TTM plan. Please review

[tbelliot]

Hey guys and gals. I just purchased a pink tail trigger and striped squirrelfish and plan to do the TTM instead of cupramine this time around. I will be using 20 longs. If someone can review this and make sure it's correct I would appreciate it. Fish have already received prazipro and all transfers will happen at 6:30 am.

April 16th - transfer 1
April 19th - transfer 2
April 22nd - transfer 3
April 25th - transfer 4
April 28th - transfer to DT

Look good?

Tyler

 

[Nina51]

yes, your timetable is fine except for the transfer to dt. once ttm is completed, you should leave the fish in qt for 4-6 weeks to rule out any other issues. some people even go 12 weeks in qt after ttm.

 

[maxxII]

Nina is correct, (as always).....

QT for Ich ends 30 days AFTER the fish has last shown signs of ich. Any symptoms start QT and the process all over again.

I've been known to keep the fish in QT for several months afterward just to acclimate it to captivity and get it eating well.

 

[tbelliot]

Thank you both. I was hoping this way I could get them both into the DT a little faster. Oh well I'm a pretty patient guy I guess!

 

[maxxII]

Nothing good happens quickly in this hobby.....

 

[snorvich]

Nothing good happens quickly in this hobby.....

Absolutely. Patience is always a good thing!

 

[Spar]

Thank you both. I was hoping this way I could get them both into the DT a little faster. Oh well I'm a pretty patient guy I guess!

that extra time will help you know if something didn't go right in the TTM procedures (e.g. ich remains, which has happened to me before), and will give time for velvet, brook and other nasties to pop up of which TTM does not help with.

 

[ThRoewer]

I would add 45min formalin dips during the transfers to clean the fish of eventual velvet, brook, uronema, trichodina,... infections. Some of these may be present on fish in a low counts without causing immediate harm but could multiply if the fish's immune system gets weakened.
Formalin will also cause most worms or crustacean parasites to drop off the fish.

Also I personally would not do the transfers always at the same time but rather each subsequent 15 to 30min earlier to be sure to stay below the 72 hours. Also I would plan the transfers for the time most convenient to me and not aim for a particular time of day (really doesn't matter with TTM).

 

[Spar]

Also I personally would not do the transfers always at the same time but rather each subsequent 15 to 30min earlier to be sure to stay below the 72 hours. Also I would plan the transfers for the time most convenient to me and not aim for a particular time of day (really doesn't matter with TTM).

the actual period of time you have is over 80 hours before you miss the window. the 72 hours recommendation is just since it is an easy one to go with (exactly 3 days), and to ensure you are well under the point where it might become an issue. my personal threshold is around 76 hours before i say i waited too long and will start over. i just do them when i wake up in the morning, whenever that is between 5-8am.

 

[tbelliot]

Unfortunately my first attempt at TTM didn't go well. Lost them both within the first day. At this point I do not know what went on, parameters matched perfectly. The only thing that went wrong in the process is my trigger threw up his morning meal in the fresh tank. Because I witnessed I was able to net out what was left of his breakfast. I wouldn't have thought transferring him would have stressed him that much?

I also am not sure there was enough surface agitation in the tank. I filled the tank 3/4 way and placed the powerhead horizontal in the tank. If I were to place the powerhead vertical I would have got more surface agitation? Do you think it could have been a lack of O2?

 

[julie180]

Lack if o2 could be a problem as well as ammonia build up. What size tank are you using? I always keep an airstone in my QT and tank transfer tanks. Just don't try to re-use the airstone.

 

[Spar]

Lack if o2 could be a problem as well as ammonia build up. What size tank are you using? I always keep an airstone in my QT and tank transfer tanks. Just don't try to re-use the airstone.

+1

You dont need a powerhead and id recommend ditching it from future ttm procedures. Airstones will provide all the o2 necessary. If too small of a tank it is possible the powerhead was stressing the fish out.

 

[andy01748]

Did you use fresh mixed salt water for TTM water? I had problems I attributed to new water even after aging more than 24 hrs. If you are confident your DT is ich free, recommend using this as a source for TTM. If not, consider aging your TTM water at least 48 hours if not longer prior to introducing fish.

 

[tbelliot]

The tank is a 20 long. I will try just using an air stone next time around.

The water was freshly made, a little over 24 hours of aeration and heat. I will make sure I try aging it a little longer next time.

This was certainly a disappointing experience as I really enjoyed my pinktail trigger. He was great!

 

[DaveRaz]

It's daunting at first. Although I never lost a fish it was certainly stressful. Once you do it a few times it pretty simple. Just KISS.

I will tell you that I no longer impulse buy as when I think about a new purchase I consider the QT process and put the wallet back in my pocket.

 

[tbelliot]

Agreed. I will definitely try this method again, I guess I just didn't expect to have any issues. Thanks for all the responses.