Working on setting up QT plan, prophylactic dips with TTM?

[GroktheCube]

I have a 120G that's been up and running for almost 8 weeks. Everything is going well, and I expect to be purchasing my first fish to put into QT sometime in the next month or so.

My general plan was to do tank transfer as prophylaxis against ich as soon as the fish got home, and putting them in a 20 long for observation and de-worming thereafter.

Is there anything else people do for prophylaxis? Dips in formalin between transfers to eliminate any stray tomites and protomonts?

Other than TTM and prazi, is there any prophylactic treatment that is wise to do in QT?

 

[snorvich]

In my opinion no. However a 30 day observation period after TT is very desirable.

 

[GroktheCube]

Thanks. That is what I was planning. I learned very early on in the hobby during my FW days that jumping the gun because a fish is "probably fine" is a great way to kill everything in your tank.

If the fish came from a supplier that kept salinity low (under 1.020) I assume it's best to keep it stable through transfers to minimize stress, and worry about acclimating to full strength in the semi-permanent QT tank?

 

[wooden_reefer]

You have to consider fallow period in DT after treatment to eradicate ich on fish.

If you do TTM, you will still have to support the fish in QT during fallow period in DT.

Do you plan to do 12 weeks of WC?

 

[GroktheCube]

My tank is newly set up, and has never had fish in it. Given its been nearly 8 weeks since setup, by the time the fish is out of QT even if any of the LR happened to have cysts, the tank would be clean.

I just want to KEEP the tank clean

 

[wooden_reefer]

My tank is newly set up, and has never had fish in it. Given its been nearly 8 weeks since setup, by the time the fish is out of QT even if any of the LR happened to have cysts, the tank would be clean.

I just want to KEEP the tank clean

Sorry I got you mixed up with another thread.

But I still urge you to consider the possibility that a ich infestation will occur in your DT if you have not been thorough in your eradication effort.

If an ich outbreak did occur, the TTM method will not serve you well. The TTM method does not prepare you to overcome an ich infestation in DT if it happenned.

 

[GroktheCube]

That's why I plan to QT. TTM seems like it is by far the most gentle and easiest to execute prophylaxis against ich. I'm fairly practiced with sterile technique, and should be able to manage avoid cross contamination fairly easily. Even if I screw it up, a month in QT afterwards should be enough to spot anything if its present.

An outbreak in an already full tank would be a massive pain, so I'd like to avoid it if at all possible. I'm a bit confused about what you mean by it not preparing me to overcome an infestation in the DT. Do you mean it would be less practical if I needed to treat several large fish at once?

 

[snorvich]

That's why I plan to QT. TTM seems like it is by far the most gentle and easiest to execute prophylaxis against ich. I'm fairly practiced with sterile technique, and should be able to manage avoid cross contamination fairly easily. Even if I screw it up, a month in QT afterwards should be enough to spot anything if its present.

An outbreak in an already full tank would be a massive pain, so I'd like to avoid it if at all possible. I'm a bit confused about what you mean by it not preparing me to overcome an infestation in the DT. Do you mean it would be less practical if I needed to treat several large fish at once?

Exactly. Well thought out strategy.

 

[wooden_reefer]

"That's why I plan to QT. TTM seems like it is by far the most gentle and easiest to execute prophylaxis against ich. "


Why do you think so? What is so gentle and easy about TTM? In fact, I think TTM is harsh and a lot of work.

I think TTM should only be used for specific reasons, not as the general first choice.

Last, if a ich outbreak does happen despite all effort, how does TTM help you to overcome an ich infestation in DT?

 

[snorvich]

"That's why I plan to QT. TTM seems like it is by far the most gentle and easiest to execute prophylaxis against ich. "


Why do you think so? What is so gentle and easy about TTM? In fact, I think TTM is harsh and a lot of work.

I think TTM should only be used for specific reasons, not as the general first choice.

Last, if a ich outbreak does happen despite all effort, how does TTM help you to overcome an ich infestation in DT?

If you do not like it, then, very simply, don't use it.

 

[GroktheCube]

"That's why I plan to QT. TTM seems like it is by far the most gentle and easiest to execute prophylaxis against ich. "


Why do you think so? What is so gentle and easy about TTM? In fact, I think TTM is harsh and a lot of work.

I think TTM should only be used for specific reasons, not as the general first choice.

Last, if a ich outbreak does happen despite all effort, how does TTM help you to overcome an ich infestation in DT?

It seems gentle because it does not involve using medications that often have harsh side effects, does not preclude the use of ammonia detoxifiers like prime, and allows for a short duration of treatment. It seems easy because it only involves maintaining water quality, using appropriate sterile technique during transfers, and spending 30 minutes or so every 3 days to sterilize used equipment. I can also have a semi-permanent QT set up with live rock and sand without worrying about copper killing everything in it, and rendering it all unusable with copper intolerant organisms. That seems like a lot less work than a lengthy course of medication that requires daily monitoring and adjustment. I can see how TTM might seem laborious and delicate at first glance, but based on past experiences it appears far more manageable than a lengthy course of copper.

As for a DT outbreak, I intend to keep a working biofilter up and running in a semi-permanent QT. The exact course of action would likely depend on the circumstances, the size of the fish and how certain I was of the diagnosis. If I was not 100% sure it was Ich, obviously I'd throw all the fish in a hospital, nuke it with copper, and hope for the best. Most likely I would try to perform lots of WCs to keep the water clean enough. If I was sure that it was ich, I'd probably opt to use TTM to treat the illness, and move everyone into a semi-permanent QT after that was done.

What issues do you see with TTM?