Battling Red Bugs

[Bluejawtrigger]

Disclaimer: I am not an expert. This is only a summary or explanation of my experience. Please do research before attempting to get rid of any pest in your tank.







I had found Red Bugs in my tank by luck ( sounds funny). They are extremely hard to see. I had started to notice RTN on some one of my Acros, then a week laer another one. I finally spotted these little suckers on my Caroliniana Blonde. ( which is doing fine, thank God). I had to stare for awhile to see them finally move, at first thought it was just detrius or something. Ok, on to the treatment method I use.







First: Acquire Interceptor. You can get this at your local Vet. May need a Picture of your tank, and be prepared to explaing what you're doing. It is by prescription only. Dose amount: I went with 6.9mg. I based this off of a Rec. dose I found. 5.75mg per 100g of water volume. Remove all CUC and Inverts that you can catch. ( I had some that I couldn't catch that survived.







Second: Crush the pills in a container and fill with RO water. let it completely dissolve. Turn off Protein Skimmer and Carbon Reactor.







Third: I poured the solution into my third chamber of my sump, right at my return pump. I did this as to keep any undissolved meds getting ate by a fish.







Fourth: Let the solution run in the tank for 6-7 hours. I did 7, Side note: It wasn't until the 5 hour mark that I started to see them die off.







Fifth: Perform 20% water change, turn carbon reacto back on with fresh Carbon, turn skimmer on and set to run wet, Change out Filter Socks.







Sixth: Repeat this process 7 days later.



Quarantine your tank for 1 month. Nothing in, nothing out. That's how we get them. Be responsible.



Question: I have not been able to find a definative answer on: do Red Bugs lay Eggs or live birth? Only found Theories.







I know and traced the origin of where I obtained this pest. But, I am not going to openly shae that info. It has been dealt with.







I was shocked that they made it through my Dip process. ( Revive) This is wherer a QT Tank would come in handy for Corals. Wish I had the room.







Please fill free to add any extra info or ideas you may have. This is all open for debate.Even pick apart my process. I am open to learn and would hope this might help someone else.











Disclaimer: I am not an expert. This is only a summary or explanation of my experience. Please do research before attempting to get rid of any pest in your tank.







:blowup:

 

[-Logzor]

Increase to dosage and run it longer in your system is my recommendation.

To kill mine I ended up pulling the infected colony and doing an uber-concentrated amount to kill them.

 

[swannyson7]

One thing to note it's that Interceptor is becoming increasingly difficult to acquire. The factory has halted production and I've heard no definitive reason why. I've heard anything from patent law infringement to switching production to a higher priority drug to bankruptcy....

At any rate, it may take a bit of searching to find a vet with Interceptor on hand that is wiling to give you a script for your tank (some vets won't do it, regardless of how much documentation you provide because it's an off label use). I haven't read about any testing being done as of yet with the substitutes that are easily available, but I know of a few in the works.

 

[miyags]

I have lps corals and ran interceptor for 2 days before before water change and new carbon. With no problems at all. If I remember right, I think you dose it 3 times????

 

[MGoers]

Thanks for taking the time, Mark

 

[Bluejawtrigger]

Anytime McGoers.

Thanks everyone for the info on dosage amount. I thought I actually went a little over. Fingers crossed. I already did my second round, have no issues doing a third if needed. But, I can't find any in my tank. And I've been looking. That's why I suggested quarantine for a month. Keep the ideas and methods coming. thanks for participating. I think this kind of info really needs to get out there more.

 

[JimC]

One thing to note it's that Interceptor is becoming increasingly difficult to acquire. The factory has halted production and I've heard no definitive reason why. I've heard anything from patent law infringement to switching production to a higher priority drug to bankruptcy....

At any rate, it may take a bit of searching to find a vet with Interceptor on hand that is wiling to give you a script for your tank (some vets won't do it, regardless of how much documentation you provide because it's an off label use). I haven't read about any testing being done as of yet with the substitutes that are easily available, but I know of a few in the works.

FWIW, my Vet wrote me a lifetime script for Interceptor. I took it to CVS, yes they fill Interceptor.

The Pharmacist there informed me that they were out. She went on to say that the same factory that makes Interceptor also makes Excederin. Of course there was a mix up of the two. She said that the FDA has production stopped right now. She told me she expects production up and running by the new year.

I didn't research any further than that. Just passing along the info the Pharmacist at CVS shared with me...

She did look at me a little funny when I refused to take the HeartGuard she tried giving me in it's place.

 

[returnofsid]

FWIW, my Vet wrote me a lifetime script for Interceptor. I took it to CVS, yes they fill Interceptor.

The Pharmacist there informed me that they were out. She went on to say that the same factory that makes Interceptor also makes Excederin. Of course there was a mix up of the two. She said that the FDA has production stopped right now. She told me she expects production up and running by the new year.

I didn't research any further than that. Just passing along the info the Pharmacist at CVS shared with me...

She did look at me a little funny when I refused to take the HeartGuard she tried giving me in it's place.

My Vet also gives me a "revolving prescription." Once each year, I have to pay for a consultation, since the law says that a vet has to "see" the pet, once per year, for ongoing prescriptions.

I've heard a lot about the shortage of interceptor, on the forums. However, my vet hasn't heard anything about it AND just received their normal order, a few days ago.

As for dosage, one "Large Dog" pill will treat approximately 380 gallons. I typically treat our tanks twice a year, as a precautionary treatment. I use one complete pill, for our 200 gallon and one of the tiny Salifert Scoops of powdered Interceptor, for my 40 gallon. I'd previously calculated that scoop to treat approximately 50 gallons.

I do this treatment twice, 7 days apart, and do not do any water changes in between or after. I do attempt to catch and remove my shrimp, prior to treatment. Sometimes, I'm successful, sometimes I lose a shrimp or two.

I also dip all incoming SPS in Interceptor, at a much stronger dosage (1 tiny Salifert Scoop/3 gallons of water), for 4 hours. I recently acquired a colony that was practically covered in Red Bugs. The seller informed me, before hand. After one 4 hour dip, there were absolutely no signs of Red Bugs and the colony didn't stress at all.

About once per month, I photograph all of my SPS colonies, with a 100mm Macro lens. Then, after uploading, I magnify each photo and search very closely. In the past, this has been my best way of identifying Red Bugs. Since I started treating twice a year, I've never found a single bug in any of my tanks.

 

[Bluejawtrigger]

My Vet also gives me a "revolving prescription." Once each year, I have to pay for a consultation, since the law says that a vet has to "see" the pet, once per year, for ongoing prescriptions.

I've heard a lot about the shortage of interceptor, on the forums. However, my vet hasn't heard anything about it AND just received their normal order, a few days ago.

As for dosage, one "Large Dog" pill will treat approximately 380 gallons. I typically treat our tanks twice a year, as a precautionary treatment. I use one complete pill, for our 200 gallon and one of the tiny Salifert Scoops of powdered Interceptor, for my 40 gallon. I'd previously calculated that scoop to treat approximately 50 gallons.

I do this treatment twice, 7 days apart, and do not do any water changes in between or after. I do attempt to catch and remove my shrimp, prior to treatment. Sometimes, I'm successful, sometimes I lose a shrimp or two.

I also dip all incoming SPS in Interceptor, at a much stronger dosage (1 tiny Salifert Scoop/3 gallons of water), for 4 hours. I recently acquired a colony that was practically covered in Red Bugs. The seller informed me, before hand. After one 4 hour dip, there were absolutely no signs of Red Bugs and the colony didn't stress at all.

About once per month, I photograph all of my SPS colonies, with a 100mm Macro lens. Then, after uploading, I magnify each photo and search very closely. In the past, this has been my best way of identifying Red Bugs. Since I started treating twice a year, I've never found a single bug in any of my tanks.

Great idea!! Dosage: isn't the large pill 23mg? That why I went with 6.9mg when I figured my dosage. My vet didn't have any issues or shortage with interceptor either. She just put it on the dogs that I had before files. thank you for the info.

Edited: I misread previous post. Lol

 

[JimC]

My Vet also gives me a "revolving prescription." Once each year, I have to pay for a consultation, since the law says that a vet has to "see" the pet, once per year, for ongoing prescriptions.

I've heard a lot about the shortage of interceptor, on the forums. However, my vet hasn't heard anything about it AND just received their normal order, a few days ago.

As for dosage, one "Large Dog" pill will treat approximately 380 gallons. I typically treat our tanks twice a year, as a precautionary treatment. I use one complete pill, for our 200 gallon and one of the tiny Salifert Scoops of powdered Interceptor, for my 40 gallon. I'd previously calculated that scoop to treat approximately 50 gallons.

I do this treatment twice, 7 days apart, and do not do any water changes in between or after. I do attempt to catch and remove my shrimp, prior to treatment. Sometimes, I'm successful, sometimes I lose a shrimp or two.

I also dip all incoming SPS in Interceptor, at a much stronger dosage (1 tiny Salifert Scoop/3 gallons of water), for 4 hours. I recently acquired a colony that was practically covered in Red Bugs. The seller informed me, before hand. After one 4 hour dip, there were absolutely no signs of Red Bugs and the colony didn't stress at all.

About once per month, I photograph all of my SPS colonies, with a 100mm Macro lens. Then, after uploading, I magnify each photo and search very closely. In the past, this has been my best way of identifying Red Bugs. Since I started treating twice a year, I've never found a single bug in any of my tanks.

Nice. 2 weeks ago I visited 2 Vets and a drugstore and couldn't get any. Perhaps I'll try again this week.

I have always used 1 large pill per/100 gallons. I do that dosage at once/week for 3 weeks. I also dose a couple times a year as a precaution.

 

[-Logzor]

Ask for expired product, which they might give to you for free.

 

[cymaster007]

You described using salifert powder?? What is the name of the salifert product & I'm assuming it doesn't require a prescription like interceptor??

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Bluejawtrigger]

You described using salifert powder?? What is the name of the salifert product & I'm assuming it doesn't require a prescription like interceptor??

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2

I thought the same thing, first time I read it. I think, ( and correct me if I'm wrong) he's talking about using the scooper that comes with Salifert test. That's his method of measurement. And I may be wrong. If so, I won't some. Lol.

Seriously, I'm extremely happy with the participation I'm getting with this thread. I really think everyone should know this. Even if you never have to deal with it. ( hopefully).

 

[Acrokeeper3729]

I dip all incoming corals in interceptor as well as coralRX but I have not been able to get any interceptor locally lately and am seriously bumbed out about it. My vet is all out, and has no idea when they will get it back, tried 2 other Vets and same thing. I hope they get back to production soon or I will have to put a freeze on buying any new frags and that stinks.

 

[dknuckles]

I really hate to bumb out everyone but according to manufacturer website (Novartis) manufacturing of Interceptor has been "postponed" . Last word was restart in Jan/2012 but most online sites have deleted whole page and as of to date still not being manufactured

Another reefers vet confirmed full stop on the manufacturing and availability

 

[Bluejawtrigger]

Trying not to get bummed here. So , don't take any of this wrong. I'm just going to state thoughts that are running through my head. And probably anyone else's that has it is dealing with this issue.



: Would I have been better off leaving the red bugs alone? If I'm just going to get AEFM.



:If something that got killed during the interceptor dip was keeping AEFW in check. Would adding pods and CUC back into the system out them back in check? Plus the three wrasses I already have in the tank.



: With having over 100 corals on my tank. Removing all of them into a QT is not an option. So, should I just wait for everything to die. Cut my losses and go FOWLR. Because in in going to give the corals away with red bugs or AEFW.



I'll stop with just those. They sound negative or defeated, I know. But think about it, is treating the red bugs or AEFW a tank killer in its self? Is the cure worse than the disease? I'm just posting what I believe other people would or are thinking in these cases.



This post is in the spirit if the debate or info. It's important that these questions get answered for everyone. Need to know there's hope. Otherwise, why bother treating, just let the tank run its course and then start over. ( this is not what I am doing. Please read this as what it is: Questions that need to be answered to give hope if ever in this situation).



Answer to one: if killing red bugs crests a AEFW out break. Then replacing what was killed, except for the red bugs, should put them back in check. If not, then logically, the red bugs were keeping the AEFW in check. Right?



Please chime in or try and answer a few if these. I'm hoping for a positive response.



My belief: I am going to leave mine at the 2 treatments, a little over a week apart. I've got 2.5 weeks left on my quarantine. I've got new CUC and pods on the way. I will keep inspecting my tank. I'm going to buy some Bayer, frag some of my favorite acros, dip and put in a frag rack in my 20g. Just as a back up. Ripping my tank apart to quarantine all my acros in another tank is not an option. I am staying positive. I feel like 6.9mg treatments I've done was a little over moderate dose.



Check out this video on YouTube:<br/><br/>http://youtu.be/wyyerQNi_dg

 

[Bluejawtrigger]

I actually feel really good about my battle. Maybe I'm being naive. But, I've gone over my routines, tank history, inspection process. People who know me, know I'm a nut when it comes to my tank. But thinking about it, I've got a positive attitude. It can happen to anyone, and I jumped on it as soon as I found out. The thoughts I posted past through my mind for a moment. But, I thought it was good to post those that's as I'm sure others have had the same. it's important to stay positive and look at these issues from all angles. It can be beat.

 

[Bluejawtrigger]

Has anyone on here had a AEFW outbreak after doing a large dose? I'm hearing on other forums that it is common to have it after doing a heavy dose.