QT protocol check in

[fessoclown]

My DT has been fallow for 5 months now, I haven't had time to properly implement TTM+QT to restock until about 2 weeks ago. Super happy to finally get some fish!

I picked up 7 Anthais: 3 Sunset (parvirostris) and 5 Lyretails (squamipinnis) went through the TTM procedure. I did lose 2 fish along the way, 1 of each.
I ended up doing an extra transfer and a couple extra days for a total of 14 days. I did 3x3x3x2x3. I really hope I got it right and didn't contaminate the new tank each time, I was very careful but who knows....

When I started the SG of the LFS was pretty low at 1.018 so I matched it up and raised it a few points just by not topping up with freshwater. My QT where they are now is 1.022.

Questions
Is just letting evaporation happen and not topping up safe way to raise salinity? It seems like it would be. Just wait a week or however long it takes to climb up to 1.026 and then begin topping up?

Is it prudent to treat prophylactically with Prazipro at this point and then just observe for 20-30 days?

What should I be looking for?

I may have a bunch more questions so I figured I would start a new thread for some guidance. Thanks Fellas!

 

[snorvich]

Raising SG through evaporation is fine as long as it is slow enough (remember going up is more stressful than going down); treating with Prazipro x 2 is a good idea. During the additional observation period you are watching for the more virulent parasites that are often masked when coming from a source that runs copper in their system.

 

[fessoclown]

Thanks, what is a safe rate for raising salinity? How do you do it? I appreciate you jumping on the thread Steve.
Cheers!

 

[snorvich]

Thanks, what is a safe rate for raising salinity? How do you do it? I appreciate you jumping on the thread Steve.
Cheers!

I do it by topping off with salt water. In my case the evaporation rate is fixed. Then depending on how far up I want to go, I use salt water at a greater or less degree of salinity. if you do it only using evaporation, the rate of change of salinity will increase over time (evaporation rate is constant but volume is slowly decreasing)

 

[Deinonych]

Raising SG by 0.001 per day is a safe rate. I've done that on just about all of my fish (except for the couple that came from Diver's Den). I do it via small water changes using one of the online salinity calculators.

 

[Kworker]

I would say having the water from your LFS at 1.018 is a fairly good start. I've seen lower, notably 1.014-1.016.

I went fallow a year ago, so far so good. Good luck.

 

[firemountain]

My DT has been fallow for 5 months now, I haven't had time to properly implement TTM+QT to restock until about 2 weeks ago. Super happy to finally get some fish!

I picked up 7 Anthais: 3 Sunset (parvirostris) and 5 Lyretails (squamipinnis) went through the TTM procedure. I did lose 2 fish along the way, 1 of each.
I ended up doing an extra transfer and a couple extra days for a total of 14 days. I did 3x3x3x2x3. I really hope I got it right and didn't contaminate the new tank each time, I was very careful but who knows....

When I started the SG of the LFS was pretty low at 1.018 so I matched it up and raised it a few points just by not topping up with freshwater. My QT where they are now is 1.022.

Questions
Is just letting evaporation happen and not topping up safe way to raise salinity? It seems like it would be. Just wait a week or however long it takes to climb up to 1.026 and then begin topping up?

Is it prudent to treat prophylactically with Prazipro at this point and then just observe for 20-30 days?

What should I be looking for?

I may have a bunch more questions so I figured I would start a new thread for some guidance. Thanks Fellas!

I remember your other thread about the TTM, since I am performing the TTM currently with a Waitei anthias. Sorry you lost 2 fish. With using 10g tanks for the TTM, and my evaporation rate pretty predictable, I was able to only use evaporation to increase my SG safely. Using a digital refractometer will definitely be your friend.

For a larger QT, you can use salt water to top up to raise it, as long as your monitor the increase. In regards to using Prazipro...Just remember to take your skimmer offline, remove your carbon if you are running some, and add an air stone to oxygenate the water. Prazipro depletes O2 levels, and can cause fish to lose their appetite. I usually wait 2 weeks for a new arrival in my QT before I run Prazipro to make sure the fish is eating.

 

[fessoclown]

Thanks guys. My qt tank is a 20 gallon bare bottom with an AC50 with sponge seeded from my DT (fallow for almost 5 months) and a power head. No skimmer or carbon. The Anthias are now eating like pigs and chasing the food around vigorously. The 2 I lost was a bummer but That's how it goes...
I am going to wait another week before the first round of PraziPro. Funny I waited this long to re-stock that I feel absolutely no urgency to get them into the DT.