Detritus Worms

[metadraxis]

im not sure what kinda substrate you have but could you possible use a water vacuum to clean the subtrate of all its organic material?

It's gravel, I use a water vacuum every two days but it's very hard to clean it perfectly, there is a lot of small particles of debris that keep appearing every time I do it.

 

[knifegill]

Oh, get rid of that gravel, man. Nasty. Barebottom or sand, so there either won't be worms or they'll be in the sand instead of floating around.

 

[metadraxis]

Oh, get rid of that gravel, man. Nasty. Barebottom or sand, so there either won't be worms or they'll be in the sand instead of floating around.

That's a good idea, I think I'm going to try a barebottom tank with a sponge filter.

 

[coyotethug]

Malaysian trumpet snails and leave a substrate in the tank if you want. The snails will out compete the worms for food and do a good job with algae too. Only need a few and you will have a ton in no time.

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[E_americanus]

The tank is 2 months old, the worms appeared almost exactly after the first month, the filter I have is good for the size of the tank according to the box. I have not tried to increase the salinity, might try that.

tank is still very young and not yet established with the nutrient/bioload balance...it is cycled, but not established. happens with pretty much any tank...and if you tinker with it too much during these stages you are just opening up more space to more worms or other organisms. just let it be and it will even itself out. the worms are harmless, turning over the system as much as you are is what will keep the process going for much longer than if you were to leave it alone--
--solomon