Does my quarantine procedure sound good

[ReefHog]

Back in March I lost 9 of 12 fish to Velvet. The three surviving fish were treated with CP and GC then observed for fallow period with black molly. All went good with those three and after 82 days two are back in DT. I'm not putting the Niger back in reef. Will be setting up separate FOWLR for him over summer. So now it's time to start repopulating DT. Here is what I am planning. I have a 20 gallon filled with SW at 1.017 S.G. (that's what my lfs maintains) I have it heated to 77 degrees and added 1000 mg of Chloroquine Phosphate which should bring the level to 50mg/gal. I will use a 10 gallon QT that I can fill from the 20 gallon. leaving me 10 pre-treated gallons reserve for water changes if necessary. My plan is to fresh water dip the new 1 or 2 fish for 5 minutes. If no sign of flukes, I will add the fish to the QT filled with water from the 20 gallon dosed with CP. After 14 days the fish will be transferred to a sterile QT with mature filter and treat with GC for 14 days. If all goes well, the fish will go into observation for two weeks then into the DT.
If I notice flukes after FWD, should I flip treatment with GC first followed by CP? If I notice any signs of infection I have NFG as well as other ABX on hand. Would I treat with the CP? I have RRR at my disposal also. Would a preventive dip/bath in RRR be necessary if the fish look to be in good shape? Thanks for any input. It is much appreciated.

 

[ngoodermuth]

The general cure only needs to be two doses, 5-7 days apart. The CP would cover the big 4 - ich, velvet, brook, uronema. So, the GC is only there for flukes at that point.

Keep in mind, some fish do NOT tolerate CP. Wrasses, anthias, and hippo tangs... in particular. So for those, copper would be the alternative.

Here is the chart showing which fish are sensitive to what treatments:
Fish and Treatment Guidelines (with chart)
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sh...-Guidelines-(with-chart).283450/&share_type=t


You can add metroplex to your copper treatment, and a RRR bath prior to introduction... to cover brook/uronema in addition to copper for ich/velvet.

 

[ngoodermuth]

And yes, if you see flukes in the FWD you can flip treatments... GC then CP or copper, just remember you’ll want to break down that QT, sterilize, and refill so that you still have somewhere (parasite free) to transfer them out of copper or CP for 2-3 weeks observation.

 

[ReefHog]

I have two 10 gal QT/HT tanks which I breakdown and disinfect each time so there is always a sterile tank for the transfer. I don't want to keep the fish in medication any longer than necessary (especially if I were to use copper, which i'm not this round) which is why I use two tanks. I keep a 20 gallon observation tank going all the time with two mollies that the fish will go in after all treatment until they go into the DT. I plan on getting fish that are ok with CP. It sounds like since i'm using CP, I can pass on the RRR bath. If in the future I QT wrasses, Hippo etc, I will add the RRR prior to copper power. As always, Thank You

 

[artieg1]

Personally, I would add the CP directly to the untreated QT water *after* observation of at least a week. You want to confirm that they are eating enthusiastically and have recovered somewhat from stress before starting CP. Otherwise, you won't know if any appetite changes are due to CP or not. Then use the pre-made CP water for your water changes.

 

[ngoodermuth]

Personally, I would add the CP directly to the untreated QT water *after* observation of at least a week. You want to confirm that they are eating enthusiastically and have recovered somewhat from stress before starting CP. Otherwise, you won't know if any appetite changes are due to CP or not. Then use the pre-made CP water for your water changes.

I do this too, myself. But, I know others here that treat from day 1.

I like to give a few days to a week to get them acclimated and eating, but I’m home all day and observing very closely for symptoms of parasites.

 

[ReefHog]

I make sure a fish is eating aggressively at lfs before purchase. I’ve treated five fish with CP so far and have not experienced any hunger strikes. Copper is another story. Still it’s a good point I will take into consideration. I keep my QT in kitchen so it’s walked by endlessly all day. I find the ongoing activity outside the tank makes the fish less skittish and less shy when it comes to feeding.