Water Mites....

[BBrain]

Read my story, and look at the pictures, here:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=167817

Any water mite experts out there?
I'd sure like to know more about them, to help me decide about tearing my tank apart to try to get rid of them!

Thanks in advance!

 

[chibi]

After reading what happened to your tank, I am stupified. You said they don't hurt the fish though, correct? But it seems you don't like the look of them. I'd simply throw the wood out and get new wood.

 

[BBrain]

It sure shocked me, too, when I saw a critter in the microscope, when I was looking for mineral crystals or fungi!

I really don't want to throw out those wood pieces. It's getting too close to the budget-busting season, to toss out expensive wood!

But, I do have to decide how to get rid of the water mites. I've thought of tearing out my wood, boiling it, and returning it to the tank, but I can think of some problems with that.

One, I really dislike ripping apart an aquascape that's been months in the making. I might get cranky or depressed.
Two, some of my favourite plants are attached to those wood pieces, and their roots would be ripped in removing them from the wood. Those nice plants would hate me for that.
Three, there are also some mites on some leaves, and perhaps also hidden in the gravel, so I'd just get a new infestation.

So, I think I'll go chemical, with a med that kills invertebrates. Maybe Quick Cure (a malachite green and formalin combo), or salt (but that'll be hard on plants), or an organophosphate. I have sensitive fish, though, so I have to be careful about what I use. (cories, baby plecos, and tetras)

Any suggestions are more than welcome!