Can I use a 5gal bucket for TT method

[mattsilvester]

Hi All,

Can I use a 5 gallon bucket with an air stone for the tank transfer method, for a single 2-3" yellow tang?

 

[mattsilvester]

^Bump

 

[MellowReefer]

Planning for tank transfer myself right now for the first time, so no expert opinion from me unfortunately. I have read posts where the experts said you could use buckets. But, I am probably going to get regular 5-10 gallon glass tanks. I just don't like not being able to see the fish very well. Yes you can look down on them but it's much harder to see how they are doing. Also I wonder about how it works when the ich life cycle relates to light. Unless you are putting a light over the bucket its kinda dark in there.

 

[mattsilvester]

Yes, I have been using bigger glass tanks. My dilemma is that I had 3 yellow tangs in holding, but unfortunately 1 of them died. So I want to get another yellow tang with a view to introducing all three to the DT at the same time. I'm a bit stuck for space both in terms of where to put the TT tanks, and also in terms of my capacity to generate salt water.

 

[Dmorty217]

The 5g bucket is fine for TT, although it is harder to observe the fish in a bucket as opposed to a tank. Just be sure to keep a close eye on the ammonia level, since it can change rapidly in a 5g bucket with no bio filter

 

[mattsilvester]

The 5g bucket is fine for TT, although it is harder to observe the fish in a bucket as opposed to a tank. Just be sure to keep a close eye on the ammonia level, since it can change rapidly in a 5g bucket with no bio filter

Thanks Dmorty.

I will be sure to get a fish that is (a) already plump and (b) feeding well. Then I can feed very sparingly, and even then I will feed in the evening before the change so he has the chance to metabolise the nourishment and poop it out - just before being moved to fresh water.

Fingers crossed!!!

 

[Dmorty217]

There are also many different ammonia detoxifiers available, which will not do away with the ammonia but instead bind it up so it isn't toxic to the fish. If you think of going this route just know that the detoxifier will make the oxygen levels drop so good water agitation is a must

 

[mattsilvester]

Thanks. Yes I've been using that. Ammonia still reads on the test kit but apparently that is to be expected.

I believe I lost my yellow tang to "stress". They have been in the holding tank for 50 days now and really don't look happy.

Nearly over the line now!!! Fingers crossed.

 

[Breadman03]

Grab some ammonia alert badges. From what I read, they detect only the free ammonia and not the bound ammonia.

 

[MellowReefer]

Grab some ammonia alert badges. From what I read, they detect only the free ammonia and not the bound ammonia.

The only problem with that is they supposedly take a few days in water to work. So if you dried them out between uses like you are supposed to do with all equipment, it wouldn't work so well. I guess you could buy enough for all transfers and store them in a cup of water.

 

[Breadman03]

The only problem with that is they supposedly take a few days in water to work. So if you dried them out between uses like you are supposed to do with all equipment, it wouldn't work so well. I guess you could buy enough for all transfers and store them in a cup of water.

I have two in my sump and plan on buying three more at some point just to keep them handy for QT. That's enough to have a fresh one for each stage of tank transfer.

 

[marin8n]

So how did it turn out with the 3rd tang?

I'm in the exact same scenario...just lost a purple unexpectedly and want to introduce him to main tank at same time as the rest of the tangs (2 yellow, I kole, 1 hippo). Was also hoping I could do this in 5 gal buckets with airstone/prime for ammo then 3 weeks in observation/prazipro in a normal QT.