Fireworm spawn a concern reusing reef water?

Zpmada · 09/23/2020, 04:41 PM

Hi all,

I upgraded my tank from 55 to 75 gallons and needed to reuse water. I didn't transfer the rock or sand since I was buying a running system free of bristle worms, which my old system had in addition to white flatworms. The new system has spaghetti worms which I understand are beneficial.

Well, I had a rock in my old system that had about 18 red people eater zoa that I started to break up into smaller. I had no idea that I had these. I've tried to view the reef at night using a red led. I thought I only had the beneficial black and red bristle worms which I rather not reintroduce into the 75 gallon. Spaghetti worms are fine enough.

Do I have to worry about reusing about 30 gallons of water from my old system? Could there be fireworm spawn that I can't see in the water I just introduced to my 75 gallon system? Is there anything I can do like flatworm exit the whole thing? I have a new redheaded fairy wrasse but I don't think they eat worms since there are plenty of spaghetti worms.

I read somewhere that fireworms spawn 3-5 days after full moon. I broke down my tank and reused some water on Sept. 17. The last full moon was Sept. 2.

Thank you

Sk8r · 09/23/2020, 04:58 PM

unsure on id---there are many, many species. If large cluster of bristles in each segment more likely it's a fireworm. Look up hermondice carunculata.

Zpmada · 09/23/2020, 05:07 PM

Yes I believe that's what it was. Clusters of white bristles. I tried to put them out on the deck and poured soda on them and it didn't come out. There is nothing left in the 10 gallon quarantine tank. These rock will be be dried and bleached and dried again. I don't want to take any chances.

I didn't see bristleworms until I introducted chaeto, which had it. I tried to fresh water dip the chaeto for 30 minutes, I thought I picked every worm out but they still survived. I will try to buy sterile chaeto next time.

But, did I introduce bristleworms and fireworms into my new tank by reusing old water? What is bristleworm spawn? Baby worms that can't be seen?

Sk8r · 09/23/2020, 05:24 PM

Bristleworms are great. Really good for some coral tanks. Fireworms, no.

09/23/2020, 04:41 PM	#1
Zpmada Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Phillipsburg, NJ Posts: 95	Fireworm spawn a concern reusing reef water? Hi all, I upgraded my tank from 55 to 75 gallons and needed to reuse water. I didn't transfer the rock or sand since I was buying a running system free of bristle worms, which my old system had in addition to white flatworms. The new system has spaghetti worms which I understand are beneficial. Well, I had a rock in my old system that had about 18 red people eater zoa that I started to break up into smaller. I had no idea that I had these. I've tried to view the reef at night using a red led. I thought I only had the beneficial black and red bristle worms which I rather not reintroduce into the 75 gallon. Spaghetti worms are fine enough. Do I have to worry about reusing about 30 gallons of water from my old system? Could there be fireworm spawn that I can't see in the water I just introduced to my 75 gallon system? Is there anything I can do like flatworm exit the whole thing? I have a new redheaded fairy wrasse but I don't think they eat worms since there are plenty of spaghetti worms. I read somewhere that fireworms spawn 3-5 days after full moon. I broke down my tank and reused some water on Sept. 17. The last full moon was Sept. 2. Thank you Last edited by Zpmada; 06/22/2021 at 08:26 PM.

09/23/2020, 04:58 PM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	unsure on id---there are many, many species. If large cluster of bristles in each segment more likely it's a fireworm. Look up hermondice carunculata. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

09/23/2020, 05:07 PM	#3
Zpmada Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Phillipsburg, NJ Posts: 95	Yes I believe that's what it was. Clusters of white bristles. I tried to put them out on the deck and poured soda on them and it didn't come out. There is nothing left in the 10 gallon quarantine tank. These rock will be be dried and bleached and dried again. I don't want to take any chances. I didn't see bristleworms until I introducted chaeto, which had it. I tried to fresh water dip the chaeto for 30 minutes, I thought I picked every worm out but they still survived. I will try to buy sterile chaeto next time. But, did I introduce bristleworms and fireworms into my new tank by reusing old water? What is bristleworm spawn? Baby worms that can't be seen? Last edited by Zpmada; 09/23/2020 at 05:25 PM.

09/23/2020, 05:24 PM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Bristleworms are great. Really good for some coral tanks. Fireworms, no. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.