Bristleworms in coral-only tank?

[sketh]

I've been running my softies only tank for quite some time now. I only recently realized that my parameters have bottomed out at 0 nitrates and 0.04 phosphates. I've seen a couple of bristleworms inside of the rock structure show up during ReefRoid feedings and am wondering if it's worth removing them.

I dislike the fact they're in the tank because it means I can't move the rock structures without fear of getting stuck with a bristle. Additionally, I have a feeling they're eating up most of the decaying matter which is also a reason why my nutrients are bottoming out.

Is it worth removing them? And if so, what do you guys do with them? Hand them over to another reefer?

 

[fishywishy]

Whenever I see them, I remove them immediately because they’re creepy and nasty. However, there’s not much reason to remove them other than that and the risk of getting poked. I would recommend using gloves for that. Also, if you don't want to remove them by hand, you can just reduce feeding and they’ll gradually disappear on their own.

I don't think the bristles are causing your parameters to bottom out, I think just need more livestock.

After i remove them i just dispose of them because nobody wants those things.

 

[timmyrules]

I’ve let the bristle worms get out of control before…and I regretted it, because I didn’t like the possibility of getting stung…but if there is only a few, then I would leave em. They make a fantastic cuc. But, If you really want them out, @Printed Reef makes a great bristle worm trap.