Urgent Care :: Question

[ILUV_Rocky]

I searched the site for information. I found these stringy thing worm like things in my res's tank. There were about 4 then I cleaned it, Two days later I mustve seen like 15+... I cleaned it again, with vinegar, I spent 3 days obsesively cleaning. I plan on taking him to the vet after 12/23. I have finals for school, and IM the only one that can take him.

What are they? are they parasites? The website speaks a little bit on parasites.?
Does anyone know how to get rid of them? how to clean the tank? are they contagious to human (sorry if thats a stupid question)

please information would be really appreciated.

[SpotsMama]

When you take Rocky to see the vet, take a stool sample for the vet to check for parasites. If the worms are parasites, the vet can tell and will know how to treat them. Different types of parasites require different types of treatment, so it's something the vet will need to do. You'll have to ask the vet about whether they are contageous, but I doubt it.

If it's not parasites but just worms in the tank, then cleaning is the way to go. If vinegar doesn't do the trick, you can wash everything with dilute bleach, then let it air dry until the bleach smell is completely gone. You'll need to change the filter media (rings, stars, sponges). If the worms were brought in on a plant or in some feeder fish, they'll need to go. When you replace the plants in the future, be sure and rinse them off thoroughly in case they are carrying any hitch hikers.

[SpenceMasta]

if they are tiny tiny white stingy worms, then they are harmless, cleaning after cleaning will get rid of them, they are not harmful to you either, just gross to look at, after emptying the tank i usually scrub the tank with salt with the remaining moisture to make a wet paste