Raymond
October 15th 03, 05:26 AM
Some of you may remember my plea a while back for help with Hydroids.
They were taking over my tank and I was quite depressed at the thought
of losing my tank to it. I thought I would give you an update just in
case anyone else runs into this pest.
What doesn't work:
The emerald crabs made no difference as far as I could tell.
I never did get any key hole limpets to try so I don't know on them.
I could not find a source for the suggested nudibranchs.
What does work:
Tweasers.
Tooth brush.
My fingers.
Other things of interest. I have found their stinging abilities over
rated. I have handled them with my bare hands on all occasions with
out problems. This doesn't mean the it won't affect anyone it just
means it didn't bother me....
Once the polyp or head or what ever is detached they don't readily
re-attach. Large bunches left in the tank will re-attach and continue
growing. The thin thread like lines that the stuff puts down like
roots is its main method of spreading. Cut, burn, rip, or other wise
destroy or remove these roots and you stop its spread. Siphoning or
just lifting out of the tank all large amounts of the stuff and then
brushing the source with a tooth brush to remove all roots is by far
the most successful means of stopping or at least slowing it down.
Just pulling out large clumps with out the brushing almost seems to
stimulate its growth. I think armed with the tooth brush that this
stuff can be wiped out.
I will let you know if I am successful at completely eliminating the
stuff.
FWIW
Raymond
They were taking over my tank and I was quite depressed at the thought
of losing my tank to it. I thought I would give you an update just in
case anyone else runs into this pest.
What doesn't work:
The emerald crabs made no difference as far as I could tell.
I never did get any key hole limpets to try so I don't know on them.
I could not find a source for the suggested nudibranchs.
What does work:
Tweasers.
Tooth brush.
My fingers.
Other things of interest. I have found their stinging abilities over
rated. I have handled them with my bare hands on all occasions with
out problems. This doesn't mean the it won't affect anyone it just
means it didn't bother me....
Once the polyp or head or what ever is detached they don't readily
re-attach. Large bunches left in the tank will re-attach and continue
growing. The thin thread like lines that the stuff puts down like
roots is its main method of spreading. Cut, burn, rip, or other wise
destroy or remove these roots and you stop its spread. Siphoning or
just lifting out of the tank all large amounts of the stuff and then
brushing the source with a tooth brush to remove all roots is by far
the most successful means of stopping or at least slowing it down.
Just pulling out large clumps with out the brushing almost seems to
stimulate its growth. I think armed with the tooth brush that this
stuff can be wiped out.
I will let you know if I am successful at completely eliminating the
stuff.
FWIW
Raymond