Tank Transfer method 1 step further!!!

[maroun.c]

Been reading about this method extensively and haven't tried it yet. Looks to be a very serious method and I'm surprized it's not more frequently used.
Couple of potential pitfalls I see:
-Transfering cysts with the fish during transfer
-Stressing an already stressed fish
-ammonia spikes and potential acclimation issues
-Rather labor intensive method with tanks having to be sterilized or at least restarted 3-4 times in a couple of weeks.
Been considering following modifications to the method:
-Starting with a single tank divided by 4 partitions and a water level higher than those so basically same water while tank is cycled. lower water level before introducing fish to have 4 separate but identical water quality tanks. and same filtration on each. Can also be done with 4 tanks running and cycled.
-have same decoration in all tanks ( basically a couple of PVC tubes in each in the same position.
-Why not add an additional component to prevent or minimize cyst formation like runing the tanks with copper, hypo (have to drop salinity in first tank and then start treatment) or run an overrated UV on the system.
Appreciate any thoughts

One last question about ich life cycle, is when is treatment (copper or UV) more efficient in killing the parasite? it has 2 swiming stages Tomites becoming theronts and infecting fish (24-48 hours post exiting cyst) and mature trophonts after exiting fish (up to 18 hours) is there any clearly more vulnerable stage (smaller or larger size of the parasite) causing any treatment (high coper dose) to be applied at that specific stage to may be help some more. One will have to predict when more trophonts would be exiting the fish: directly post transfer or maybe a few hours before transfer?

 

[snorvich]

Been reading about this method extensively and haven't tried it yet. Looks to be a very serious method and I'm surprized it's not more frequently used.
Couple of potential pitfalls I see:
-Transfering cysts with the fish during transfer

If you do not transfer water, you will be fine

-Stressing an already stressed fish

Dieing is stressful; proper transfer is not

-ammonia spikes and potential acclimation issues

Since there is no copper, Prime or equivalent prevents ammonia

-Rather labor intensive method with tanks having to be sterilized or at least restarted 3-4 times in a couple of weeks.

Hey, if you want healthy fish, in my opinon this is the easiest and most effective way

Been considering following modifications to the method:
-Starting with a single tank divided by 4 partitions and a water level higher than those so basically same water while tank is cycled. lower water level before introducing fish to have 4 separate but identical water quality tanks. and same filtration on each. Can also be done with 4 tanks running and cycled.
-have same decoration in all tanks ( basically a couple of PVC tubes in each in the same position.
-Why not add an additional component to prevent or minimize cyst formation like runing the tanks with copper, hypo (have to drop salinity in first tank and then start treatment) or run an overrated UV on the system.
Appreciate any thoughts

Sorry, I do not agree with any of your suggestions but they are your fish . . .

One last question about ich life cycle, is when is treatment (copper or UV) more efficient in killing the parasite? it has 2 swiming stages Tomites becoming theronts and infecting fish (24-48 hours post exiting cyst) and mature trophonts after exiting fish (up to 18 hours) is there any clearly more vulnerable stage (smaller or larger size of the parasite) causing any treatment (high coper dose) to be applied at that specific stage to may be help some more. One will have to predict when more trophonts would be exiting the fish: directly post transfer or maybe a few hours before transfer?

I think you are making this much more complex than it needs to be. If you are using copper or hyposalinity, the tomite stage is the most vulnerable but that stage is the least predictable from a time perspective. The most predictable is when trophonts exit the fish

 

[balto777]

I recommend trying it as is first. I just did and will be doing it for all new additions. It wasn't that hard, and three days is really not enough time to develop ammonia unless you are overfeeding.

 

[maroun.c]

Thanks for your help.
Guess I'll try it as is and compare the results I get to hypo and copper which eventually would be more stressfull and harmfull to a fish than just a tank move.
couple of last questions, is it equally effective for velvet flukes and intenstinal parasite or should I still runa prazipro treatment before the fish moves to the DT?
Thanks.

 

[geaux xman]

The asians, they even do a 7 day transfer. Transfer into a new bucket each day for 7 days. I know a couple that does that method. His collection of fish is very expensive too.

Personally, I prefer cupramine and it has worked well for me.

 

[snorvich]

Thanks for your help.
Guess I'll try it as is and compare the results I get to hypo and copper which eventually would be more stressfull and harmfull to a fish than just a tank move.
couple of last questions, is it equally effective for velvet flukes and intenstinal parasite or should I still runa prazipro treatment before the fish moves to the DT?
Thanks.

No, it does not work for anything other than cryptocaryon. I have a preferred fish introduction involving tank transfer in my blog. I recommend prazipro on all new fish.