The Puffer Forum

RTR wrote:Don't treat symptoms, treat problems. If the excess organics issue is not corrected (the problem), then the symptoms (planaria or nematodes visible in the water column or on the glasses) will return, or others will arise.

That is standard for water quality issues and one of the commonest issues in hobby tanks which are insufficiently partialed for their bioload and or feeding.

true true but it can help get the immediate problem under control , and as you rightly say one must address the causes of the problem to solve it long term..

Wow exactly what I was looking for. I have these too, but Im not sure if they are the nematodes or the planaria. Ill do a websearch for images. But it was kind of shocking to see the strange trackmarks in the algae Ive been meaning to scrub off my tank glass, and then noticing the little white thin things that I noticed seemed to be moving. My puffertank (two F8s) has been set up for 11 months. I know beyond a doubt that its overfeeding, I admit I get a little overambitious... and Ive neglected the substrate in cleanings a bit. But the infestation has ebbed off already after I scrubbed the algae, and I need to switch up my puffers diet anyway. Its hard finding food for puffers! Anyway Im glad I checked pufferforum first.

I had a huge planaria problem in my shrimp tank (cause was overfeeding, and had been corrected), I treated the tank with aquarium salt, 1 tbsp per 5 gallons, killed them all off within 1 day.

fugu99 wrote:Wow exactly what I was looking for. I have these too, but Im not sure if they are the nematodes or the planaria. Ill do a websearch for images. But it was kind of shocking to see the strange trackmarks in the algae Ive been meaning to scrub off my tank glass, and then noticing the little white thin things that I noticed seemed to be moving. My puffertank (two F8s) has been set up for 11 months. I know beyond a doubt that its overfeeding, I admit I get a little overambitious... and Ive neglected the substrate in cleanings a bit. But the infestation has ebbed off already after I scrubbed the algae, and I need to switch up my puffers diet anyway. Its hard finding food for puffers! Anyway Im glad I checked pufferforum first.

They may well have moved into the substrate where food is present which is why you don't see them? Regular and thorough maintenance is key to solving many issues

+1 to bertie 83's comment above.

Routine care to avoid such problems/symptoms is always the best path. But treating the symptoms (planaria or nematodes visible in the tank) is a huge waste of time and effort and can be damaging in and of itself. Threat the problem, not the symptom.

RTR wrote:+1 to bertie 83's comment above.

Routine care to avoid such problems/symptoms is always the best path. But treating the symptoms (planaria or nematodes visible in the tank) is a huge waste of time and effort and can be damaging in and of itself. Threat the problem, not the symptom.

+1000 keep up good regular maintenance and these problems simply won't arise .......but if a strict regular maintenance regime hasn't been adhered to and infestation occurs by all means treat your tank to get back on top of the situation and then make sure you keep to good regular maintenance , cleaning etc so this problem doesn't come back .

Treating the tank to kill planaria/nematodes is counter-productive. First off, it will and definitely does increase the DOCs in the tank - exactly the opposite of what is needed to get the tank back to healthy water. Reducing the DPCs by increased water partials with substrate cleaning is faster and safer for the fish. Not vermifuge is without risks - use of such agents is entirely unnecessary and potentially damaging in and of itself.

NIMFT, not ever. Simplify your life, don't complicate it.

RTR wrote:Treating the tank to kill planaria/nematodes is counter-productive. First off, it will and definitely does increase the DOCs in the tank - exactly the opposite of what is needed to get the tank back to healthy water. Reducing the DPCs by increased water partials with substrate cleaning is faster and safer for the fish. Not vermifuge is without risks - use of such agents is entirely unnecessary and potentially damaging in and of itself.

NIMFT, not ever. Simplify your life, don't complicate it.

I do believe genchen no planaria is a natural extract , so that used with a good clean of the substrate and water changes to remove the DOCs , would solve the problem a lot quicker and be more beneficial to livestock in the tank .

"Natural extracts" are not by any means or by definition safe. I do hope that you do not really believe that common claim. That is akin to folk saying that they never use chemicals in their tanks - when they obviously do.

RTR wrote:"Natural extracts" are not by any means or by definition safe. I do hope that you do not really believe that common claim. That is akin to folk saying that they never use chemicals in their tanks - when they obviously do.

i've never had to use it, as I keep maintenance up on all my tanks and unless its been tested under laboratory conditions i couldn't say whether its 100 % safe or not . All i base my opinion on it , is from what feedback i've read from people who have .

Poop is a natural extract.

sevenyearnight wrote:Poop is a natural extract.

true true , thankyou for your contribution !

You are most welcome.

sevenyearnight wrote:Poop is a natural extract.

Lmao

haha there's a lot of 'natural exractors' on here ! lmfao