Siphoning Red Planaria Flatworms

[Big Mistake]

I have had an infestation of Red Planaria Flatworms for a while now.

I assume they compete with other tank grazers (e.g., snails) for bacterial food on tank surfaces.

Reading recently again about getting rid of them with biological control or some other trick (I have Flatworm eXit but have never used it.)

A Mel's Reef article suggested siphoning to reduce the number.

So, I took a coral feeding tube, and some tubing, and the Red Planaria Flatworms siphon right up.

But what I noticed is when I siphon into an empty plastic 1-gallon distilled water jug the Red Planaria Flatworms sink to the bottom and stick to the bottom of the jug.

No filtering the water back into the tank.

So, I can just pour the water back into the tank and the Red Planaria Flatworms are left behind stuck to the bottom and I can wash them out with a swirl of water down the drain. Literally rinse and repeat.

I would say I am committing a Red Planaria Flatworms genocide ... but that would be a ...

-Big Mistake

 

[Lavey29]

They release toxin as they die especially hence the reason to siphon them out. I would not pour water back in just do it during regular water changes.

 

[Big Mistake]

So, they do not die in this process - they just take a ride on a water roller coaster and attach to surfaces in the siphoning container. I was worried about that too ... they would release toxins, but they are as happy as Red Planaria Flatworms in a recycled water jug attached to the surface doing their Red Planaria Flatworms thing.

They do the same thing in the tank, sink like stones, they do not float in the water column at all if blown off a surface. I have seen just a few in the tank's water sock over the years.

I would agree dead Red Planaria Flatworms leaking their red pigment would be a ...

-Big Mistake

 

[Lavey29]

So, they do not die in this process - they just take a ride on a water roller coaster and attach to surfaces in the siphoning container. I was worried about that too ... they would release toxins, but they are as happy as Red Planaria Flatworms in a recycled water jug attached to the surface doing their Red Planaria Flatworms thing.

They do the same thing in the tank, sink like stones, they do not float in the water column at all if blown off a surface. I have seen just a few in the tank's water sock over the years.

I would agree dead Red Planaria Flatworms leaking their red pigment would be a ...

-Big Mistake

Agree, however I wonder if they have the ability to release toxin as a defensive mechanism if they feel threatened or under attack prior to being dead?

 

[Big Mistake]

Anything is possible - but as a keen observer of the human condition I come to the conclusion a Red Planaria Flatworms have about the same IQ as I myself. I can barely defend myself from the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune and I'm one sucker for being taken for a ride.

But I have decided to use the siphoning to do more water changes.

But underestimating Red Planaria Flatworms would be a ...

-Big Mistake

 

[Lavey29]

Anything is possible - but as a keen observer of the human condition I come to the conclusion a Red Planaria Flatworms have about the same IQ as I myself. I can barely defend myself from the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune and I'm one sucker for being taken for a ride.

But I have decided to use the siphoning to do more water changes.

But underestimating Red Planaria Flatworms would be a ...

-Big Mistake

And you have chosen an appropriate screen name my fellow reefer...good luck in the battle

 

[ptrahan]

I’ve poured the water back into the tank countless times. I used a brine shrimp net to catch would-be escapees. Then I nuked the flatworms (not the tank) with FWE. They are long gone. On to the next tank pest….