Nuking a Tank for Parasites.

[Whitebird1]

I pride myself on having a parasite free system. Recently, I took in a few frags that may have had zoa nudis, anyway, I saw one and proceeded to dip the suspected Zoas. Ok, I confirmed 6 Nudis, not good. Immediately I treated the whole system with saifert flatworm exit at the recommended 4 times the standard dose and this has been documented to eradicate the infestation. A second treatment is recommended because the nudi eggs are unaffected. Well that's why I posted this here. Current dose of flatworm exit I am using is 8 TIMES THE RECOMMENDED DOSE BY INSTRUCTIONS. As precautions, I removed all inverts, snails, shrimp ect, and have water ready for a change, carbon if needed.
1 hour and no visible ill affects!!! All zoas, softy's and corals are showing no distress. Any feed back?? I believe I have new level of dosing. Next is to hit each colony and frag with a turkey blaster and see if any further parasites are found.

 

[GregW]

Ok Mr. Terminator. 8) If 4x worked the first time why are you going up to 8x on the 2nd treatment for the newly hatched nudis?

 

[Whitebird1]

Terminator No, Persistent yes. Some of the Cures posted online have been assumed as the remedy for the problem, most if posted, are assumed to be the the cure. I test this and have found that some may have worked for the author but may not work under under other conditions. I have now 5 tanks with over, not including my display tank, a lot of frags 5++.
I also take in members colony's that are are in distress and my success ration is pretty good.
Current Results.
Flatworm Exit. Very affective as directive for flatwormms, as per nudis, just may stun them and further methods may be required.
Is this good for a start greg?

 

[GregW]

I think I'm going to have to give your method a try. I've used flatworm exit, as directed, a few times this year and I think I've created super flatworms. You know - killed of the weak ones and the more resistant ones survive are reproduce. Did you take ALL inverts out? Maybe you could throw a hermit and snail in to see how/if they are affected. How long do you plan to treat at 8x before you do a water change and carbon?

 

[Whitebird1]

Next day after treatment with 8X dose flatworm exit, no bad effects that I can see, lights on and zoos are open, SPS have polyp extension, softy's are fine. Fish, False perc pair, good. Inverts, the few snails are fine, as are the hermits and the coral Banded Shrimp. Even the grass shrimp are swimming around as normal. I even just checked the sump and observed pods. The first dosing did eliminate Bristal worms, stunned them, they came out of the rocks and were removed. Star Fish, remove before treatment!!
I suspect that overdosing with Flatworm Exit is not a concern. As a dip, 4-8 drops per small container of tank water is safe and effective against parasites.
I plan on doing a 3/4 water change today and run carbon.
As a confirmation, I plan on doing dips later this week on a number of frags just to see if anything comes off but I suspect that this should have done the job.
Any further changes I will add to the post.
GregH

 

[GregW]

How long did you wait before you did a water change and added carbon?

 

[Whitebird1]

Less that 24 hours, in smaller containers, at this higher doses, parasites died within minutes and the frags showed no sign of distress, lower doses just seemed to stun them. Experimented with Lugals=Useless, Fresh water=Too Brutal, Paragon=Useless, Revive= Still Playing with it. Hope this helps.
If your treating for Flat Worms be aware of the toxicity they produce when they die and have Carbon and water ready just in case.
GregH