Getting chaeto from another tank: main concerns and how to mitigate risks

[VJV]

Hi,

I guess the title says it all really. Thinking about getting a bunch of chaeto from my LFS display tank and would like to know your opinions on:

1) is it possible that coral parasites (AEFW, MEN,..) come with the chaeto? If yes, would a good rinse be an effective preventative method or should I quarantine the algae for a month or more?

2) aiptasia/nuisance algae: again, would a good rinse be enough to mitigate the risk of introducing these pest organisms?

3) will Chaeto withstand a fresh water dip/rinse and would this also be an effective way to minimize potential hitchhikers?

Many thanks in advance

 

[C_AWOL]

You can dip the chaeto in coral RX to remove/alleviate the amount of parasites on it and then qt it for a minimum of 16 days to see if theres any remaining unwanted hitch hikers that will be there and allow velvet and other diseases to go through their normal life cycle before introducing it into your system

 

[VJV]

Never tried to dip Chaeto in Coral RX. Does it handle it well?

 

[Redfoxtang]

Never tried dipping it with meds. But I have done a freshwater dip and that’s what did it for me.

 

[VJV]

I am thinking about putting the Chaeto in a empty salt bucket with a submersible grow light (TUNZE) and an airline to provide circulation. Will do 100% water changes weekly with tank water so that the Chaeto has nutrients to grow (and perhaps a little skimmate for good measure). Will also perform weekly fresh water dips.Re Ich if a Trophont comes in with the water after 3-7 days it will encyst and should at least take another 30 days before the Tomites hatch and go looking for a host. I believe with a vigorous rinse in RO before putting it in the bucket should deal with a potential free swimming Trophont and I do not believe these can encyst in the algae itself, given they require a hard substrate to do so. However, I am still not sure whether or not I run the risk of getting some AEFW or MEN's, although it would be strange for these to come with Chaeto given they would e living in a placer where they do not have access to food...???

 

[C_AWOL]

I've done it myself with dips for both dragons breath and chaeto. Both held up without any issues under normal dip instructions (10 mins with 30 drops in 1 g of tank water). Tossed them both into a qt tank with a simple hob and light and then rinsed it out again before adding it to the display refuge 16 days later.
You can reference all the info here as well: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/coral-invert-quarantine-time-frames.334584/

 

[hotdrop]

Moving algee from on tank to another is Always risky. Just don’t do it unless you really trust the tank owner. Pay Agee barn their 25 bux and get clean stuff and while you are at it buy some slower growing algee for when you realize cheto is too effective and your low nutrient numbers are causing slow growth and other problems

 

[VJV]

No algae barn in Europe I’m afraid...