Red Bugs in my acros! Anyone successfuly treated their tanks against it?

[Reefcowboy]

Well, have been trading frags with some people, buying others from FS... and granted didnt quarantine them. Was looking close to some blue acro in my tank today, saw many little red bugs all over it...looked up and i have them in a neighboring acro too. The corals are very healthy, polyps out, color popping. I guess it is not an issue yet. Ive been reading that the ways to erradicate it are:

Dragon face pipefish: in my tank with very high flow, i think this fish would have a hard time, since it thrives in slow moving reefs. Also i dont like to bring the fish and once the parasites are gone poor thing could starve.

Iodine dip: would that really work? Anyone has done them and how many until the bugs were out? Also would that work if my system has the buggers?

Medicating tank with Interceptor, seems like the best treatment, but im very worried about this, because i hate adding chemicals to the tank. If someone has done and can chime in suggestions/ experience, it would really be appreciated!

Thanks and happy 4th!

 

[prattreef]

First-- Don't panic. Red bugs do damage longterm, no reason to do anything rash.
Interceptor is a very effective, simple and harmless treatment for red bugs. Corals are at no risk even at elevated dosages and prolonged time periods. It will kill Acro crabs, hermits and shrimp ( larger shrimp and hermits often survive). The biggest problem is finding Interceptor. It needs to be prescribed by a vet and to make matters worse, has been out of production recently ( this was supposed to stsrt up again--- anyone with current info ? ). Members here might have some stashed away they are willing to part with.

Dipping and QTing individual pieces works, but to rid your tank you need to remove All the Acros and dip them. I also would not use iodine as there are better dips available.
Dragon pipefish are reported to eat red bugs but I would not count on them to rid a tank of them.
If you can get some Interceptor, this is really your easiest/ best option.

 

[Reefcowboy]

First-- Don't panic. Red bugs do damage longterm, no reason to do anything rash.
Interceptor is a very effective, simple and harmless treatment for red bugs. Corals are at no risk even at elevated dosages and prolonged time periods. It will kill Acro crabs, hermits and shrimp ( larger shrimp and hermits often survive). The biggest problem is finding Interceptor. It needs to be prescribed by a vet and to make matters worse, has been out of production recently ( this was supposed to stsrt up again--- anyone with current info ? ). Members here might have some stashed away they are willing to part with.

Dipping and QTing individual pieces works, but to rid your tank you need to remove All the Acros and dip them. I also would not use iodine as there are better dips available.
Dragon pipefish are reported to eat red bugs but I would not count on them to rid a tank of them.
If you can get some Interceptor, this is really your easiest/ best option.

Thank you for the good advice, i was reading about it yesterday and many people have made use of it and reported it was simple/no harm. I am seeing my vet today and will ask for a prescription. I was looking for Interceptor and found it at the Target Pet Rx( pet meds at Target). Hopefuly i will find it!
O guess this little bug is more present in the hobby that we think, and i just have to start quarantine for any additions from now on.
I guess i would make a dip with Interceptor only when i add acros? Or should i dip every coral in it before placing in the tank?

 

[Jhoehlein]

If you can get it Interceptor works great for treating the tank - as mentioned before it is completely reef safe for anything that isn't an arthropod (pods, crabs, shrimp, etc.) and is very difficult to overdose with. But if you can get some I would save it exclusively for treating the system - because of its rarity I wouldn't use a dose each time you dip new corals. Any reputable coral dip will kill the bugs before they make it into your tank while also knocking out pests the Interceptor won't work on.

 

[thirty6]

I dont have sps but i recall readin threads with people dipping in bug spray, might have been bayer not positive though. But can at least offer another option to look up

 

[tomtoothdoc]

you can use the bayer advanced complete insect killer for the dip.

http://www.reef2reef.com/forums/general-sps-discussion/100496-bayer-insecticide-coral-dip.html

 

[lcj2046]

Using Interceptor you have to to take your clean up crew out. As well as all shrimp. one pill doses 380 gallons of water. Use a 1/4 for a 95 gallon tank etc. Also turn of your skimmer. Dose once a week for two weeks... Problems solved!

 

[lcj2046]

Also remove carbon. run for 24 hours return carbon. and turn skimmer back on. And do a water change

 

[ducati335i]

If u dip in coral rx they do die. Plus use a turkey Baster daily to blow off acros

 

[Reefcowboy]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I went to my vet and she wouldnt write me the prescription for Interceptor. I brought my ipad to show her what it is used for and she seemed to not believe me....said fish is not her expertise. The unbelievable thing is, with so much bs products companies put out there, us reefers in 2013 have to go out on a goose chase looking for prescribed dog heartworm meds...i cant believe we dont have something safe to treat our tanks against red bugs...anyone who makes a product as such will make tons of money i bet. Anyone recommends a website or a way i can get this medicine without a prescription?

 

[MikeC]

No body is selling it. Your best bet is to ask everyone you know with a dog if they have any that they did not give to their dog and if they are willing to part with it.
You will be suprised how may people take their dog to the vet but never finish out the monthly treatment for their dog and the pills are sitting in a junk draw. You should only need a pill or two?

 

[Reefcowboy]

I was able to get a pill from another member here from MR...guy saved my tank.
Didnt want money, just asked to come by his house and grab it. Thats a good dude right there.
So i did all the preps to treat the tank( carbon out, skimmer air supply out) and threw in the crushed pill(proportion 25mg/10 gal).
Left it in my tank for 12 hrs as i read from credible sources length of treatment is also key. Checked the tank after time was up, all bugs were out! Thank God.
Did a 25% WC, placed fresh carbon...all corals look great, the infected corals are doing great as well, no signs of anything. Next week i will repeat treatment and that will be it! I read people treat three times but also read new findings are out that the bugs life cycle is 5 days and that two treatments are sufficient.
All i can say is i learned my lesson and will not put anything in my tank without a god ole dip.
I was surprised after researching about how many people have had these critters in their tanks...even the dude Mr Saltwater tank has a video on a time his tank had it.
I guess most people dont see it, i had to really look into the corals to see the bugs. Best way is in the dark with a good flashlight.
Anyways, people should not be scared to treat, at least my tank looks as good as it was before problems came up.