Vermitid snail infestation

[scottsreef]

Hi there just wanted to get opinions from Invert people on my tank and what i could do. I have a 180 mixed reef and i ended up getting vermetid snails on my rock and glass. Im talking about probably over 500 tubes sticking out. I have noticed that when i stir up the sand to see the web come out of the tubes, that not all of them have webs that come out. They are the tiny little ones not the large ones. My biggest concern is that some of the rock work has big holes and caves that fish go through. I am concerned that they will start to get cut or hurt as we all know those little tubes are dang sharp. My question to you is this, because there are so many and they are on glass and im suspecting on the walls of the plumbing pipes. I am thinking that it might be time for a bleach bath for the tank to flush entire system of the snails, then i can scrape, chisel and scrub away all the tubes on the rock, glass and plumbing. |Do you think this is a good plan because of the volume of tubes i have? I have looked at my barrel of live rock down in sump area, I have most of my live rock in blue barrel with lid on it so its criptic zone and i have not seen a single tube in there. Just wanted to pick your brain as to what my options may be. Thanks and if you have any questions let me know.
Scott

 

[sfin52]

I have them in my 75. I leave them unless they are bothering a coral. I break them off and toss them. If you are concerned about the swim through than break them off . Bleaching system and starting over means you will just get them again. Not a whole lot you can do to stop them.

 

[scottsreef]

ok tks sfin52, i appreciate the info.

 

[sfin52]

Not a problem. Had the same questions when I started seeing them all over.

 

[dbl]

I would tend to agree with @sfin52...just break them off when/where needed. I actually put a small dab of superglue on the end of the tube after breaking it (not sure it's necessary...just something I've always done). I don't think they are worth a restart...at least in my opinion.

 

[scottsreef]

TKS dbl.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Population of those can explode and do,usually becuse of food availability. Increasing filtration and turnover can help.

Another treatment you can try, if you do not have filter feeders, is coral snow.
It’s basically a chalk that attracts organic particles and buses them so they can be more easily removed by filtration.
It’s usually for making the water look clearer

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/kora...MI2Z2ej5no3AIVFXdeCh0u1wJTEAQYASABEgLVKPD_BwE

 

[scottsreef]

Saltyfilmfolks I have some in fish room so maybe i will try give that a shot. Maybe i will put socks back in for a while as well and see if that helps pull out floaties.

 

[Leadfooted]

Another treatment you can try, if you do not have filter feeders, is coral snow.

I have both and trying to rid or both. You can see in this image what the vermitids are doing to an Acan on the far right, al vermitids are circled.

I also have this patch of polyps that's taking over. I want to remove all of these or kill them all off and replace with sticks. Would the snow possible help eradicate both?

I've glued many tube shut and broke off a lot more but it seems to only be getting worse for me. I think breaking them might be like kicking a mushroom no? I can't get to most areas or I'd glue them all.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I have both and trying to rid or both. You can see in this image what the vermitids are doing to an Acan on the far right, al vermitids are circled.

I also have this patch of polyps that's taking over. I want to remove all of these or kill them all off and replace with sticks. Would the snow possible help eradicate both?

I've glued many tube shut and broke off a lot more but it seems to only be getting worse for me. I think breaking them might be like kicking a mushroom no? I can't get to most areas or I'd glue them all.

If you don’t have filter feeders you like (I have nps and odd clams) yes it should help Esp with a little additional filtration. Here’s the thing too, they are there because of food availability (it could be just a bloom to) but look at your feeding regimine as well. A lot of coral foods phyto etc. can drive populations up. Amongst though is the sump. If it’s a bit funky like I like to keep mine , it’s adding dissolved nutrients (why I don’t reccomend a powerhead in sumps). So you could add a bit of floss over the return pump or someplace before it as a polish before it goes back to the DT.

 

[Leadfooted]

Here’s the thing too, they are there because of food availability

Many good points here Salty, thanks. I've seen my vermetid population go up and down over the years. I've been pretty heavy on feedings the last few months, mostly Reefroids mixed with Phyto feast, exactly what you said could drive it up. I also added a power head In my sump a few months back.

I've been trying to solve this issue the wrong way completely until your points which make so much more sense! I'm going to cut back on feedings, cut out the phyto completely for a little bit. Also adding floss to the return pump removing the power head in the sump and I'll go back to sucking this stuff out with wet vac. I've been slacking a little on my filter socks too so I'll change those every 3-5 days for a bit too. I'm going to add a few more bumble bee snails because I've witnessed a few munching on some vermetids. I'm 100% going to try this coral snow because it might also help kick the last tiny bit of cyano I have. I'll follow up and can't thank you enough.

Searched Found this post as well after you mentioned it: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/vermetid-snail-control.303841/

These things are killing my corals, sliced this little dude right in half and killed a few blasto colonies.

 

[mta_morrow]

I eliminated them in my tank (had about 50) by crushing with needle nose pliers, as close to the base as possible, and removing from the system.

Takes some time, but it is the only way IMO to ensure they are removed from the system.

 

[Leadfooted]

I eliminated them in my tank (had about 50) by crushing with needle nose pliers, as close to the base as possible, and removing from the system.

Takes some time, but it is the only way IMO to ensure they are removed from the system.

Thanks, I was worried crushing them would spread them like a shroom. I'll enjoy some crushing today too. Many are under rocks and no way to reach but I'll crush what I can!

 

[mta_morrow]

When you crush them, keep the pliers closed and remove from tank.

I bought a new, clean pair of needle nose pliers just for this.

Rinse in fresh water after you are done and dry well so they don’t rust.

 

[blkhawk10]

I thought they were a problem in my tank at one point too...I ramped up the flow and they haven't been a problem since. I rarely see the net anymore as its not strong enough to take hold with the flow in the tank.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Many good points here Salty, thanks. I've seen my vermetid population go up and down over the years. I've been pretty heavy on feedings the last few months, mostly Reefroids mixed with Phyto feast, exactly what you said could drive it up. I also added a power head In my sump a few months back.

I've been trying to solve this issue the wrong way completely until your points which make so much more sense! I'm going to cut back on feedings, cut out the phyto completely for a little bit. Also adding floss to the return pump removing the power head in the sump and I'll go back to sucking this stuff out with wet vac. I've been slacking a little on my filter socks too so I'll change those every 3-5 days for a bit too. I'm going to add a few more bumble bee snails because I've witnessed a few munching on some vermetids. I'm 100% going to try this coral snow because it might also help kick the last tiny bit of cyano I have. I'll follow up and can't thank you enough.

Searched Found this post as well after you mentioned it: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/vermetid-snail-control.303841/

These things are killing my corals, sliced this little dude right in half and killed a few blasto colonies.

Yea , I hate socks. three days. Is all they last me. Might be worth looking at the sock replacement cups. Uses floss instead. You can go a week or two easy.

 

[Leadfooted]

Yea , I hate socks. three days. Is all they last me. Might be worth looking at the sock replacement cups. Uses floss instead. You can go a week or two easy.

I'll see if I can find a cup the fits my sump, if so I'm going to get one and I'll keep some socks just in case I need down the road. You know what, I also realize I've switched to broadcast feeding more over the past few months versus minimal spot feeding. It's driving me crazy now that I realize all my broadcast feedings are just igniting growth for these Vermetids! I'm crushing some, but feeding about a hundred others.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I'll see if I can find a cup the fits my sump, if so I'm going to get one and I'll keep some socks just in case I need down the road. You know what, I also realize I've switched to broadcast feeding more over the past few months versus minimal spot feeding. It's driving me crazy now that I realize all my broadcast feedings are just igniting growth for these Vermetids! I'm crushing some, but feeding about a hundred others.

been there done that.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/filter-sock-alternative.306561/
Ive thought about using one of the rodi plastic cartrages.

 

[Leadfooted]

been there done that.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/filter-sock-alternative.306561/
Ive thought about using one of the rodi plastic cartrages.

Thanks! Gives me a few good ideas and options. Looks like a walmart trip tonight!

 

[scottsreef]

Wondering what thoughts are on my next test.
I have been reading lots on all this dang snail and I know that if you crush the tube the worm will rebuild. I know people have had luck with long spine cowfish and wrasses eating the snail once exposed. Makes it easier for fish to get at snail without tube in way. My thought was to try one of these fish in a stand alone tank and then remove 1 rock at a time. Chisel and brake off all the tubes and then put in tank for the fish to fill their belly on unprotected snails. I have noticed some of the tubes have nothing in them and I'm hoping this will kill whatever is left. Then remove rock and put in another stand alone tank to keep an eye on future growth. Then once all rock is done I will remove plumbing to sterilize anything in lines and also clean tank walls. Ok I have babbled enough and wondering what thoughts are. Thanks in advance
Scott