Battled red and white bugs... pictures below.

[reef surgeon]

So I have a waterbox 180.5 sps dominated now about 1.5 years running. I battled red and white bugs but was only really aware of the redbugs at that time. This was about six months ago did interceptor treatment. 0.5 large dog tablet tablet x 3 weeks. Red bugs were completely eliminated. White bugs must have been beat back but eventually repopulated and while coral health bounced back it then took a turn for the worst months later. looking at older photos they were unaffected by original treatment in terms of death. Upon further inspection the white bugs were identified after coral health decline. these are alot harder to see but seem to irritate the coral and cause them to slime much more than red bugs. They are also alot harder to treat. I am currently treating with a higher dose of interceptor 1.5 large dog tablet per week for 3 weeks. So far after first dose no white bugs are visible. fingers crossed. I have attached pictures below to help others identify them.

 

[vetteguy53081]

So I have a waterbox 180.5 sps dominated now about 1.5 years running. I battled red and white bugs but was only really aware of the redbugs at that time. This was about six months ago did interceptor treatment. 0.5 large dog tablet tablet x 3 weeks. Red bugs were completely eliminated. White bugs must have been beat back but eventually repopulated and while coral health bounced back it then took a turn for the worst months later. looking at older photos they were unaffected by original treatment in terms of death. Upon further inspection the white bugs were identified after coral health decline. these are alot harder to see but seem to irritate the coral and cause them to slime much more than red bugs. They are also alot harder to treat. I am currently treating with a higher dose of interceptor 1.5 large dog tablet per week for 3 weeks. So far after first dose no white bugs are visible. fingers crossed. I have attached pictures below to help others identify them.

Cant see anything in blue pics as too little white light intensity but the first pic looks to be red bugs. They feed particularly on smooth skin SPS and feed off coral tissue. While dipping coral can help, interceptor pill is most effective. They are a type of copepod bug and yes interceptor pill crushed is often a solution to knocking them down.
Do realize interceptor can and will likely kill inverts, crabs-shrimps-pods and I therefore recommend removing all inverts OR treat the coral in a separate tank without inverts and will also reduce amount of the interceptor needed.
Treat 3 times a week for 3 weeks at 25mg per 20 gallons of water. Each pill needs to be ground up with a hammer and should treat about 400 gal. Do application initially. About 8 hours later, add another. Then blow the coral GENTLY with a turkey baster and 8 hours later add another dosage. DO NOT repeat until day 7 doing another 3 treaments every 8 hours.
REMOVE CARBON AND TURN OFF ANY UV STERILIZERS AND SKIMMER UNITS.
Each 7 day periods, do a water change and siphon surfaces.

1. You need the 51-100lb (23mg) plain interceptor (not plus)
2. 1 pill per 100g at a minimum
3. Treat every week for 3 weeks

 

[SPSDomination]

How do you obtain the interceptor? Dealing with white bugs right now.

 

[One Reefing Boi]

How do you obtain the interceptor? Dealing with white bugs right now.

Same here

Cant see anything in blue pics as too little white light intensity but the first pic looks to be red bugs. They feed particularly on smooth skin SPS and feed off coral tissue. While dipping coral can help, interceptor pill is most effective. They are a type of copepod bug and yes interceptor pill crushed is often a solution to knocking them down.
Do realize interceptor can and will likely kill inverts, crabs-shrimps-pods and I therefore recommend removing all inverts OR treat the coral in a separate tank without inverts and will also reduce amount of the interceptor needed.
Treat 3 times a week for 3 weeks at 25mg per 20 gallons of water. Each pill needs to be ground up with a hammer and should treat about 400 gal. Do application initially. About 8 hours later, add another. Then blow the coral GENTLY with a turkey baster and 8 hours later add another dosage. DO NOT repeat until day 7 doing another 3 treaments every 8 hours.
REMOVE CARBON AND TURN OFF ANY UV STERILIZERS AND SKIMMER UNITS.
Each 7 day periods, do a water change and siphon surfaces.

1. You need the 51-100lb (23mg) plain interceptor (not plus)
2. 1 pill per 100g at a minimum
3. Treat every week for 3 weeks

This is for white bugs?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Same here


This is for white bugs?

Yiou can use for red and black bugs. While it will have effect on white bugs, dip such as coralRX will also knock them down

 

[One Reefing Boi]

Yiou can use for red and black bugs. While it will have effect on white bugs, dip such as coralRX will also knock them down

My frags are small colonies at this point so I really don’t think I can dip in Rx. I have white bugs and my dog has extra of the 11.5mg of Interceptor so I guess I’ll try the dose above you suggested

 

[One Reefing Boi]

Yiou can use for red and black bugs. While it will have effect on white bugs, dip such as coralRX will also knock them down

Do I do any WC or anything between doses of the interceptor? Or carbon etc…

I also have a bajillion and a half bristle worms, are they gonna die off and nuke my tank and any issues with urchins?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Do I do any WC or anything between doses of the interceptor? Or carbon etc…

I also have a bajillion and a half bristle worms, are they gonna die off and nuke my tank and any issues with urchins?

Bristleworms Will be affected and water change after the first 2-3 doses

 

[One Reefing Boi]

Bristleworms Will be affected and water change after the first 2-3 doses

How long after for WC should I wait?

 

[vetteguy53081]

How long after for WC should I wait?

To clarify. do a treatment, . Repeat in 24 hrs. Allow to run 7 days and change water, then add another treatment to last 7 days, not 7 days in a row and change water. If gone- Great. If not, repeat ONE more treatment then water change and add carbon

 

[pcorpion]

Hey vetteguy could you give me the link or recipe protocol to kill white or black bugs . I am creating a journal and would like to notate this for future reference.

Thanks brother
Pedro corpion

 

[PeterErc]

Check out this thread, should answer all your questions and more. Or do search for white bugs in the SPS forum. Plenty of other threads as well.

White bugs just need a stronger dose and 3 treatments a week apart.