IronMan72
New member
I generally use a UV sterilizer during QT. TMZ, have you ever used one with the tank transfer method? What do you do to clean your equipment before introducing it into the next tank.
I also typically use pre-seeded filter media in the HOB filter to minimize the cycle during QT. Won't any treatment such as prazipro, or copper kill off the beneficial bacteria colony on this media and render it useless?
Since Christmas is upon us I will likely not have another opportunity to visit these forums until the day I am to pick up the new fish so I think for this time I will use the following procedure to QT. I'll have three days to consider changes to it before the first transfer.
I'll begin with the 12 day transfer method with UV, heater and PVC in the tank. The transfer will occur with only a second, pre-sterilized heater in the tank, maybe an air stone. I'll run chlorinated water through the UV and pump in a bucket with the heater and pvc for 30 mins to sterilize, then use two or three 30 min rinse cycles in fresh water with dechlor to eliminate the chlorine before I move the UV to the new tank. The heater and pvc will be allowed to thoroughly dry with the first tank until it's time to set them up for the next transfer. At the fifth and final transfer I'll introduce the HOB, with pre-seeded filter media for the duration of the QT, 2 weeks. I will avoid medicating the QT unless signs of a parasite are detected. If I begin medication then the QT period will be extended until the fish is healthy.
I may consider doing a formalin or freshwater dip at each transfer as well.
This method really won't accelerate my typical 4 to 6 week QT much but should be more effective at eliminating ich and provide enough opportunity to detect other parasites before introducing the new fish to my system.
I also typically use pre-seeded filter media in the HOB filter to minimize the cycle during QT. Won't any treatment such as prazipro, or copper kill off the beneficial bacteria colony on this media and render it useless?
Since Christmas is upon us I will likely not have another opportunity to visit these forums until the day I am to pick up the new fish so I think for this time I will use the following procedure to QT. I'll have three days to consider changes to it before the first transfer.
I'll begin with the 12 day transfer method with UV, heater and PVC in the tank. The transfer will occur with only a second, pre-sterilized heater in the tank, maybe an air stone. I'll run chlorinated water through the UV and pump in a bucket with the heater and pvc for 30 mins to sterilize, then use two or three 30 min rinse cycles in fresh water with dechlor to eliminate the chlorine before I move the UV to the new tank. The heater and pvc will be allowed to thoroughly dry with the first tank until it's time to set them up for the next transfer. At the fifth and final transfer I'll introduce the HOB, with pre-seeded filter media for the duration of the QT, 2 weeks. I will avoid medicating the QT unless signs of a parasite are detected. If I begin medication then the QT period will be extended until the fish is healthy.
I may consider doing a formalin or freshwater dip at each transfer as well.
This method really won't accelerate my typical 4 to 6 week QT much but should be more effective at eliminating ich and provide enough opportunity to detect other parasites before introducing the new fish to my system.
