How long to leave Fallow

[mule31]

All,

Thanks for all the great info in these forums. Hoping for some advice as to next steps for my tank.

About a month ago I lost 5-8 fish to a mystery illness. I think it was most likely velvet, but we are not sure. The fish would die within 24 hours of showing first symptoms (hiding, loss of appetite, distressed breathing) and all looked pale after death. No spots like ich. I think it was either parasitic or bacterial. I have been fallow for the last month to try and break the cycle.

I am putting a UV sterilizer on the tank today, to try and help with this issue in the future and I am also setting up a QT system for all new fish (never QT'd in the past and learned that lesson the hard way). My question is how long should I leave the tank Fallow? I plan on QTing all fish for 2 weeks to a month. So I would like to start the first couple of fish in QT around 2 weeks or so left in my fallow time.

Any other tips or anything I am missing?

 

[b0bab0ey]

Leave your DT fallow for a total of 9 weeks. UV sterilizer won't kill all of the nasties, some always survive. So, the only way to be 100% is to make sure they all starve to death and that takes 9 weeks. Also, QT any new fish purchases for a total of 9 weeks. I know it's a pain and it sucks, but again, it's the only way to be 100%.

 

[mule31]

So I could start Qting fish now and they both could be done at a similar time? Awesome, I just miss having fish in the house. But don't want to rush it either.

 

[b0bab0ey]

Yup, start QT'ing fish in a separate tank now. Most people just use a bare bottom QT in case they need to medicate. Wait 9 weeks and as long as your fish aren't showing any signs of disease then they are good to go. By then your DT will be disease-free and ready for them.

P.S. Put a tiny pinch of flake food in your DT every other day to maintain your bacteria.

 

[mule31]

I still feed my corals. Its a full reef, just with no fish. And a couple of inverts that are eating too.

I was going to go with a bare bottom 30 gallon tank with a HOB filter and a couple of PVC pipes. Maybe toss a sponge filter in my sump of the DT to transfer bacteria.

 

[b0bab0ey]

I was going to go with a bare bottom 30 gallon tank with a HOB filter and a couple of PVC pipes. Maybe toss a sponge filter in my sump of the DT to transfer bacteria.

I have the exact same sized QT. I'm in the process of changing it from an u/g to a bare bottom system. I plan on using an AquaClear 50 HOB filter. MrTuskFish on here really likes the sponge insert in them for biological filtration.

 

[mule31]

I just picked that filter up and sponges up from the store today at lunch. Glad I'm on the right track. Do you let your QT stay up and cycle first or tear down after each fish?

 

[b0bab0ey]

I just picked that filter up and sponges up from the store today at lunch. Glad I'm on the right track. Do you let your QT stay up and cycle first or tear down after each fish?

I let it stay up and running, unless I had a serious disease problem. That's the beauty of this system - it's easy to tear down and setup... and replacement sponges for those Aquaclear HOB filters are pretty cheap!

 

[snorvich]

Good advice given on this thread! Good job b0bab0ey!!

 

[jeff@zina.com]

I do 8 weeks fallow, but nine is obviously better. I quarantine for 4 weeks, longer if I need to treat. But 9 weeks is fine there as well.

Jeff