FWE risk?
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tclipse
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Watch out for your brittle stars, I used the 1.5x dose per the instructions and my brittles all freaked out... the largest didnt move for a couple of days but recovered fine, it killed some of the micro white brittle stars that live in the sand. I did a test separate from my tank with a micro white brittle to make sure it wasn't toxins from the FW's, it was dead in less than half an hour.
That being said, I still recommend the stuff, it worked great for me... I had a few NoID nudis and a few flatworms, nothing bad... but haven't seen a single one of either since, and the larger majority (I'd say 90%) of the brittles recovered okay.
That being said, I still recommend the stuff, it worked great for me... I had a few NoID nudis and a few flatworms, nothing bad... but haven't seen a single one of either since, and the larger majority (I'd say 90%) of the brittles recovered okay.
mfinn
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It did not harm my zoanthid tank at 4x the reccommended dose.
As reported, messed up the brittle stars for a while.
In several different tanks, I've done a 3X recommended dose, with no negative effects at all on any beneficial critters. Some critters became sluggish, but all recovered.
The main risk, when using FWE, is in the toxins that the flatworms release, when they die. It's very important to remove as many as possible, manually, prior to treatment. It's just as important to remove as many dead ones, as possible, after treatment. Not following these two important steps can completely crash your tank. Have SW available to do a large water change and have carbon ready. Before treatment, inspect the low flow areas, as that's where the flatworms will concentrate. Siphon as many out as you can find.
Within about a minute of beginning treatment, you'll notice dead/dying flatworms floating around. A lot of dead/dying flatworms will also stick to your live rock. Use a turkey baster or power head to blow all of your live rock off, putting the dead FWs into suspension. Use a brine shrimp net to net out as many dead ones as possible.
The main risk, when using FWE, is in the toxins that the flatworms release, when they die. It's very important to remove as many as possible, manually, prior to treatment. It's just as important to remove as many dead ones, as possible, after treatment. Not following these two important steps can completely crash your tank. Have SW available to do a large water change and have carbon ready. Before treatment, inspect the low flow areas, as that's where the flatworms will concentrate. Siphon as many out as you can find.
Within about a minute of beginning treatment, you'll notice dead/dying flatworms floating around. A lot of dead/dying flatworms will also stick to your live rock. Use a turkey baster or power head to blow all of your live rock off, putting the dead FWs into suspension. Use a brine shrimp net to net out as many dead ones as possible.
Leonard
Valuable Member
After FWE, a lot of my fish died. This probably has more to do with the toxins my FWs released then the actual chemical, but be careful. Have fresh saltwater ready for a WC and run a lot of carbon 30 minutes after dosing.
Leonard, you're absolutely correct, in assuming that the fish death was due to the toxins released by the dead/dying Flatworms. It's very critical to NOT underestimate these toxins, nor to underestimate the number of flatworms in your tank. Typically, there's 10X the amount of flatworms that you actually see. It's absolutely critical to remove as many as possible, before and immediately after treatment, to limit the amount of toxins that are released. I've seen people lose their entire tanks, fish/corals/clams/anemones, by not taking these precautions. As long as the treatment is done correctly, following these precautions, FWE is very effective and completely safe.
I would recommend always doing a 3X the recommended dosage though. The recommended dosage seems to never be enough and it's been found, countless times, that 3X the recommended dose is completely safe.
I would recommend always doing a 3X the recommended dosage though. The recommended dosage seems to never be enough and it's been found, countless times, that 3X the recommended dose is completely safe.
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