Thank God For KMnO4

[MountainReefer]

So after buying frag packs from a couple of reefers, my tank exploded with a Montipora Eating Nudibranch infestation. I believe they came from a reefer north of Pittsburgh who does not post on this forum so I'm not pointing fingers at anybody here. Anyway, I ordered some lab grade KMnO4, potassium permanganate, because I've heard it kills the evil little guys. Not only do they literally DISINTIGRATE in the stuff, but the eggs turn brown and are much easier to see. Thus far, the coral looks OK. I'll update when I know for sure.

I treated with about 50 to 60 milligrams per liter.

I think I treated just in time because there were probably about 1000 eggs on the underside of my large green cap. I've already lost about 80% of the montiporas in the tank :( because they were small frags, and I have been throwing them away as the nudibranch spread. I've read some stories about them eating acros too, and I can't afford to replace my entire tank.

 

[cee]

I don't have the nudis but would like to know your source for potassium permanganate. I'd like to get some for other reasons. Can you reveal your source? Thanks.

 

[gar732]

Are you dosing directly in your display? Does it affect snails, shrimp or other inverts? I've been battling them and every time I think I've got them beat, more show up.

 

[CoralBandit]

Cee - when I used to work in Ochem lab we got stuff from Fisher scientific they may be able to point you in the right direction at least to whom they sell to. There is another company but I cant remember the name I will ask around and see if someone knows.

 

[cee]

Thanks. Seeing your post and location reminded me that I had seen it at Aquatic Ecosystem in the past. Indeed it is still there!

 

[floridareef]

Great info, sorry about your corals pests, keep us posted on the recovery of your tank!

 

[MountainReefer]

You don't dose it directly in the display. I was just happy that I fond something that would kill them. Unfortunately, the dose that I used also killed the coral. Oh well, I have frags of the original colony that are about to take off.

I recommend dipping for less than 1.5hrs and with a dose less than mine. I followed the instructions posted somewhere by (i think) eric borneman that said 50ppm for ~1.5hrs