Fallow period, then what?

OutsideBrian · Aug 17, 2019

I’ve got a 40breeder cycled so that I can take my fish out and let my Display go fallow for ich.
I understand the display has to be fallow atleast 76 days, correct?
What do I need to do with the fish in the Qt to make sure I don’t inadvertently put ich back in? I am assuming copper treatment but what kind of schedule?
If I put the fish directly into copper will that kill ich before they drop off?

Amboss72 · Aug 17, 2019

I’m not sure I understand?. If you put fish in a tank treated with copper that will kill ich period. If you tank the fish that has ich and place it in a clean quarantine tank it usually only takes 9 days. Many prefer to treat fish for 14 days in copper treated water. After that time simply put the fish back in the display.

BigRich · Aug 17, 2019

OutsideBrian said:
I’ve got a 40breeder cycled so that I can take my fish out and let my Display go fallow for ich.
I understand the display has to be fallow atleast 76 days, correct?
What do I need to do with the fish in the Qt to make sure I don’t inadvertently put ich back in? I am assuming copper treatment but what kind of schedule?
If I put the fish directly into copper will that kill ich before they drop off?

Yes you have to keep your display fish free for 76 days to kill the ich life cycle. If you put any fish in before that 76 days they will most likely get ich again.

Your qt tank can have copper in it already. I would suggest using copper power and predosing copper to 1.0. Once fish are moved in slowly bring the copper level up to 2.0. After 14 days at that level you can move the fish to another sterile qt to monitor until your display tank is ready to go. BTW I recommend using Hanna for checking your copper level.

LAReefer4Life · Aug 17, 2019

Yes run your display aquarium fallow for 76 days minimum. I'd say 12 weeks to be safe.

I'd treat with cupramine. That is personal preference for Ich or velvet.

Read this article that discusses copper treatment.

Best Practices: 4 Step Process to Help Prevent Fish Disease Outbreaks

This article highlights on establishing a 4-step streamlined process that in my experience has proven to be beneficial in preventing fish disease outbreaks.

www.reef2reef.com

OutsideBrian · Aug 17, 2019

I don’t have room for a third “clean” quarantine tank. So my fish will be in the 40B during the fallow period.
Do you think if i treat them for 14 days right away that it would be a good idea to do it again before going back into the display?

LAReefer4Life · Aug 17, 2019

How many fish are you quarantining? Lets start there.

Amboss72 · Aug 17, 2019

I personally don’t think an additional 14 days of copper treatment in your quarantine is necessary. As I’m sure you’re already aware too long of a period in copper isn’t good for your fish. At some point it is known to compromise fish gills, tissue and immune system.

HotRocks · Aug 18, 2019

OutsideBrian said:
I don’t have room for a third “clean” quarantine tank. So my fish will be in the 40B during the fallow period.
Do you think if i treat them for 14 days right away that it would be a good idea to do it again before going back into the display?

If you are using a single QT you will need to run copper for 30 days at the therapuetic level. After the 30 days you can start doing WCs to reduce the copper level and the fish just stay in the 40b until your fallow period on your DT is complete.