Anyone tried this new tank transfer method?

[RobB'z Reef]

Hi mate,

The above schedule is a quarantine method called the tank transfer method which makes use of two quarantine tanks that are seperate from your main display. It is proven to kill ich. Under normal circumstances a 'transfer' is done every 72 hours. The 'new' method calls for transfers initially at 36 hours which has seemingly also been proven to disrupt the life cycle of marine velvet.

I haven't tried it and am interested to hear from anyone who might have tried it.

Here's a quick view of my approach to this.

 

[RobB'z Reef]

I agree. I'm doing a TTM this time, but then I'm probably going to set one up with a seeded sponge from my DT to QT with copper and use the the other for an invert 76 day QT. I like how fast I can QT with TTM, but it is a lot more work.

And to your point earlier Rob, I get that it's all about risk management, but technically the TTM could be done in even fewer days. I may just be a bit more risk tolerant.

Fair enough! I'm excited about dialing this in and the potential it offers. I've done the copper route and TTM appeals to me for a lot of reasons. I'll sure I've yet to learn a lot more about this as I repeat the process.

 

[BurtMacklin]

Here's a quick view of my approach to this.

A little more risk tolerant there keeping them within 10', Rob? Haha

 

[RobB'z Reef]

A little more risk tolerant there keeping them within 10', Rob? Haha

Lol 100% I may be with you in the risk tolerance department. With the full cover tops and dividers I'm not worried about transmission personally. Time will tell on that one. The next tanks up are not setup before I turn off the air pumps etc.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I did this tiny baby Purple Tang in just glass bowls, and kept him moving every 2 days to stay ahead of the Ich and ammonia. Hadn’t heard about the schedule for Velvet, I must say. Sounds interesting. (Note: 3 glass bowls so one is always drying out from sterilization, ready to be used next in sequence. Different brand new air stone and piece of tubing used at each transfer— it’s cheap! The Tang is now full grown, living in my DT.)

 

[Shanet]

I have used this method 3 times (no H2O2)(all of my fish) to stock a 240g. Anthias, Tangs, Angels, Hawkfish, only lost one small anthia (think it was bullied to death). I have a Ick & velvet free tank now, I will use this method from now on. The down side is it uses a lot of water and is a bit stressful to the fish because of the number of transfers. I would recommend it to anyone.

 

[BurtMacklin]

I have used this method 3 times (no H2O2)(all of my fish) to stock a 240g. Anthias, Tangs, Angels, Hawkfish, only lost one small anthia (think it was bullied to death). I have a Ick & velvet free tank now, I will use this method from now on. The down side is it uses a lot of water and is a bit stressful to the fish because of the number of transfers. I would recommend it to anyone.

Did you observe after the 2 weeks of TTM or go straight to your DT?

 

[Shanet]

No observation period, just straight to the DT.

 

[Tower]

I'm on day 1 of this protocol with two Benggai Cardinals right now and planning to dose Prazi at day 3 & 9 (24 hrs before a transfer). People have recommended keeping the fish in a QT for observation for an additional two weeks after QT, but that used to be in part to monitor for Velvet. I know there are other bacterial infections that this TTM will not cover, but is the 2 week observation really necessary?

Hey Burt,

Like you, this will be my first time using this method so I personally don't have any expertise on it. That said, everything I read on the Humblefish site has me convinced it's a good idea to wait the additional time.

As they say, nothing good ever happens quickly in reef keeping

 

[Tower]

I just finished a run with this last week. I did use H2O2 between day 1 and 2 and then between 5 and 7. I proactively dosed Prazi thru the last two phases (6 days total). It's really recommended to use H2O2 as the benefits are shown to work and there really isn't any negative effects on the fish. Prazi is totally optional and not for treating ich or velvet of course. I found the experience to be very educational and consider it a success for my first attempt. I'll be running another batch of fish through in late March. I ran a yellow tang, 3 bangi cardinals, a pajama cardinal and a lawn mower Blenny.

Thanks Rob, appreciate that

 

[BurtMacklin]

Hey Burt,

Like you, this will be my first time using this method so I personally don't have any expertise on it. That said, everything I read on the Humblefish site has me convinced it's a good idea to wait the additional time.

As they say, nothing good ever happens quickly in reef keeping

I agree that patience in needed in the hobby, but sometimes these protocols are overly cautious. We also have people on this forum who have been disease free for 20 years without ever doing a QT. It really comes down to your risk tolerance and considering you could really do a TTM quarantine in 7 days, I'll be moving them to my DT after these 12 days.

 

[Tower]

I agree that patience in needed in the hobby, but sometimes these protocols are overly cautious. We also have people on this forum who have been disease free for 20 years without ever doing a QT. It really comes down to your risk tolerance and considering you could really do a TTM quarantine in 7 days, I'll be moving them to my DT after these 12 days.

Couldn't agree more Burt. I suffered a serious outbreak of ich when I was last in the hobby which has left me feeling fairly risk averse. As such I'll be playing it as safe as possible. The fact that we're here having this conversation puts us in a minority group in the first place so credit to you and everyone else who has input on this thread. We're in a league of our own!

 

[Scape]

I've tried it and now use it as a quarintine method, works everytime 100% success rate for me, quarintined over 40 fish this way never had a problem super easy and always works! All thanks to humble fish, true reefing legend!

 

[JumboShrimp]

(For those thinking of adding Prazi to the TTM regimen, you might as well go API General Cure instead; it’s Prazi + Metro. You’ll get a little broader protection.)

 

[RobB'z Reef]

(For those thinking of adding Prazi to the TTM regimen, you might as well go API General Cure instead; it’s Prazi + Metro. You’ll get a little broader protection.)

I just had this conversation with a local reefer and he convinced me as well for that exact reason. Since I already have some on hand I'm gonna try it next round. Great input!

 

[Tower]

I've tried it and now use it as a quarintine method, works everytime 100% success rate for me, quarintined over 40 fish this way never had a problem super easy and always works! All thanks to humble fish, true reefing legend!

Hey Scape,

Thanks, just to clarify - you're using the new method without H202?

 

[Biff0rz]

I used this method exclusively for all my fish. Works great!

I suggest the petco 10g tanks and fill them 3/4 of the way up.

 

[BurtMacklin]

I used this method exclusively for all my fish. Works great!

I suggest the petco 10g tanks and fill them 3/4 of the way up.

Agreed! I picked up two 10 gallon tanks for $50. Can't beat it for a brand new tank, light, and lid. I did see some $10 10 gallon tanks on my local Craigslist and OfferUp, but for a QT, I'd rather know what I'm starting with.

 

[Biff0rz]

Agreed! I picked up two 10 gallon tanks for $50. Can't beat it for a brand new tank, light, and lid. I did see some $10 10 gallon tanks on my local Craigslist and OfferUp, but for a QT, I'd rather know what I'm starting with.

I got the $10 / 10g tanks from petco, I had lids. So those plus a descent heater (don't buy cheap ones, don't ask me how I know) makes a cheap setup. I have 4 tanks that I rotate because the 36hrs is quick and... I'm lazy.

 

[BurtMacklin]

I got the $10 / 10g tanks from petco, I had lids. So those plus a descent heater (don't buy cheap ones, don't ask me how I know) makes a cheap setup. I have 4 tanks that I rotate because the 36hrs is quick and... I'm lazy.

An Inkbird temperature controller is invaluable.