How does this look for a Quarantine Process

[lester.elkins]

So Another learn the hard way about quarantining story after an Ich outbreak. I lost 2 tangs but have two clowns, a green mandarin, and a yellow watchman golby that have survived. I broke down most of my 75 gallon reef to catch and remove the fish. I moved the fish to a 20 gallon bare bottom quarantine tank last night then restocked my reef which is now without any fish in the display. I plan on letting the display tank sit fallow for 12 weeks to break the Ich cycle.

Quarantine tank is setup with a air pump with no stone, PVC fittings for hiding places, a Hydor 480gph power head, a cobalt heater, and a fitted top with light. Basically I bought the 20 gallon starter tank for Petco and added the heater, power head, PVC, and air line.

After reading so many different opinions on the Quarantine process here's what I've put together as my plan going forward. I welcome your thoughts and critiques on my plan.

1. Setup quarantine tank using 50% display tank water and 50% new saltwater.

2. Every second day check for ammonia levels and salinity throughout the quarantine process.

3. Day 2 dose Prazipro.

4. Day 7 do a 50% water change then start Cupramine dosing after water change. Dose as instructions state for the water volume in the tank. Final copper concentration target is 0.5 mg/L using a test kit. Do a second dose of Prazipro at this time.

5. Check copper levels daily and adjust Cupramine as needed to maintain 0.5 MG/L for the next 14 days.

6. Day 15 perform a 50 % water change and then add carbon to remove copper from the water. Test water daily to watch copper levels until the levels are at zero.

7. Observe the fish over the next week for any signs of issues. If all looks good and the fish are eating well then it's safe to add to the display tank.
( I'm waiting 12 weeks now since I have the ich outbreak in the display Tank)

 

[scooter31707]

You are on the right track and I applaud you for taking extra steps after lessons learn. IMO, Cooper can be very dangerous to the fish if overdose and not effective if underdosed. I assume you may be kind of new, you will have to be extremely careful when using cooper, especially when doing water changes. Also things within the filtration and tank can absorb the cooper giving you a false reading. I would make sure the fish is eating very well before dosing PP and cooper together. Both can have the tendency to suppress appetites.

 

[Triggerfish]

1. Setup quarantine tank using 50% display tank water and 50% new saltwater.
2. Every second day check for ammonia levels and salinity throughout the quarantine process.
3. Day 2 dose Prazipro.
4. Day 7 do a 50% water change then start Cupramine dosing after water change. Dose as instructions state for the water volume in the tank. Final copper concentration target is 0.5 mg/L using a test kit. Do a second dose of Prazipro at this time.
5. Check copper levels daily and adjust Cupramine as needed to maintain 0.5 MG/L for the next 14 days.
6. Day 15 perform a 50 % water change and then add carbon to remove copper from the water. Test water daily to watch copper levels until the levels are at zero.
7. Observe the fish over the next week for any signs of issues. If all looks good and the fish are eating well then it's safe to add to the display tank.
( I'm waiting 12 weeks now since I have the ich outbreak in the display Tank)

1. i wouldn't use any infected tank water in the QT.
2. why salinity? do you experience a lot of evap?
3. i would skip prazi for ich treatment
4. on day 3 i would tank transfer to eradicate ich from the fish(it actually started on day 1)
5. no need with TTM
6. day 12 done.
7. either sterilize current tank and start over or wait it out.

 

[Deinonych]

^^^
Agreed on all counts, especially about not using infected DT water in the QT. Use new water for the QT to make sure no parasites transfer over from the DT. Best practice is to keep the QT in a completely separate room from the DT for biosecurity reasons.

 

[snorvich]

1. i wouldn't use any infected tank water in the QT.
2. why salinity? do you experience a lot of evap?
3. i would skip prazi for ich treatment
4. on day 3 i would tank transfer to eradicate ich from the fish(it actually started on day 1)
5. no need with TTM
6. day 12 done.
7. either sterilize current tank and start over or wait it out.

What he said. I never recommend copper for any treatment.

 

[jsanchez]

I start my QT tank out with all new water. I start copper treatment first and continue the treatment for 28 days then I do 7 days of Prazipro. Haven't lost a fish in about 4 years.

 

[lespaul339]

The only thing copper is good at killing is your fish. Some fish are more sensitive to copper treatment than others. Do Tank transfer Method instead.

My QT regimen is:

Soak fish in shipping bag/ store bag for 15 mins in two gallons of saltwater with 2 ml of Formalin with matched SG as shipping bag or store water. Make sure to have heater and air stone in the two gallons of water (very important). After 15 mins put fish in formalin dip for 50 mins to an hour. I have another tank set up with matched temp and SG. After formalin dip, put fish in other holding tank. Then do Tank Transfer method. I do 6 transfers. Days 1,3,5,7,10,13. Day one counts as the first transfer. I then do a couple rounds of Prazi on days 3 and 7. Then after the fish completes TTM I keep it in a tank for a month of observation before it goes in my display.


I'm happy to report my display is disease free and I've been very successful with this QT regimen.

 

[Deinonych]

The only thing copper is good at killing is your fish. Some fish are more sensitive to copper treatment than others. Do Tank transfer Method instead.

My QT regimen is:

Soak fish in shipping bag/ store bag for 15 mins in two gallons of saltwater with 2 ml of Formalin with matched SG as shipping bag or store water. Make sure to have heater and air stone in the two gallons of water (very important). After 15 mins put fish in formalin dip for 50 mins to an hour. I have another tank set up with matched temp and SG. After formalin dip, put fish in other holding tank. Then do Tank Transfer method. I do 6 transfers. Days 1,3,5,7,10,13. Day one counts as the first transfer. I then do a couple rounds of Prazi on days 3 and 7. Then after the fish completes TTM I keep it in a tank for a month of observation before it goes in my display.


I'm happy to report my display is disease free and I've been very successful with this QT regimen.

:thumbsup:

That's a sound QT regimen that covers the most common pathogens.