Foamy water and bristle worms

[Theresa Groomes]

Recently I treated my tank for brown algae with erythromycin as recommended by my local saltwater pet shop. Erythromycin had no effect on algea. So, in taking the rock out to clean, I discovered bristle worms. Bought trap, and made a home made trap. Caught a few but none in the past few days. My tank is 3 ft deep and over 6 ft tall on the stand, making it hard to clean the sand. I hope someone has a suggestion on cleaning tips without scuba diving. Also how long can the water foam in my protein skimmer? I've let it run and foam for hours several times. I have also done a 30 gal water change shortly after treatment. I am using to water. Thanks much.

 

[lapin]

The erythromycin has killed off a lot of your bacteria population, Both in the rock and in the water. Until that is removed or settled you will have a foamy skimmer. There are not many off the shelf tools for cleaning deep tanks. Most people like me make there own extensions to get down into the tank. For a sand vac I have a fiberglass driveway rod taped to the python gravel vac.

 

[Theresa Groomes]

Thank you for that. I've been using a net attached to a dowel rod to sift the sand. I'm not sure how well that works.

 

[SDK]

How old is your tank and can you post some test results?

Most run protein skimmers 24/7 and there is not really a limit as to how long they can run. They are supposed to produce foam. Do you mean it’s overflowing or just foaming?

The bristle worms are actually helpful clean up crew and are working to keep your substrate clean.

If your tank is newish you probably need to stop intervening so much. Let it settle down and get some more help here. Step one would be to post everything you can about the tank and it’s current inhabitants.

 

[Theresa Groomes]

No, it isn't foaming profusely.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

If you want cleaner sand, stop trapping your janitors!

 

[Theresa Groomes]

Huh?

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Bristleworms are wonderful at cleaning your tank, let them.

I would advise you disregard the advice you get from that LFS. Erythromycin is an antibiotic that will have zero effect on algae but will kill bacteria. Bacteria is important to your tank and you dont want to kill it off.

 

[Theresa Groomes]

Well...I wish I would have posted in here sooner. Hind sight tight? As for the worms, I think they killed my clown fish. I can't be sure but he's gone without anything left but a fin. The worms look gray under the lights but darker away from it. I'm unable to determine if they are fire worms as this is my first b time dealing with this. Thank you for your help. Is there a product to put back bacteria such as stability?

 

[SDK]

The worms possibly consumed the dead clownfish, but definitely did not kill it.

If you would like to answer all of the questions I asked you above it would be easier for members to help you. Let us know:

Tank size and how long it’s been running
Complete and recent parameters
What fish and corals you are stocking.
Your lighting, filtration and flow devices.

 

[High ICP]

What is the rationale for an anti bacterial antibiotic reef system?

It doesn’t kill algae

 

[SDK]

What is the rationale for an anti bacterial antibiotic reef system?

It doesn’t kill algae

Most likely the hallmark strategy of a poor LFS.

“Oh, you have a problem? Let me sell you something”.

 

[Theresa Groomes]

I have a 250 gallon tank. Running for 18 months. All parameters are wnl. I have clown fish, damsels, peppermint shrimp and various snails. I have a few soft,corals.

 

[Theresa Groomes]

Oh and I have kesel lighting

 

[Stigigemla]

I would use double recommended dose active carbon to take out the rests of the erythromycin. After a week with that I would take it out and restart the tank with bacteria in a bottle just as in a normal new tank start.
In the future I would also doublecheck any advice from that dealer.

 

[Jon Fishman]

I am guessing in the last month and a half he/she sorted this all out...... but I will also throw in: “The damsels probably killed your clown”