Just curious. New Live Rock

[2000se]

I am getting a shipment of live rock from one of the well known live rock places near the Florida keys from the ocean in a few days..

My questions are

1) What is the probability that this rock would have ich ? I know only fish can propagate it but if the fish where living there and the eggs attached to the rock to begin the new cycle do you think there would be any on it?

2) Just in case (highly un-probable) if I do end up with a fish hitch hiker, what is the probability it will be carrying ich (or any other disease for that matter)? Should I TTM him if I find him before I get the rock into the tank?

Just asking questions trying to be safe.

 

[HumbleFish]

1) What is the probability that this rock would have ich ? I know only fish can propagate it but if the fish where living there and the eggs attached to the rock to begin the new cycle do you think there would be any on it?

Parasite tomonts can encyst to any hard surface. It's also possible for worms, harmful bacteria and other nasties to come in on LR. So, odds are you could get some disease if you introduced a fish too quickly. Waiting 76 days would greatly reduce the chances because that will starve out any fish disease from the rock. By denying the parasites/worms/whatever a fish host to feed upon, you are breaking their life cycle of reproduction.

2) Just in case (highly un-probable) if I do end up with a fish hitch hiker, what is the probability it will be carrying ich (or any other disease for that matter)? Should I TTM him if I find him before I get the rock into the tank?

Just as likely to be carrying ich (or some other disease) as the rock. TTM only addresses ich. You would need to treat with copper + metronidazole + praziquantel to completely "cleanse" the fish.

 

[paulweck]

Soak it in a dark barrel for atleast 2 months. Just keep the water moving and heated.

 

[2000se]

[MENTION=292535]HumbleFish[/MENTION] - I was on the fence regarding letting the new tank run fallow for that time to break the cycle. Seems I've been swayed to do this. I too think it would be prudent.

As far as the new fish (if any even arrive as hitchhikers) Yeah, same story to treat them as you bought them...the usual method of QT.. Thanks for nudge in the right direction ..
[MENTION=269569]paulweck[/MENTION] - I think that by doing that you will lose any (if not most) of all the live stuff on the rock that would require lights...Although it is a possibility to do this, and does have some merits, I would rather keep all the macro light requiring plants that come on the rock..

We'll see what this brings..could be a major flop or vice versa..

thanks again to all.