Procedure Check

[CodeBlueMedic]

Hey Folks,

Finally got my 10 gallon QT cycled and I believe I'm ready for fish! Gonna do a large water change today to bring my nitrates down. I have a couple questions regarding procedure...So, in my QT, it is a bare bottom with nothing but water and a HOB penguin filter. I do have a sack of biomax in the filter, in addition to my cartridge. I need to replace the cartridge with just floss, since I plan on treating the water with cupramine. Question is, do you think the small sack of biomax is seeded enough that I can pull out the cartridge without a problem? The bio max has been in there for probably 2 weeks now.

As for the remainder of my procedure check..My plan is to get my first fish, place him into the QT and start dosing cupramine tomorrow. I'll let that treatment run for 14 days, then start running a filter cartridge (with carbon) and let that run for an additional 7-14 days. Lastly, I'll move my new resident into my DT after a total time of around 3-4 weeks of quarantine.

Thoughts on the above time line?

Thanks,
~CBM

 

[thegrun]

You can treat fish even if there is no sign of disease but the treatment is stressful to the fish. I prefer to only treat when necessary. Either way I would add some 1-1/2" or 2" PVC fittings to your QT for the fish to hide in, or they will be even more stressed and susceptible to disease.

 

[CodeBlueMedic]

You can treat fish even if there is no sign of disease but the treatment is stressful to the fish. I prefer to only treat when necessary. Either way I would add some 1-1/2" or 2" PVC fittings to your QT for the fish to hide in, or they will be even more stressed and susceptible to disease.

Indeed, I forgot to add that I am going to pick up some PVC today to put in there

 

[shesacharmer]

I agree with not treating with copper unless you observe the Ich. Giving the fish a few days to settle and eat in your tank before doing anything is often helpful as well. Have you explored the TTM for preventing Ich in your DT? I believe it's less stressful than copper and its over in 13 days and your QT isn't poisoned by copper.

 

[CodeBlueMedic]

I agree with not treating with copper unless you observe the Ich. Giving the fish a few days to settle and eat in your tank before doing anything is often helpful as well. Have you explored the TTM for preventing Ich in your DT? I believe it's less stressful than copper and its over in 13 days and your QT isn't poisoned by copper.

The problem with the TTM for me, is that my work schedule is all over the place and I'm often gone for a day or two at a time. Additionally, I only have two tanks (DT and QT), making the TTM rather difficult lol

 

[shesacharmer]

I understand. Just an FYI, I got two totes and set them up with pvc, heaters, disposable airstones, and thermometers. You set them up identically and then when you transfer the fish the first time (on day 4) it's only a matter of putting the fish into the second tote...hardly takes a moment. The first tote needs to get cleaned and dried for one day...you have three days to accomplish that and set it back up. Then voila transfer fish. It's really a no brainer and the fish can't tell the difference between the two identical tanks. I keep these totes for TTM or medicating fish so I don't put medication into my QT. Like you I only have a DT and a QT.

 

[CodeBlueMedic]

I understand. Just an FYI, I got two totes and set them up with pvc, heaters, disposable airstones, and thermometers. You set them up identically and then when you transfer the fish the first time (on day 4) it's only a matter of putting the fish into the second tote...hardly takes a moment. The first tote needs to get cleaned and dried for one day...you have three days to accomplish that and set it back up. Then voila transfer fish. It's really a no brainer and the fish can't tell the difference between the two identical tanks. I keep these totes for TTM or medicating fish so I don't put medication into my QT. Like you I only have a DT and a QT.

Hmm that actually does sounds pretty easy. I might not be able to keep up with the transfers given my work schedule, but I might be able to talk my wife into catching the fish in the morning and moving it. How large of a container do you use?

Also, if this is the primary source of getting rid of ich, why bother with a QT? I currently have a QT setup that I planned on leaving up 24/7...However, it doesn't sound like it is really even necessary now?

 

[gone fishin]

There are other illnesses that you want to observe for besides ich. Flukes, Brook, Velvet, Lympho to name just a few. In addition the QT gives the fish plenty of time to get use to the food that you feed and in general to get use to being in a tank.

 

[CodeBlueMedic]

There are other illnesses that you want to observe for besides ich. Flukes, Brook, Velvet, Lympho to name just a few. In addition the QT gives the fish plenty of time to get use to the food that you feed and in general to get use to being in a tank.

So TTM first, then move into QT for a week or so?

What size rubber maid tubs?