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View Full Version : Crisis Avoided (So far)


unleashed
02-09-2009, 12:03 AM
Well, yesterday I decided to take care of my flatworm problem by dosing Salifert Flatworm eXit.

I followed the instructions to a T, and even under-dosed the chemical.

Firstly I removed as many flatworms as possible then dosed the chemical. Within 5 minutes the any remaining worms started to come out of the rock work and die. I immediately placed 500g of activated carbon into the tank (as per instructions.

About an hour later, I did a 30% water change. Everything was fine for the next few hours until lights out.

However, this morning I went to the garage to check the tank and the first thing I noticed before I even saw the tank was the smell. The tank absolutely stank and the skimmer was overflowing with bright red skimmate from the flatworms). All the corals were closed but all the fish and shrimp were acting normally.

I quickly used up my last 50 or so liters of seawater doing a water change and then rushed to the LFS to buy salt as the tides were not suitable for NSW collection.

I have been working on the tank since about 8 this morning till now (1pm). Everything looks ok, corals are still closed, and most of the fish are hiding.

However, the is now very little odor at all but the skimmer did (and still is) producing bright red/orange skimmate.

So, hopefully everything should be fine.

William
02-09-2009, 12:13 AM
I will hope for the best.

rageybug
02-09-2009, 12:48 AM
Yikes, sounds like a mess.

unleashed
02-09-2009, 12:56 AM
Trust me, the entire process of removing the flatworms to dealing with the rancid water makes the term 'mess' and understatement.

In actual fact, it is not the chemical which is dangerous, it is the bodily fluids released by the flatworms which is dangerous to the tank inhabitants

Sharon
02-09-2009, 01:31 AM
Sounds like your day was as bad as mine!

jimpierce
02-09-2009, 06:07 AM
sounds like quite an undertaking for sure!!! I sure wish I could use NSW.

coachfraley
02-09-2009, 07:04 AM
Sounds rough unleashed...I hope it all works out ok!!!

Dave66
02-09-2009, 07:36 AM
Good luck to you, unleashed, hope the tank rebounds. Corals closed up to protect themselves from the 'juices' from the dead flatworms. Soon as all traces are gone, they'll open up again.

Dave

unleashed
02-10-2009, 02:12 AM
Well, some semi-good news.

I seem to have lost all of my blue-eyed cardinals. However, the other fish and shrimp are ok. All of my zoos are open and my xenia are starting to open. Star polyps are still closed along with my mushies

Will keep you updated

coachfraley
02-10-2009, 05:54 AM
If your start polyps are anything like mine were, they should be a pretty good indicator of the water quality. That is one good thing about GSP, it sure lets you know when it is pissed.

It is good to hear that things are improving a little...hopefully it will continue.