Do I need a fallow period, or not?

NigeltheBold · Sep 16, 2020

So, a few weeks ago I bought a powder blue tang (risky, I know) for my reef tank. I didn't have my quarantine tank set up when he was delivered (bad idea, I know) so I put him in the display tank and kept a very close eye on him. Meanwhile, I was setting up my quarantine tank anyway. A few days later I noticed some very small white spots/powdery spots on him, and got him out of the tank immediately. I put him in the quarantine tank and treated with copper, but I was too late. He died after a few more days. It might have actually had more to do with ammonia and nitrate (due to a short cycle of the QT). But anyway, it died.

So, I'm wondering if I need to do a fallow period in the display tank. All of the other fish are fine. I didn't see any signs of ich or velvet on them at any time. But I know some fish develop an immunity to those parasites. There are five fish in the tank: a flame angel, ocellaris clown, spotted mandarin, copperband butterfly, and mystery wrasse. There are also some snails, crabs, a maxima clam and some coral frags. I have a UV sterilizer, but I'm not sure if that helps in this situation.

Do I need to remove all of the fish and go fallow for 8 weeks? Should I do a preventative treatment with Kick Ich and/or Rally in the DT? Or should I just quarantine any new fish and treat them with copper prior to adding them to the DT?

Dbichler · Sep 16, 2020

Fallow and treat other fish unfortunately if you want to keep parasite free or don’t if your going with management

Jay Hemdal · Sep 16, 2020

Be sure you run your UV 24/7 and that the bulb is within its hours. The copperband is likely where you are going to see ich pop back up (if it even does). I would not pull the fish in the absence of any symptoms, but keep the QT biofilter active in case you need it.
Jay

NigeltheBold · Sep 19, 2020

I normally keep my UV sterilizer in the sump. Would it be better to put it in the main tank for the time being? Bulb is new and I run it 24/7.

Jay Hemdal · Sep 19, 2020

NigeltheBold said:
I normally keep my UV sterilizer in the sump. Would it be better to put it in the main tank for the time being? Bulb is new and I run it 24/7.

Side stream on the tank itself is more effective than side stream in the sump. Just be sure your plumbing is solid, you don’t want to change your configuration, only to have something let go and cause a flood!

Jay