Can bristleworms be avoided?

[MBCook]

I've liked saltwater tanks for a long time, and I'm thinking of getting into the hobby. I've been looking at various take size options, trying to figure out my budgets, and just learning more about the hobby in general. But there is one question I haven't seen asked in my research. Can bristleworms be avoided?

I know that bristleworms are generally harmless and can be considered free clean up crew members. I also know they hide during the day and you usually don't see them. But there is one issue:

I find them creepy as heck.

If you use dry rock, dry sand, and dip corals to kill any that may be trying to hitchhike is it possible to run a tank without them? I've gotten them impression that they are very hard (impossible?) to remove once they get into a tank.

Is a bristleworm free tank a realistic possibility?

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Hello and #WelcometoR2R @MBCook

Yes, if you do as planned you can keep them out. But, fear not even if they get in does not mean they will always be in there. I am with you about the icky factor, but to be honest after a few years of my tank not having them I kind of miss them. My tank used to have ones inches long, after a few years they disappeared. There are other tank creatures that use them as food. They do add diversity along with other benefits like clean up you mentioned.

 

[NashobaTek]

Yes it is possible. I have a bristle worm free tank, when I ordered a CUC from ipsf in Hawaii he worked with me and made sure that I got what I wanted. No bristle worms and no hermits.