Bristle worms

[tiaxchick]

I have a 125litre tank, been running for around 2 years, has gravel rather than sand.. I've started to notice a rise in bristle worms .. There's tiny little hard swirly stick looking things on all my rocks and around my power head, we've always seen a few here and there and it hasn't bothered me but when I cleaned out the filter last there was loads of tiny worms in there, every time I move something in tank there is a worm underneath it.
Is there anything I can do to stop these pests from breeding and taking over my tank they creep me out .. -.-

 

[mr_X]

Yes, cut back on feeding. The amount of worms (harmless scavengers) will rise and fall with the available food supply.
How often and how much are you feeding?

 

[tiaxchick]

Feeding once a day... Half a ice cube of mixed marine food.. The last few weeks I haven't been even using half just putting a little in with a Turkey Baster and monitoring what they actually eat of it.
I didn't know wether it was something to do with my gravel as I imagine there must be a lot of food source amongst there

 

[mr_X]

I have been feeding a tank I maintain twice a week for years now and the fish are fat and happy. Also, how is your flow in the tank? Perhaps more food falls to the bottom than is eaten?

 

[tiaxchick]

Recently I used to have a little pump for extra water flow but recently bought a wave maker so it does have a better current now and you can really notice the difference as the food goes in so I think that should help a lot.
How often do you feed your fish ?

 

[mr_X]

I don't have any fish currently, but generally a few times a week. I also use home made, freshly frozen food, and not store bought cubes.
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f20/marine-fish-food-thread-287198.html

 

[tiaxchick]

I was debating taking the gravel out.. Just having glass bottom

 

[mr_X]

The worms are not bad, they are good actually. People spend big money on "clean up crews" for their tanks when they have a free clean up crew already. I wouldn't worry about them as they are a natural part of the reef. the balance of worms V.S. available food is what I would focus on. If a lot of food is hitting the sand, an increase of flow is the remedy. Let the worms eat what's in the sand now, and they should lessen over time.

 

[tiaxchick]

Sorry just seen this, thank you have started feeding them a little less now hopefully that'll calm them down a bit