A few weeks ago, I posted about a moderate flatworm infestation, and received excellent advice that is working (sorry I can't give credit - can't remember the name). Once a week, I use an airhose to siphon flatworms off the rocks. I got about 200+ at the 1st siphon, about 100+ from the second. While the flatworms are not gone, I've definitely reduced the population considerably, but have many more to go. "So many flatworms - so little time". I have a humble 29g Eclipse with Prism Protein Skimmer low-tech system.
But I have questions: How do they reproduce? Eggs? What is their rate of reproduction? What is their life cycle? I ask because if they reproduce every day and a half and have millions of eggs each time, as an example, then I'm wasting my time trying to rid the tank of the worms - I'll only be able to keep it under aesthetic control at best, and it will be a never-ending race to stay ahead of reproduction, and therefore might be more willing to use a chemical. It isn't that I'm against chemicals of any kind, it's just that since every single tank is different, it isn't logical to expect the same results after a dosing from one tank to the next at this stage of the testing, and I'd hate to be the one whose tank is wiped out. Can't afford to start all over, even in the name of good science/good progress.
But I have questions: How do they reproduce? Eggs? What is their rate of reproduction? What is their life cycle? I ask because if they reproduce every day and a half and have millions of eggs each time, as an example, then I'm wasting my time trying to rid the tank of the worms - I'll only be able to keep it under aesthetic control at best, and it will be a never-ending race to stay ahead of reproduction, and therefore might be more willing to use a chemical. It isn't that I'm against chemicals of any kind, it's just that since every single tank is different, it isn't logical to expect the same results after a dosing from one tank to the next at this stage of the testing, and I'd hate to be the one whose tank is wiped out. Can't afford to start all over, even in the name of good science/good progress.
