WMAS Discussion Forum : Getting Rid of Red Flatworms http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Sat, 18 Jul 2026 08:16:15 +0000 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 14:55:16 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=65205 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Getting Rid of Red Flatworms : I have not heard of those...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65205&PID=528608&title=getting-rid-of-red-flatworms#528608 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 65205
Posted: June 29 2013 at 2:55pm

I have not heard of those studies but I'm not sure it matters. In my use of Lavamisole using the method of close observation during increasing dosage, I cannot remember ever having problems with SPS. I have seen too many hobbyists ruin their tank with the full dosage procedure because they had no idea there was such a massive population of the little buggers. (For every visible flatworm there are dozens more.)

A large population of Flatworms dieing all at once can poison the water to the extreme. It could be a response similar to the defense mechanism of a Sea Slug or as Flatworm Exit suggests in the instructions, their toxic body fluids expelled as they die, but one thing is clear - It can be lethal to almost all organisms.

I encourage use of the modified procedure for both products. I believe it is a logical approach to the use of such powerful chemicals in the infinitely variable environments of our reef aquariums. For me, it also makes things a lot nicer because it is so much easier to change AC than do large water changes. Speaking of the variable environment of each different aquarium, I also suggest that if a reasonable attempt with one product does not complete the job, try the other product. (Unfortunately, I have seen a few Flatworms hang on at 2x full dosage.)

That's my 2 cents.

Aloha,
Mark Hug



Edited by Mark Peterson - June 29 2013 at 3:05pm]]> Sat, 29 Jun 2013 14:55:16 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65205&PID=528608&title=getting-rid-of-red-flatworms#528608 <![CDATA[Getting Rid of Red Flatworms : +1000 on flat worm exit, good...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65205&PID=528513&title=getting-rid-of-red-flatworms#528513 Author: beege29
Subject: 65205
Posted: June 28 2013 at 1:49pm

+1000 on flat worm exit, good stuff, i used it one time to kill 1000's of the litlle buggers, need a healthy waterchange after they are all scooped out or filtered out though. And it didn't harm a single coral (sps and lps) or fish.


Edited by beege29 - June 28 2013 at 1:50pm]]> Fri, 28 Jun 2013 13:49:23 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65205&PID=528513&title=getting-rid-of-red-flatworms#528513 <![CDATA[Getting Rid of Red Flatworms : Levamisole is a pig dewormer and...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65205&PID=528499&title=getting-rid-of-red-flatworms#528499 Author: ReefdUp
Subject: 65205
Posted: June 28 2013 at 11:19am

Levamisole is a pig dewormer and has been shown time and time again to cause 40-60% losses in sps...which the OP stated he has.

I have not tried the above "modified procedure" but I would highly caution against levamisole. There are much safer treatments, such as FWE.]]> Fri, 28 Jun 2013 11:19:11 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65205&PID=528499&title=getting-rid-of-red-flatworms#528499 <![CDATA[Getting Rid of Red Flatworms : Aloha.There is a chemical that...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65205&PID=528488&title=getting-rid-of-red-flatworms#528488 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 65205
Posted: June 28 2013 at 9:30am

Aloha.

There is a chemical that does a great job eradicating Flatworms and it is less costly than FW Exit. It's called Levamisole Hydrochloride and I have some. For a 5 gal tank it would take like $5 of the stuff. I would be happy to help you clear up this problem. Here is the thread we did which discusses the modified procedure that saves a lot of the hassle and ensures nothing in the tank is lost. This thread is located in the WMAS Reefkeeping Tips:

How to eradicate pest Flatworms: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=31636

Mahalo,
Mark Hug
808-345-1049 call/text anytime
]]> Fri, 28 Jun 2013 09:30:55 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65205&PID=528488&title=getting-rid-of-red-flatworms#528488 <![CDATA[Getting Rid of Red Flatworms : +1 to flat worm exit. Cleaned...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65205&PID=528458&title=getting-rid-of-red-flatworms#528458 Author: Hogie
Subject: 65205
Posted: June 27 2013 at 8:50pm

+1 to flat worm exit. Cleaned mine right up when I had a had an outbreak a while ago. ]]> Thu, 27 Jun 2013 20:50:20 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65205&PID=528458&title=getting-rid-of-red-flatworms#528458 <![CDATA[Getting Rid of Red Flatworms : Flatworm Exit or other like product...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65205&PID=528457&title=getting-rid-of-red-flatworms#528457 Author: ReefdUp
Subject: 65205
Posted: June 27 2013 at 7:57pm

Flatworm Exit or other like product (a few other companies sell something similar.) You can also use PraziPro, but it's a little too good.

Follow the directions with FWE...siphon out as many as you can first.

Also, study after study has shown that wrasses do not actually ingest the flatworms, and if a piece of flatworm brain tissue remains, it can regenerate itself. Wrasses can help control them by nibbling, but they're not 100%.]]> Thu, 27 Jun 2013 19:57:59 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65205&PID=528457&title=getting-rid-of-red-flatworms#528457 <![CDATA[Getting Rid of Red Flatworms : Flatworm exit and call it good....]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65205&PID=528456&title=getting-rid-of-red-flatworms#528456 Author: Adam Blundell
Subject: 65205
Posted: June 27 2013 at 7:52pm

Flatworm exit and call it good.  Stuff is amazing.

Adam
]]> Thu, 27 Jun 2013 19:52:34 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65205&PID=528456&title=getting-rid-of-red-flatworms#528456 <![CDATA[Getting Rid of Red Flatworms : aceofspadeskb wrote:scratch...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65205&PID=528421&title=getting-rid-of-red-flatworms#528421 Author: Krazie4Acans
Subject: 65205
Posted: June 27 2013 at 3:12pm

Originally posted by aceofspadeskb aceofspadeskb wrote:

scratch that...5 gallon tank.
 
My thought too until I saw tank size. A coris wrasse might help but that is not their favorite food like the melanarus.
 
I've had potters wrasse that ate them also, but again a bit large for 5 gallon. Best bet might just be the chemical warfare.
]]> Thu, 27 Jun 2013 15:12:18 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65205&PID=528421&title=getting-rid-of-red-flatworms#528421 <![CDATA[Getting Rid of Red Flatworms : scratch that...5 gallon tank. ]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65205&PID=528419&title=getting-rid-of-red-flatworms#528419 Author: aceofspadeskb
Subject: 65205
Posted: June 27 2013 at 3:06pm

scratch that...5 gallon tank.]]> Thu, 27 Jun 2013 15:06:26 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65205&PID=528419&title=getting-rid-of-red-flatworms#528419 <![CDATA[Getting Rid of Red Flatworms : Melanurus wrasse.http://www.li...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65205&PID=528418&title=getting-rid-of-red-flatworms#528418 Author: aceofspadeskb
Subject: 65205
Posted: June 27 2013 at 3:05pm

Melanurus wrasse.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1379+2285&pcatid=2285]]> Thu, 27 Jun 2013 15:05:05 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65205&PID=528418&title=getting-rid-of-red-flatworms#528418