You have a good plan going.
As for why TTM vs Copper:
Copper... some fish react poorly to copper, and unfortunately you don't find that out until it is too late. copper also masks other issues like velvet and brook meaning you may miss the signs and add too soon to your DT. copper takes 4 weeks at .5ppm and then you are best to monitor/observe at 0ppm copper for 4 more weeks (because of the masking of other issues like velvet), meaning 8 weeks total. copper can be difficult for some people to read the ppm levels with test kits.
I know there are a few species that are not usual carriers of Ich like mandarin goby and I think some of the butterflies are sensitive to Copper, but is it longevity of the fish or individual specimens that are sensitive?
Prazi-Pro works on most of the worms, but I figured that Brook & Velvet are such quick killers that If it came through they would all seccumb
TTM... although it doesn't cure velvet, brook or really anything other than Ich, it doesnt mask those things like copper does. so if you were to do TTM for the 12 days and then observe for 2-3 more weeks, it will have given you plenty of time to assess adequately. another point is that the Ich eradication period is only 12 days instead of the 28 days required with copper. TTM does not require any medication.
Granted, but the entire basis of Ich eradication is observation. I have been observing a very susceptible (purple tang) for 12+ weeks then .. poof.. I can not explain it .. in QT tank with no changes...
those are just a few things to note, but regardless both are great approaches. i choose TTM because i lost fish with copper, and have yet to lose fish in TTM... just takes a little extra elbow grease in the process.
I tried the TTM 2 years ago when I lost most everything in the 125.
ran a PBT & Kole through TTM and still carried it. (we can speculate procedure on my part) but again... We are deciding a fish is clean by observation and I have proven to myself that Observation is not proof enough.
NEVER put the fish directly into .5ppm water, that will likely kill them. you need to add them into 0ppm water and then work the copper levels up very slowly; over 4 days preferred. then start the 4 week timer. you will also want to wait a week or so first to make sure they are eating and otherwise healthy; otherwise you may think copper killed the fish while it was really something else.
For sure...I give them a couple of days to acclimate and eat well, then I take them to .5 mg/L in 4 doses over 48 hrs (12hr between 4 doses) All HT's have PVC fitting for the fish to hide in so there is no cupramine dissipation or absorption as I have a very difficult time reading the SeaChem Cupramine blue gradient. I change 15 gal in the 2/ 55gal HT & 1 75gal HT x 2weeks (Re dose Cupramine to WC water) and have ammonia badges on the tanks. i NEVER use and water quality products (Prime)
