AEFW Questions

sternicus · Nov 19, 2018

So I had AEFW in my 180g that is since broken down. I moved some corals over to my new coral QT, and the corals are most LPS with a Montipora and a cats paw colony. My new tank will be here in 4-5 weeks so I’m wondering will the corals in my QT have any flatworms after this period away from Acros? What above my dry rock? It was sent through a Muriatic Acid bath and has been drying in the sun and will sit dry for 4-5 more weeks. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Here is a pic of the Coral QT

Scorpius · Nov 19, 2018

I would do twice weekly dips in Bayer for at least one month to cover your rear end. Even though those coral don't normally harbor AEFW, I wouldn't trust it especially if you're going to start your main display over. Why even remotely have the chance of getting AEFW again. Been there, done that.

I'm sorry you have to deal with AEFW, as it's no fun and pretty disheartening.

Graffiti Spot · Nov 20, 2018

If there are no acros in there then any eggs that are going to hatch will die very quickly without acropora to eat. So in theory you should be able to do one dip after 5 weeks of qt to kill any tiny babies that would have just hatched. The live rock should be fine if it was acid washed. Without any acropora in the qt I wouldn't worry about dipping weekly but if your paranoid about it then it will make you feel better.

DesertReefT4r · Nov 20, 2018

I would be doing a few dips for sure in the coming weeks. AEFW suxk and you dont want to re introduce them into your new tank. In the future either keep a QT tank running and QT all new fish and corals or at the min dip every coral that goes into your tank. Until I get a small QT tank I dip, scrub and inspect all new corals. You should go ahead and start curing your rock now. 4-5 weeks of curing, cooking and cycling the rock in saltwater in a dark container like a Brute will ensure that the rock is clean, full of bacteria and ready to get the tank going. The last thing you want is to have a bunch of po4 leaching ojt in your display. Trust me on this I am cooking some dry live rock now and its been leaching po4 for over a month and it started at 10 yes Ten ppm! After a month and 100% water changes po4 is down to .5 ppm.