Treating a Large Number of Good Sized Fish

[njreefermadness]

I have a 180 gallon reef DT, and my fish have what I believe to be either ich or flukes. I tried all the reef safe snake oil (Rally, Kick Ich, etc.) and now with reality setting in, I am getting serious w/ my treatment. I picked up a 90 gallon on Craig's list, which I am in the process of getting ready for my fish patients. I am filling the 90 w/ water from the 180 when doing water changes, which will hopefully transfer some bioloical filter to the new tank. I have a few rocks in there, a heater and an MP40 and a tunze nano for circ. I will be treating the followinng:

Majestic Angel - 4 in
Flame Angel - 3 in
African Flame back angel 3 in
Naso Tang 6 in
Pink Tail trigger 6 in
Sailfin tang 5 in
Singapore angel 3 in
Vrolick's wrasse 4 in
Lattice Butterfly 4 in

First, what would be the best way to handle this load in the 90 ? I am priming some bio-balls in the 180, and I will have a HOB overflow w/ bio balls and a sump either a 20 or 40 breeder.

How long should this cycle, or does it even need to w/ tank water and "seeding"?

As far as treatment goes, would hypo or copper be better? I had used Prazi in the DT, and it did help some fish, but most are still scratching, head shaking.

The Singapore angel has noticeable white spots on his face and scratches his head and gill area. All fish are eating well. Recent deaths include my prized blue striped angel that I had for over a year, a Klein butterfly, lemon peel angel and Bangai.

I am planning on leaving the DT fallow for 90 days or more, so they are going to be spending a good deal of time in the QT setup. I am going to use PVC fittings for hiding/sleeping places in the QT.

Any ideas on my best course of action would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Herb

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Sorry about your fish. First have you done a freshwater dip to see if flukes is the problem? If this is cryptocaryon then there are a few treatments you can try. I'm sure you've researched and read up on them. If you were to use bio balls or live rock copper will kill the nitrifying bacteria. Chloroquine may or may not harm the bacteria. Tank transfer may not be feasible with all the fish you have to treat. Hypo has mixed reviews as to its efficacy. Which treatment were you leaning towards?

 

[njreefermadness]

I was leaning towards copper. I did fw dip my singapore angel, and 1 of the chromis. I did
Not see anything obvious come off of them, though it was a white bucket, so it was hard to tell. With the way some of the fishes colors were faded out, was making me think flukes. Their rate of respiration also was quite high, with lots of head thrashing .

Herb

 

[H.reidi.MN]

Also majority ruling is used saltwater contains no bacteria that's beneficial to removing toxins so don't rely on tank water to solve your NO3 and NO4 issues ..

 

[Meanmike]

How many times did you use the prazipro? If you only used it for one dose you may have needed to treat a couple more times.

 

[H.reidi.MN]

Head thrashing could indicate flukes. And 2-3 rounds of prazi might be needed.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

I was leaning towards copper. I did fw dip my singapore angel, and 1 of the chromis. I did
Not see anything obvious come off of them, though it was a white bucket, so it was hard to tell. With the way some of the fishes colors were faded out, was making me think flukes. Their rate of respiration also was quite high, with lots of head thrashing .

Herb

It would be better to diagnose what you are dealing with. I would get a black bucket and do another dip. I've used a Halloween candy bowl which worked out great. With those symptoms to sounds like flukes but the spots on the face could be something else, ich or brook. Copper will not cure flukes so if you dosed that without diagnosing you are wasting your time. Prazi does need to be dosed at least a couple of times, sometimes more, for it to kill flukes and the larvae after the eggs hatch.

 

[njreefermadness]

I ran several rounds of Prazi. Sump looked like I was treating w/ Mr. Bubble.

Herb