Mightymouse1111
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Here is a link to my original post: http
/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/365932-wierd-bugs-in-aquarium/
A recap and my plan:
I have a 2 gallon heated and filtered aquarium housing a successful cherry shrimp colony as well as hornwort, java moss, and a grass type plant. I recently discovered an infestation of what I believe to be ostracods/seed shrimp. I understand they are harmless but they make for quite an eyesore. There are large dark ones at the bottom that feed on anything I give the shrimp, and also clear/white smaller ones that zig-zag all over the glass. I don’t want this spreading to my other 3 tanks and am cutting my losses now. I’ve read that ostracods are difficult to kill because they are basically a shrimp body inside a clam shell and can close up inside for extended periods of time when water conditions are bad. Because cherry shrimp and ostracods are so closely related I’m hoping to chemically (or some other way) kill all crustaceans in the tank, but save the plants for the next inhabitants. I was very patient waiting for the java moss to attach to the wood in this tank! Anyway, I’m planning on a cocktail of Paracid, Anchors Away, and possibly Heartgard.
Paracid’s (http/crystalclearpond.com/TechnicalData/Paracid.pdf) active ingredient is trichloracide, which is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. It prevents the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from breaking down leading to death.
Anchors Away’s (http/www.pondcrisis.com/a_dimilin.html) active ingredient is diflubenzuron, which inhibits the production of chitin. They molt and die.
Heartgard’s active ingredient is ivermectin, which is binds to glutamate gated chloride channels causing an influx of chloride and neuron hyperpolarization. This leads to paralysis and death as well.
I’m pretty sure that trichloracide and diflubenzuron are both plant safe, but I haven’t checked on the ivermectin yet.
Other ideas?
Nitrate overdose. Can I give a dose of nitrate or some other nitrogen compound toxic enough to kill everyone but not hurt the plants? Any fertilizers that would work for this? Has anyone ever heard of trying this?
Salt overdose. Can freshwater plants survive if salt is added?
CO2 bomb. This will keep the plants alive but will it kill ostracods?
Soda water. I read that adding soda water will quickly kill inhabitants but spare plants.
Increasing or decreasing the pH. How low or high can I make the pH before the plants will die?
Natural predators would be great but that doesn’t prevent the spread, just the eyesore, and I don’t want to buy natural predators for all 4 tanks.
If these don’t work, then I’m resorting to Coppersafe, but that will probably kill the plants. If that doesn’t work, then I’m bleaching and starting over.
Please redirect me if this will get noticed more in a different section.
Thanks for the help!
/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/365932-wierd-bugs-in-aquarium/A recap and my plan:
I have a 2 gallon heated and filtered aquarium housing a successful cherry shrimp colony as well as hornwort, java moss, and a grass type plant. I recently discovered an infestation of what I believe to be ostracods/seed shrimp. I understand they are harmless but they make for quite an eyesore. There are large dark ones at the bottom that feed on anything I give the shrimp, and also clear/white smaller ones that zig-zag all over the glass. I don’t want this spreading to my other 3 tanks and am cutting my losses now. I’ve read that ostracods are difficult to kill because they are basically a shrimp body inside a clam shell and can close up inside for extended periods of time when water conditions are bad. Because cherry shrimp and ostracods are so closely related I’m hoping to chemically (or some other way) kill all crustaceans in the tank, but save the plants for the next inhabitants. I was very patient waiting for the java moss to attach to the wood in this tank! Anyway, I’m planning on a cocktail of Paracid, Anchors Away, and possibly Heartgard.
Paracid’s (http
/crystalclearpond.com/TechnicalData/Paracid.pdf) active ingredient is trichloracide, which is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. It prevents the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from breaking down leading to death.Anchors Away’s (http
/www.pondcrisis.com/a_dimilin.html) active ingredient is diflubenzuron, which inhibits the production of chitin. They molt and die.Heartgard’s active ingredient is ivermectin, which is binds to glutamate gated chloride channels causing an influx of chloride and neuron hyperpolarization. This leads to paralysis and death as well.
I’m pretty sure that trichloracide and diflubenzuron are both plant safe, but I haven’t checked on the ivermectin yet.
Other ideas?
Nitrate overdose. Can I give a dose of nitrate or some other nitrogen compound toxic enough to kill everyone but not hurt the plants? Any fertilizers that would work for this? Has anyone ever heard of trying this?
Salt overdose. Can freshwater plants survive if salt is added?
CO2 bomb. This will keep the plants alive but will it kill ostracods?
Soda water. I read that adding soda water will quickly kill inhabitants but spare plants.
Increasing or decreasing the pH. How low or high can I make the pH before the plants will die?
Natural predators would be great but that doesn’t prevent the spread, just the eyesore, and I don’t want to buy natural predators for all 4 tanks.
If these don’t work, then I’m resorting to Coppersafe, but that will probably kill the plants. If that doesn’t work, then I’m bleaching and starting over.
Please redirect me if this will get noticed more in a different section.
Thanks for the help!
