First losses

[metanis]

Starting a thread more to vent than anything. I have a second-hand well established 110 reef tank. There were 2 ocellaris clowns, 1 black and 1 orange, a royal gramma and yellow long nose butterfly that I added. First owner of the tank had a gradual die off and got out of the hobby. Things were going really well until I introduced the butterfly. Water parameters were all fantastic. ph 8.4, 0 ammonia or nitrites, <5 nitrates with weekly 5-10% water changes. About a week after getting the butterfly, the white spots showed up. I hadn't set up the QT tank yet because there are still some freshwater fish in there that need to be rehomed. I started to set up the qt tank after increasing temp of the reef tank. The spots left only to return with a vengeance and take down the royal gramma as well. I tried the freshwater dip which the butterfly tolerated well for 5 minutes, the gramma only for about 1. Into the QT they went. I came home from a night shift and found the long nose dead. He was swimming around and seemed fine before I left. The gramma is clinging to life, laying on it's side at the bottom of the QT.
I have never had issues with ich in the 13 years I have had freshwater tanks. Frustrating to lose 1, likely 2, beautiful fish because of my negligence. Please share your stories of grief and loss below!

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Read the stickies on crypto at the top of the forum. "Freshwater" ich is different than "saltwater" ich. Increasing the temp and FW dips will do nothing. There is advice on how to treat your fish and your tank.

 

[metanis]

I have read the stickies at the top. I was prepping the QT for hypo salinity treatment but they fish didn't make it long enough.

 

[snorvich]

How did you acclimate? What was the SG of the transport water? What was the SG of the tank? Fresh water ich and salt water ich are not the same and are not treated the same.

 

[metanis]

Transport water was tank water from the main reef tank and the initial water in the QT was from the main tank as well. I replaced the main tank losses with aged saltwater just like I normally do. SG 1.0245. I have removed 5 gallons from the 10 gallon QT today, replaced most with reef tank water and the remaining with RO freshwater to get to SG 1.0225 today. Is this too fast? I am planning to drip acclimate my clowns and put them in QT today so that I can start my fishless process in the DT.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

I have read the stickies at the top. I was prepping the QT for hypo salinity treatment but they fish didn't make it long enough.

How long were they showing symptoms before they died? Ich is typically not a super fast killer like velvet or brook.

 

[metanis]

The first time I noticed the spots on the butterfly was about 1.5 weeks ago, then spots disappeared and all seemed fine although I knew from my reading that I was going to have further issues, just thought I would have had more time to set things up. I didn't have a QT tank but started working on obtaining all the equipment, heater/HOB filter/lighting/tank when the spots returned with a vengeance. I first noticed white spots on the gramma, just a few. Then 3 or 4 on the butterfly but after about 12 hours there seemed to be hundreds of them. That's where the FW dip and QT process started. I am now seeing white spots on my black ocellaris, none on the orange so far. Both still eating fine. Both going to drip acclimate to the QT tonight before I go to work. Does that seem like a reasonable plan? Missing a step? Maybe this is a different disease process?

 

[metanis]

Fishless begins

Fishless begins

The reef tank is now fish less. I have seen a lot of varying opinions on the timetable for being fish free. What do you guys recommend? I was planning for 8 weeks but have seen some recommendations for 6, 10, 12.

On a brighter note, somehow the royal gramma has pulled through from the brink of death. Now swimming and eating well over the past 24 hours. 2 days ago I was certain I was going to lose her. Both clowns eating well also. Continuing the hypo salinity plan.

 

[zeebies]

You need to get past 72 days, so I'd go 10-11 weeks for 99.9% certainty.

 

[metanis]

Ok thank you for the reply. 72 days it is. How long do you normally QT corals/nems/inverts? I am going to set up a small frag tank to grow some things and was just curious about those so as not to transmit anything into the DT.

 

[zeebies]

Metanis, I quarantine rock, corals, inverts, macro (anything wet other than fish) in a separate, fishless reef for 11 weeks. It's a small 10 gallon that is always running. A small frag tank would work really well.

My little tank doesn't take up much space and it's easy to take care of. I just plan ahead and try to add things in 11 week cycles. If I add something before 11 weeks is up, I just restart the clock. After 11 weeks, into the DT.

Easy, schmeezy!

 

[Deinonych]

Metanis, I quarantine rock, corals, inverts, macro (anything wet other than fish) in a separate, fishless reef for 11 weeks. It's a small 10 gallon that is always running. A small frag tank would work really well.

My little tank doesn't take up much space and it's easy to take care of. I just plan ahead and try to add things in 11 week cycles. If I add something before 11 weeks is up, I just restart the clock. After 11 weeks, into the DT.

Easy, schmeezy!

+1

I do the same with a 20 gallon tank. Last year, I had a crypto cyst come in with a piece of coral. Never again.

 

[metanis]

Another loss

Another loss

Not really sure what happened here. Gradually have decreased salinity to goal. Both clowns and the gramma eating really well. Daily water changes. last night I came home from work and the only fish that never had any external signs of ich was dead. Ammonia 0, nitrites 0, nitrates 5. ph in main tank is 8.4 and very consistent. ph in the QT has been down gradually 8-8.2 but been testing every day and there hasn't been an acute drop. There were multiple areas on the fins that had whitish coating on it. Now the black clown has that on a fin and the gramma is looking very ill again. Not sure what's going on at this point. Maybe I'm treating the wrong disease process? Any additional thoughts?

 

[snorvich]

Based on the mortality time line, it sounds like velvet. Ich does not kill as quickly.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

^agree

 

[metanis]

I think that must be it. Lost them all. I can see why this can be such a frustrating hobby but so rewarding too. How long does the DT have to be fish free for an outbreak of velvet? I am thinking of just sticking to corals/inverts for a while until I can get more experience and do more reading.

 

[Deinonych]

For velvet, fallow period is 6 weeks. Sorry for your losses.