upgrading

[SNAKEMANVET]

I am about ready to setup my new 180.Trying to figure out how to
TTM the fish and transfer them to the new tank.All my fish have been together for approximately 6 months.I know there is ich in the tank.I will setup the new tank,which will have 150 lbs of dry rock and 160lbs of sand.Could I just TTM the fish and directly put them into the new tank.The live rock and corals that is in my current tank will stay there for 90 days fishless before adding to my new tank.Does this sound ok. Thanks

 

[snake42490]

By tank transfer them I am assuming you are talking about the tank transfer method and not just transfering the fish from your old tank to the new tank. If you do that you will bring ich to your current set up. The parasites need to come off the fish first.


A few years ago I had to do the same thing, I transfered all of my fish from my display tank and let it go fallow for 4 months. You will need to find a big enough tank to make that happen. I used a spare 90 gallon tank that I had set up. All though I have no switched to Rubbermade Horse trough that you can buy at bomgars. 150 gallon black molded tub that can hold water on it's on. Things work great and are only 45 dollars.

I would have 2 tubs, 2 heaters and 2 power heads or filters.
Prime and Bacteria Product

I would put all of the fish in a giant tub that is big enough for them with new water. If you have ich in the tank I would not use any filter media or anything from the old tank. In the past I have done hypo salinity if saving some money on salt would be of concern. Have some prime and some kind of bacteria product on hand so you can seed the tank. Keep an eye on ammonia especially if it's a smaller tank.

On day 3 (72 hours later) Pull the fish out of tank 1 and place them into the new tank with new water and equipment. When I take them out of the first tank I place my fish in a bucket with the new water. I then pull them out of that and place them in the new container. It might be overkill, but there is always that chance that a parasite could be in the water source at that given time and transfer over to the new tank. Although I highly doubt it given the time needed for them to hatch. Keep fish in tank for 72 hours and transfer back to the original tank.

I always make sure that I clean the other tank right away after I switch fish over so that I have the equipment and everything needed on hand. I used to bleach everything out and clean it crazy, honestly I just rinse it really well with hot water now and make sure everything completely drys out. Make sure equipment is dry for 24 hours before use.

Continue that process switching the fish every 3 days. Depending on size of tank you use, feed lightly and make sure to seed the tank with some kind of bacteria starter and have prime in hand just incase of ammonia spike.

I have also used hypo and had just as good of luck and would save the tear down of equipment and the stress of having to move a group of fish over. It's your call and I think both methods would be successful as long as you do them properly.

Good Luck!

 

[vinhle00]

I wouldn't move them to the display as the final transfer. I know how hard it is but after putting so much time in treatment and fallow period. I would set up a cycled tank for observation and move them there as the final transfer to make sure TTM was successful. Even though, TTM is the best treatment for ich theres always a chance of error. Once you're certain ich was eliminated then move them to the display. Be sure to keep the display fed. without fish in the tank for that long corals and other inverts needs to be fed.

 

[ThRoewer]

I wouldn't move them to the display as the final transfer. I know how hard it is but after putting so much time in treatment and fallow period. I would set up a cycled tank for observation and move them there as the final transfer to make sure TTM was successful. Even though, TTM is the best treatment for ich theres always a chance of error. Once you're certain ich was eliminated then move them to the display. Be sure to keep the display fed. without fish in the tank for that long corals and other inverts needs to be fed.

Since these are established fish they likely have enough immunity to not show symptoms, so a simple observation after TTM will hardly prove anything.
He would either have to add an indicator fish which is guaranteed not immune to ich (freshwater black molly that is adapted to saltwater) and is of course also free of any other transferable disease (this is the tricky part as there are some pathogens and parasites that can thrive in both, FW & SW environments). If using a molly, it has to be one that has never been adapted to saltwater before. It should also be as young as possible.

The other option would be to add an extra layer of safety to TTM by executing it under hyposaline condition (1.008 kg/L).

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

Thanks guys,I can't set up a tank big enough to qt these after TTM.I was planning on changing the containers every 48 hrs instead of 72.All my fish are kinda small,the largest a blue throat trigger at 3.5".got 2 yellow tangs,a sailfin tang bi- color angel,coral beauty,pair of clowns and a pair of manderins.I have 5 buckets,4 heaters and 10 air stones.I have everything to do TTM.So how much of a chance would Ich make it through TTM.I will try hypo during the TTM.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

Ok,I came up with a plan.I have a 40 breeder that I can use as a qt.It will take awhile to get all fish done,but who is in a hurry.I will TTM the tangs and trigger and angels one at a time.After TTM each fish will go into the qt for six weeks,then into dt.May take about 6 months but I don't mind.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

The only fish I am concerned about is my pair of manderins.They do eat flake and mysis in the dt.Just worried they will not eat in TTM.

 

[snorvich]

Ok,I came up with a plan.I have a 40 breeder that I can use as a qt.It will take awhile to get all fish done,but who is in a hurry.I will TTM the tangs and trigger and angels one at a time.After TTM each fish will go into the qt for six weeks,then into dt.May take about 6 months but I don't mind.

Sounds good.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

Thanks,gives me a piece of mind if you say it sounds good Snorvich. What about the manderins,think they will be ok.