Ich, Velvet or something else?

[ThRoewer]

You can use some large clear storage bins. For example I use 99 liter Rubbermaid containers for my life-food cultures.
If you don't have already some at home you get them at every Wal-Mart or Container depot. They have the advantage of being quite large, cheap and easy to clean.

 

[Clancaster23]

I'll use my sitting 35 gallon spare tank and look at getting a clear bin like you said. Where can I find either of the medications you guys say I am supposed to treat with? Unfortunately I can't even do this until Saturday, hopefully they'll still be ok by then.

 

[Clancaster23]

And can I get a confirmation on what exactly I should be doing here. More than one reply so I got kind of confused.

I am going to get Cupramine, have two quarantine tanks, both ready to go.

Move all fish to one and dose the Cupramine.

Three days after that, move all fish into second fresh QT, dosing with cupramine every time I change tanks.

Do this routine 4-5 times. After the last time, do I leave them in that one for the remainder of the 72 day stretch?

If I am not getting something right or missing something, let me know please. I want to do this right.

 

[ThRoewer]

I wouldn't use Cupramine or any other form of copper at all because it will reduce the fish's immune system which in turn can open the door for opportunistic infections.
Plus the whole idea of TTM is not to use copper.

If you do TTM I would suggest to do 45 minute formalin plus malachite green baths in-between when transferring the fish from on tank to the next.
TTM will take care of Cryptocaryon (ich), while the formalin/malachite green baths kill all the other possible suspects.
If you want to go extra sure that you kill all the nasties you can also add Chloroquine Primer (CP) in the TTM tanks. But be careful, some fish don't tolerate it (e.g. seahorses, pipefish and their relatives)

I would do the following schedule:

1. 3 days Tank 1 / sterilize and prepare QT/Holding tank
Transfer: 45 min Formalin/Malachite green bath
2. 3 days Tank 2 / sterilize and prepare Tank 1
Transfer: 45 min Formalin/Malachite green bath
3. 3 days Tank 1 / sterilize and prepare Tank 2
Transfer: 45 min Formalin/Malachite green bath
4. 3 days Tank 2 / sterilize and prepare Tank 1
Transfer: 45 min Formalin/Malachite green bath
5. back into QT/Holding tank

This requires 3 tanks/container, 2 for the actual treatment and one to hold the fish for the fallow period after the treatment. You may also need a bucket for the baths in-between transfers.

 

[Clancaster23]

Ok, can you tell me what exactly I need to get as far as medications go and where to get them? I'm guessing I'll need to order them online which will add a couple more days before I can start this.

 

[ThRoewer]

You can start without the medication.
These are the two you need in the form available from Amazon (with Amazon Prime and 1 day shipping you can have it on Saturday.
Kordon Rid-Ich Plus is a ready to go Formalin/Malachite green mix.
New Life Spectrum ICK Shield Powder is Chloroquine (without the need of getting a prescription from a vet)
I would also order some Syringes for dosing the Formalin/Malachite green.

 

[Clancaster23]

Ok, thanks, all is ordered.

As far as setting up the two separate quarantine tanks, I will need to make fresh salt water and fill up whichever empty I have cleaned up and after their 45 minute bath, they all get moved to the newly mixed tank for three days then repeat 4-5 times. After that, they just sit in the next tank for the remaining of the 72 day period? Should I still be treating with the medication after the TTM period?

Obviously this is all going to be with brand new water so it won't be cycled or anything. As far as the quarantine tanks go, will I need to have any live rock in them or anything like that or will a bare tank do? I do have a small hob filter I can use on it if needed but I don't have any seeded pads.

 

[ThRoewer]

Two tanks will be fine too. Though I would let the freshly mixed saltwater water circulate in the tank for at least two days before putting fish into it. I would also use something like Seachem Prime to bind chlorine, ammonia and other toxins.

You should also feed very carefully and remove any leftovers and poo immediately.

For the holding tank you should start cycling the HOB filter with a new pad in a bucket. You should add something like Instant Ocean BIO-Spira Water Treatment to get the bacteria going. For that purpose you should also add small amounts of food so the bacteria have something to process.
I would do this as far away from the TTM and display tanks as possible to prevent accidental introduction of pathogens.
You may also want to get a Seachem Ammonia Alert for the holding tank.

As "decoration for the TTM tanks you can use PVC tube sections or/and fittings or anything you can clean and disinfect easily. If nothing else is available you can use ceramic mugs - just make sure they are clean and well rinsed. Between transfers you can clean this decoration in your dishwasher - just don't use detergent. The heat should be sufficient to kill everything.

For the holding tank after the treatment I would recommend simple ceramic flower pots. You can leave them as they are or break them to make hiding places for the fish.

It isn't required to cycle the TTM tank filters but I would clean them every day. Ideally you use foam or just filter mat material. You should have one foam filter for each step or, if you only have one or two, you need to disinfect them by boiling them for at least 10 minutes. Add some Seachem Prime on the second day in each tank to bind eventually developing ammonia.

One other important thing: Formalin binds oxygen so the buckets you do the baths in need to be well aerated with an airstone. Start aerating the bucket water for an hour before adding the fish. Add the formalin/malachite green mix just before you add the fish. While the fish are in the bucket you should watch them to see if show any signs of breathing problems