150g Fallow Tank

[Softpaws]

Hey all,

I'm running a 150g reef tank. I started noticing ick on the fins of my Blue Hippo and my Sailfin.
I understood what I had to do, and it was a benefit because my first large order of corals came in a few days later.

Regardless, I removed all my fish, lost the Sailfin and Hippo in my copper treatment quarantine. I have 12 other fish being treated with copper as well from the tank. My quarantine is just a large plastic tote and my Keyhole Angel is under a "cage" so he doesn't pick on the other fish.

It's been about 45 days running fallow. I don't want to manage ick as long as I can help it. Should I honestly wait 72 days? Also, is this a good time to buy fish from my LFS and put them in my quarantine? Wouldn't that be a good thing to purchase now, and treat the new fish with my other fish?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Ich is actually 76 days, and yes if you buy the fish now and treat in copper for 30 days, you should be close to when fish can be reintroduced into your system

 

[Softpaws]

Ich is actually 76 days, and yes if you buy the fish now and treat in copper for 30 days, you should be close to when fish can be reintroduced into your system

Awesome! Now, is there anything I should do with my display while it's fallow? I have softies, mushroosm, and a couple sps...

 

[Crabs McJones]

Awesome! Now, is there anything I should do with my display while it's fallow? I have softies, mushroosm, and a couple sps...

Ghost feed to keep nutrient levels up and your bacteria colony fed. I've just been feeding fish food every couple days. I'm almost done with my fallow period lol

 

[Softpaws]

Ghost feed to keep nutrient levels up and your bacteria colony fed. I've just been feeding fish food every couple days. I'm almost done with my fallow period lol

Okay cool. I've been doing that a bit. I've been using reef chili and that's about it. My shrimp I've been hand feeding a bit. This fallow business sure tests my patience.

 

[LAReefer4Life]

I just did the same thing 6 weeks back. Went 80 days just to be safe. Most strains die off under 60 days but there is one strain during trials the lasted 72 days. This test was held in much cooler conditions than our aquariums but you just never know what strain you're dealing with. Trust me you will have peace of mind you want if you wait, otherwise you'll always be on egg shells.