difficulty finding quarantine info for chaeto

[saltyfish24]

I've been trying to find a way to quarantine chaeto. I'd like to get rid of flatworms, bristleworms, apitasia, etc from chaeto I receive from local reefers. Basically clean the chaeto so it's just chaeto and not anything else.

It seems like other people just brush off bristleworms and say it's good for the tank. But it's not really something I want right now. And as for aiptasia, they say to just throw the chaeto away, which isn't very helpful.

I know there are "clean" algae options out there, but they're expensive. And I know there are fish that will eat some types of pests, but I have a nano tank and I can't have those types of fish in my size tank with my other inhabitants. I see quarantining as part of the aquarium experience, I don't really mind it. Kind of like some people see living with bristleworms as part of the aquarium experience. I'm just searching for more info on how to quarantine more effectively.

My initial idea was to start with a fresh water dip, then a coral dip, and then treat with Flatworm Exit, and then the chaeto stay in QT tank for two weeks for observation with regular complete water changes. I'm not sure that will be enough to ensure apitasia is taken cared of though.

 

[TX_REEF]

I'd think freshwater with bayer or other pest control substance would do the trick. just be sure to rinse well after so you don't get harmful chemicals into the tank which may kill beneficial organisms.

Clean chaeto also isn't that bad expense wise considering it's technically an unlimited supply you just buy once.

 

[saltyfish24]

I'd think freshwater with bayer or other pest control substance would do the trick. just be sure to rinse well after so you don't get harmful chemicals into the tank which may kill beneficial organisms.

Clean chaeto also isn't that bad expense wise considering it's technically an unlimited supply you just buy once.

Thanks, I didn't know about Bayer. Since there might be eggs of whatever is in the chaeto, I'm guessing the Bayer dip might need to be repeated during the quarantine period. Like Bayer dip, wait 3 days, dip again.

I was going to use Flatworm Exit on the chaeto, but it looks like Bayer takes its place.

I've read people complain that their chaeto from Algaebarn introduce aiptasia to their tank. Don't know how true that is. But if I'm going to have to QT regardless of clean or unclean chaeto, I feel like I can just get chaeto for free and do the QT.

It's like QTing fish. If you're going to do your own QT, might as well not buy pre-QT fish that's more expensive, right?

 

[TX_REEF]

Thanks, I didn't know about Bayer. Since there might be eggs of whatever is in the chaeto, I'm guessing the Bayer dip might need to be repeated during the quarantine period. Like Bayer dip, wait 3 days, dip again.

I was going to use Flatworm Exit on the chaeto, but it looks like Bayer takes its place.

I've read people complain that their chaeto from Algaebarn introduce aiptasia to their tank. Don't know how true that is. But if I'm going to have to QT regardless of clean or unclean chaeto, I feel like I can just get chaeto for free and do the QT.

It's like QTing fish. If you're going to do your own QT, might as well not buy pre-QT fish that's more expensive, right?

aiptasia is tricky, there's not much you can do to get rid of it once it's in. Anything that would kill it would likely kill the chaeto too (i.e drying out, extended fresh water submersion)

If you happen to encounter aiptasia, you can spot treat it with aiptasiax, but as they say where theres smoke theres fire so likely more unseen. Most folks who get rid of aiptasia "permanently" do so with butterflies or berghia...

All that being said, I wouldn't sweat it too much. Most hitchhikers you'd get in chaeto are beneficial.

 

[bradreef]

I've, started with a smaller amount of cheato so I can see what's in it. Dipped Bayer and then coral rx. Left in ro water for hours after. It lived and I used it.