

when i had them all i did was up the flow across the SB, and within a couple of weeks they were gone.

Braves11 · 07-15-2007, 01:40 PM

I just mentioned this in another thread, but there was an article in TFH a few months back that suggests the natural way of not doing anything about your problem. Flatworms will just continue to populate your tank until the group crashes and dies from a lack of nutrients.

jmgpr7 · 07-15-2007, 01:50 PM

I had that problem once I agree with them but in my case i had an infaction and i needed a quick solution they were harming my Flower Pot and soom of my LPS. I started my treatment with some tankmates. I added a Target Mandarin and a Yellow Coris Wrasse this fish are potential flat worm predators. In about 2 to 3 weeks the problem was under control. That MO

Good Luck

m8298 · 07-15-2007, 03:39 PM

Mine look just like those in the pic.

How do you increase flow across the sandbed without disturbing the sandbed?

Anyone else have luck with a Mandarin or Wrasse?

jmgpr7 · 07-15-2007, 05:46 PM

I didin't increase the water flow in the aquarium.

the solution for one of my tanks were this two great fish LOL, the yellow cori wrasse and the Target Mandarin Goby.

If this dosen't work for you will have other solution like the Flat Worm Exit is a nice product you can find in a few site and even in some local pet store.

sorry for my english and writing that because i'm form Puerto Rico

**CarmieJo** · 07-15-2007, 09:06 PM

Don't worry about your English, you are doing fine.