Cryptocaryon Irritans - tank transfer method

[Spar]

I'll add one more transfer step. Not sure this will make any difference, but I don't see any downside.

one more won't do anything. if a cyst hatched during the extended wait, the cycle starts all over (e.g. ich is back on the fish, which will take up to 7 days to drop off). this is where the risk is.

 

[snorvich]

I was wondering who came up with the TT method and how long ago? It's a brilliant idea.

A variation of what we now use was conceived by Colorni in 1987 but the currently used protocol was investigated and modified further by Stephen Spotte. Originally, it was new water every day for 12 days which, of course, is the absolute best protocol. However 2x2x2x2x2x2 or 3x3x3x3 is now more commonly used. If you read and intimately understand the front end of the life cycle it is obvious why tank transfer is so effective.

 

[Spork3245]

Hey guys,

I have my two wrasses I've mentioned in previous threads coming tomorrow morning, probably between 10-11am. I'm going to start immediately with tank transfer. They are a carpenter's flasher wrasse and a red velvet fairy wrasse, due to unforeseen circumstances with my mixing brute possibly being contaminated (probably isn't but I cannot risk it ) and not being able to rinse/air-dry it till Friday, I'll need to keep the wrasses in the same 5g bucket for the TT method. I have air-stones, 25w heaters as well as PVC elbows ready to go for them. Do you think this will be a problem? I'll be watching for aggression and will split them up if need be (I'll begin mixing a new bucket of water immediately after putting them in the first bucket).

Also, my current plan is to (since they arrive 06/05/2014) do the 1st "transfer" on Sunday (6/8) between 8-9am (will be the same time each day), 2nd transfer on Wednesday (6/11), 3rd on Saturday (6/14) and final into a 40 breeder (temp home) on Tuesday (6/17) ---- Does this sound correct?

 

[Spar]

IMO they will be fine in the same bucket for a day or two, just keep an eye out for abrasions from fighting, or strong breathing from stress. fish are so stressed the first week even, aggressions doesn't generally show itself right away, but can.

your plan timing is spot-on.

 

[Spar]

also consider fitting some egg crate to form a barrier between the two. may take some careful trimming as the bucket isn't exactly straight up and down. but give it a try if you have the time and patience!

 

[Spork3245]

also consider fitting some egg crate to form a barrier between the two. may take some careful trimming as the bucket isn't exactly straight up and down. but give it a try if you have the time and patience!

Thank you!!!!!!
Good idea with the egg crate, I may give that a shot.
If it helps, the fish are in super good health, have already been treated with prazipro for two weeks and have been eating without stress for over a week. Obviously the transfer to a new tank (or in this case, bucket) is going to be stressful but will those other things factor in positively?

Also, how much/often should I be feeding them in the buckets during the TTM? I have some Selcon arriving on Friday in case I need to use garlic to get them eating more readily. Would simply using flakes via feeding tongs be okay or should I give them a bit of mysis occasionally too?

 

[Pigpen17]

So I have read over and over again about how you should not use a net during Tank Transfer for Ich, but I am having a hard time finding out why. Is that for the stress of the fish? Or is that for the transfer of Ich? Is there something horrible about a net?

 

[Spar]

So I have read over and over again about how you should not use a net during Tank Transfer for Ich, but I am having a hard time finding out why. Is that for the stress of the fish? Or is that for the transfer of Ich? Is there something horrible about a net?

Generally not recommended because of fish getting caught in the net and getting injured. If you do use one it is ok just make sure it dries completely and stays dry for 24 hours. Will take longer than other equipment.

 

[Pigpen17]

Generally not recommended because of fish getting caught in the net and getting injured. If you do use one it is ok just make sure it dries completely and stays dry for 24 hours. Will take longer than other equipment.

Thanks.

 

[tmz]

When I use a net I use a fine mesh brine shrimp net;it's less likely to snag a fish or damage it's eyes. After a thorough rinse with tap water, I place it near a heating/ac vent to ensure faster drying. If you drain the water down and take out all the equipment before trying to catch the fish in a transfer tank a net is usually not needed.

 

[DasCamel]

I just scoop them up with tupperware or a glass bowl. Scoop them up, drain the water out and gently slide them into the new container. If done right, zero chasing.

 

[andy01748]

The one downside to TTM is that if you miss a transfer the clock starts over. The only thing you got going for you on this is that the 4th transfer is generally considered an extra transfer. Timing wise it makes sense but there is a small window where it could be necessary.

Comes down to your call on if you start it over. Everyone has their own tolerance levels to the potential of failing.

I know it is a calculated gamble, but I decided to consider TTM complete for the bicolor angel. Based on advice here, I am now treating the bicolor angel prophylactically with PraziPro (one dose) for seven days. Once complete, I will transfer to my DT. I have three fish in my now ich contaminated observation tank, 2 newly acquire Banggai Cardinals (purchased same time as the bicolor) and a clown I've had over 6 months. No symptoms (although hard to spot ich on the Banggais!) but I know I need to go through TTM with them and leave the observation tank without fish for 9 weeks after I take them out.

Since I am using one of the TTM tanks for the PraziPro treatment on the bicolor, I don't have the equipment to start TTM on the other 3 fish yet. To compress the schedule, can I dose PraziPro in my observation tank and treat these guys now? It is a standard biocube setup (biocube filter cartridge, bioballs for the wet/dry filter) plus I have about 30 lbs LR. I would remove the filter cartridge that contains the carbon. I also have a large number of inverts (different varieties of snails, pair of porcelain crabs, emerald crab, and a peppermint, cleaner, and fire shrimp.) Will PraziPro hurt these guys? Or should I do the prophylactic PraziPro treatment during the TTM?

 

[supra400hptt]

Thank you!!!!!!

Also, how much/often should I be feeding them in the buckets during the TTM? I have some Selcon arriving on Friday in case I need to use garlic to get them eating more readily. Would simply using flakes via feeding tongs be okay or should I give them a bit of mysis occasionally too?

I do 2x2x2x2x2x2 and feed mysis. Day one of new water of each set I feed light. Day two a few hours before transfer I feed heavy. My goal is to keep ammonia from building up so I transfer every two days and the heavy feeding a few hours doesn't cause problems with left over food since they are getting ready to go to a new bucket.

BTW, after a transfer I dump a little bleach into the dirty bucket with the heater and airstone still in there, then I rinse with fresh water, then dry. I'm confident the combination of bleach, fresh water, then dry, will kill all crypto that's come off the fish (I use two sets of equipment to run this, 2 buckets, two air stones, 2 heaters so everything can dry).

Only fish I've lost so far is a wrasse that jumped out of the bucket. Recommend a cover of some sorts.

 

[snorvich]

I do 2x2x2x2x2x2 and feed mysis. Day one of new water of each set I feed light. Day two a few hours before transfer I feed heavy. My goal is to keep ammonia from building up so I transfer every two days and the heavy feeding a few hours doesn't cause problems with left over food since they are getting ready to go to a new bucket.

BTW, after a transfer I dump a little bleach into the dirty bucket with the heater and airstone still in there, then I rinse with fresh water, then dry. I'm confident the combination of bleach, fresh water, then dry, will kill all crypto that's come off the fish (I use two sets of equipment to run this, 2 buckets, two air stones, 2 heaters so everything can dry).

Only fish I've lost so far is a wrasse that jumped out of the bucket. Recommend a cover of some sorts.

Excellent practice!

 

[Deep Reef]

I have been getting fish with ich regularly from my lfs and by the time i see it it's too late. Is it a good practice to perform the transfer method with all new fish right from day one before they show signs of ich?

 

[snorvich]

I have been getting fish with ich regularly from my lfs and by the time i see it it's too late. Is it a good practice to perform the transfer method with all new fish right from day one before they show signs of ich?

In short, yes.

 

[Deep Reef]

ok thanks, lost another Royal gramma today

 

[Whistl3r]

Hey Steve I have a clarifying question on TT please. When following the timeline listed below, on day 13 am I transferring to the QT for observation at that point or for one last 3 day stay in a TT tank? I think it is the QT but wanted to make sure.

Day 1 - fish in QT.
Day 4 - in AM, but before tank lights come on (8-9 AM EST), transfer fish to new tank, matching temp and salinity. Transfer as little water as possible.
Day 7 - repeat.
Day 10 - repeat.
Day 13 - repeat and done.

 

[Pigpen17]

I have been getting fish with ich regularly from my lfs and by the time i see it it's too late. Is it a good practice to perform the transfer method with all new fish right from day one before they show signs of ich?

Have you had Ich infested fish in your tank? If so you might be giving every fish you buy Ich.

 

[Spar]

Hey Steve I have a clarifying question on TT please. When following the timeline listed below, on day 13 am I transferring to the QT for observation at that point or for one last 3 day stay in a TT tank? I think it is the QT but wanted to make sure.

Day 1 - fish in QT.
Day 4 - in AM, but before tank lights come on (8-9 AM EST), transfer fish to new tank, matching temp and salinity. Transfer as little water as possible.
Day 7 - repeat.
Day 10 - repeat.
Day 13 - repeat and done.

Day 13 is the final time transferring them for TTM purposes. This is when you will want to start your 4+ weeks of observation. So you can move them to a larger tank on Day 13 if you wish.