QT help

[emcmilla]

So, I just purchased a royal gramma and coral beauty angel and would like to do the best quarantine method. I was thinking of putting them in the QT and treat with prazi. I considered doing TTM first, but it seems like a waste of water if they do not have any ich etc. The coral beauty was in "less than therapeutic copper levels" at the LFS. So, doesn't it make more sense and less stress on the fish if I do not do the TTM unless there are signs of ich?

I found that the TTM can be very stressful on some fish and I'm not sure if either of these types will be stressed. In a previous attempt of quarantining an anthias, I ended up killing him...The problem was the 10g QT.

While some say to QT for at least a month, others that I have spoken to say they maybe have fish in QT for 1-2 weeks and if they don't show any signs they put them in the DT...

I guess peoples' opinions vary about QT partially because many believe ich is always present, in small amounts, in the DT. I am on the fence about whether I believe ich is always present. Part of the reason I believe it's possible is because a fish who has been in the DT for years after QT can develop ich from stress...

Anyhow, this is not really the point of my post. Essentially, I'm wondering about what people think/do for QT and whether they do TTM first or only after symptoms arise.

Finally, I also am wondering how people keep pvc pipe from floating in the QT???????

Thanks everyone, sorry for the long post!

 

[jbvdhp]

QT help

I did TTM after the fact. I tried asking about doing it before you see signs because what if the ich doesn't show up until after TTM is done? There was never a clear, concise answer to that.

Yes it seems like a waste of water, but the efforts pay off.

My pvc doesn't float. Are you buying schedule 40 pvc? I think the thin black plastic ones will float, but schedule 40/80 should be good.

Forgot to add, I have a mix of clowns and anthias i am doing TTM for right now. The clowns were old and in infected waters, and the anthias are new from the LFS. They're going thru TTM as we speak.

 

[emcmilla]

thanks for the response. I will put them in the tank now and see if ich appears. If so, then I'll do the TTM.
I am not sure what schedule pvc pipe I have. I got some pieces from my landlord. I will have to double check with him. Thanks for the help

 

[biomek]

I believe it's possible is because a fish who has been in the DT for years after QT can develop ich from stress...

false. stress does not cause fish to develop ich. If ich is present in their system but not visible, many times the fish being stressed will cause a visible outbreak of the already existing parasite.

From my stand point, the very minimal money for cost of water/salt to perform TTM far outweighs the headaches of not doing TTM should ich be present. if you're worried about the cost of 40 gallons of water (4x tank transfers in a 10gallon tank) than this hobby probably isn't for you.

that being said, I don't necessarily believe all fish are infected with ich but if I can perform TTM to virtually mitigate any potential possibility of ich making to my DT, I'm going to do it. the minimal stress of TTM, if done properly, is nothing to the stress of trying to chase down a fish in a DT that is infected with ich and treating them after the fact.

 

[Deinonych]

Ich is only present in the DT if introduced. A proper quarantine protocol eliminates that possibility. While it is possible to quarantine via observation, it is risky since ich does not have to be visible to be present. This is why I use TTM for all new acquisitions. TTM should not be stressful if executed properly.