Ok, this is really stupid, but last night I was cleaning out my fluval 404 cannister to get some of the sediment out so I would have better water flow. I still have the filtration inside of it. I was cleaning out the filter pads and failed to think that there might be bristle worms in it. Needless to say, my hands are killing me today. Little prickles all over my hands. I found a few of them and dropped them into the tank with a turkey baster (didn't touch them), but obviously missed a few of them that got me. Is there any way to get rid of the pain or the bristles?
Ouch!
- Thread starter cybball
- Start date
I have heard people suggest the liquid bandage stuff. Paint it on, let it set, then pull it off. It is supposed to gently remove the bristles.
Soaking in vinegar may also help.
Soaking in vinegar may also help.
Soak in vinegar--give it 10-15 minutes. This dissolves the bristles. Rinse in cool water. If it still feels like you have spikes, soak again. Sounds weird, but one of the best reliefs I've found is to apply plain yogurt. Let it dry, rinse with cool water, gets rid of the itching and drying.
Sponges can also have the same impact, and I know they like to colonize filters. I've had much worse problems with them than I have with worms of any kind. Bristleworms seldom cause a reaction in me (and I've touched some big ones, bare handed)--fireworms are different, and you really know it when you hit one of them, plus they look different from the commons. Sponges and encrusting corals are far worse for me.
Sponges can also have the same impact, and I know they like to colonize filters. I've had much worse problems with them than I have with worms of any kind. Bristleworms seldom cause a reaction in me (and I've touched some big ones, bare handed)--fireworms are different, and you really know it when you hit one of them, plus they look different from the commons. Sponges and encrusting corals are far worse for me.
The worms I pulled out of there were long, very thin, and somewhat transparrent. I dropped them into the tank and looked like snakes going down the glass. I'm pretty sure they were bristle worms. They had a dark "vein" running the entire length of their bodies with a darker portion to the head area. Could have been sponges though. I never really saw what caused it. Just assumed it was the worms as I pulled several out of the filter and dropped them back in the tank. I found a bunch of pods too. Dropped them in and some of my fish had a snack. I'll try the vinegar. This sucks.