Can you use flatworm exit in freshwater?

Question

I need to know if salifert flatworm exit is effective for freshwater tanks???

I've already cleaned the gravel about 20 times way before I wrote the Q ..but they kept coming so I looked into this...I'm trying high temps to see if it kills them before I go the chemical route.The thing is I only feed them 1 time daily so as to avoid these pests ...those lil' bastards hold a place in my private hell!...lol

Answer 1

The marine website I use doesn't even recommend this product for saltwater use: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fltwmchemcont.htm

Rather than trying a chemical means to get rid of flatworms, you should address why you have so many in a tank in the first place. The flatworms can be introduced as eggs or small worms on plants, or accompany live foods like blackworms, but they can't survive in your tank without a food source. I'd suspect here that there's a buildup of excess organic material in your substrate if you're seeing these in large numbers. Rather than adding a chemical to which your fish (or other tank residents if you have snails, shrimp, or plants) may react badly, start by doing a good gravel vacuuming and being careful not to overfeed your fish (only give what the fish will eat in 2-3 minutes, twice a day). If you add this to regular partial water changes (20-30% weekly) to reduce nutrients so algae won't grow, you'll eventually reduce your flatworm population safely. You can also use a "baiting" technique like the one used for snails - put a lettuce leaf in the tank and weight it, by morning it will be covered with planaria that came to it overnight to feed. This works best when you remove the bait first thing in the morning, before the flatworms go back into the gravel to hide.

See the link below for more information on freshwater flatworms and control: http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/invertebrates/flatworms.shtml

Answer 2

Salifert Flatworm Exit

Answer 3

The Reef forum I belong to have people who have used FE in their fresh water tank. Once drop per gallon. It will also effect snails in your tank.

As a note they are called Turbellaria which are free-living, freshwater flatworms commonly called planaria. They range is size from microscopic to several inches in length

These unsightly white worms are flatworms. They're not parasitic, and won't harm your fish. They're thought to be introduced into the aquarium through food (both live and dried). When water conditions are poor, and contain high levels of nitrates and large amounts of biological matter, such as fish waste, these worms can grow and multiply.

To rid your aquarium of pesky flatworms, try removing all your fish and placing them in a temporary holding tank. Then, increase the water temperature above 95°F for several hours. If this doesn't kill the flatworms, try a water treatment that specifically targets parasites, such as CopperSafe, Clout, or Fluke Tabs.

To prevent future infestation, consider upgrading your filtration system. Undergravel filters are typically not efficient mechanical filters. Aquariums with undergravel filters usually require weekly water changes and thorough gravel vacuuming. Consider adding another filter that employs more efficient mechanical filtration. A canister filter or power filter offers an effective solution. Both are easily maintained and require that you simply change the mechanical and chemical cartridge when it becomes clogged with debris.

Most importantly, be sure to clean your aquarium regularly, control nitrate levels in the water, maintain your filter, and perform frequent water changes to prevent problems with pests like flatworms.

Answer 4

I can't find a listing of the active ingredients so it's impossible to know. I would ask you to post the active ingredient list from your bottle and also I wonder what you would be treating in a freshwater tank with that particular medication?

MM

Answer 5

uuummmmmmmmmmmm WHAT?