Going Fallow - 6 weeks or 76 days?

[Deonne]

I just had an outbreak of velvet so im going to go fallow to clear that up (6 weeks), but wondering if I should do the full 76 days for ich? I have never seen ich in the tank, however I have also not been QTing my new fish (so maybe it just dormant)... do you think its necessary to do the full 76 days?

Also, I do not have the means (or desire) to QT coral ... so is ich eradication even possible at the end of the day?

thanks in advance

 

[hdsoftail1065]

I went through velvet as well, not knowing if ich was also introduced I went the 76 (actually a little longer) just to be on the safe side.

 

[HotRocks]

I would go the 76 days.

If you are going to continue to introduce coral that hasn't been kept fallow, it may be pointless.

 

[Brew12]

Agreed, without quarantine, re-introduction is almost inevitable. I would worry less about going fallow and more about make stocking decisions based on an ich/velvet managed system. Keep it low aggression, and stick with fish that have thicker slime coats. The goal is great nutrition and low stress.

 

[Deonne]

Agreed, without quarantine, re-introduction is almost inevitable. I would worry less about going fallow and more about make stocking decisions based on an ich/velvet managed system. Keep it low aggression, and stick with fish that have thicker slime coats. The goal is great nutrition and low stress.

Thanks all. Should I at least do the 6 weeks to starve out velvet? I kept a happy tank (clowns, cardinal, gramma, goby, dwarf angel) in what I assume had ich, but the velvet took down even my clowns.

On that note, what would you consider to be more resistant fish, other than clowns? I guess tangs are out of the question.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Yes.... I recommend fallow for a minimum of 6 weeks...If you infact had velvet and choose not to go fallow chances are you will loose your new fish as well. I personally wouldn't risk it. Optimum time in my opinion would be the 76 days.

 

[Brew12]

Thanks all. Should I at least do the 6 weeks to starve out velvet? I kept a happy tank (clowns, cardinal, gramma, goby, dwarf angel) in what I assume had ich, but the velvet took down even my clowns.

On that note, what would you consider to be more resistant fish, other than clowns? I guess tangs are out of the question.

The problem was likely the dwarf angel. You can think of a fish like that as having the possibility to being a host to breed massive numbers of parasites. It was likely the fish that allowed enough parasites to be produced to weaken the immunity of the other fish. Once that happens, it cascades very quickly.

And that isn't to say that you can't keep a dwarf angel in a tank with ich and/or velvet. You do have to be that much better at feeding healthy and reducing stress with a fish like that, or a tang, in your system.

 

[Deonne]

The problem was likely the dwarf angel. You can think of a fish like that as having the possibility to being a host to breed massive numbers of parasites. It was likely the fish that allowed enough parasites to be produced to weaken the immunity of the other fish. Once that happens, it cascades very quickly.

And that isn't to say that you can't keep a dwarf angel in a tank with ich and/or velvet. You do have to be that much better at feeding healthy and reducing stress with a fish like that, or a tang, in your system.

Interesting. Well in the future I will make sure to QT all new fish.

Are angels known for that? Any other fish to be concerned about?

Thanks

 

[Deonne]

Yes.... I recommend fallow for a minimum of 6 weeks...If you infact had velvet and choose not to go fallow chances are you will loose your new fish as well. I personally wouldn't risk it. Optimum time in my opinion would be the 76 days.

Thanks. I’ll take that advice

 

[Brew12]

Interesting. Well in the future I will make sure to QT all new fish.

Are angels known for that? Any other fish to be concerned about?

Thanks

Any fish that are known for swimming longer distances tend to have thinner slime coats. Instead of having to fend off parasites, they swim away from where they reproduce. Kole tangs are one of the few tangs that can hover around a single spot on the reef eating algae, so they have a better resistance. Some wrasses will do better than others. The best you can do is research each fish you are interested in and see what their swimming habits are.

 

[JumboShrimp]

;Vomit;Vomit;Vomit

I made Day 60 5-days ago. It’s hard (emotionally— looking at QTs filled with healthy, ready-to-go fish), but I’m holding out for December 7th... 76 days. My 3rd time going fallow. Uggg! ;Vomit

 

[4FordFamily]

Angels struggle comparatively badly with velvet than other fish. Tangs as well. Quarantine is best practice, particularly if these are on your stocklist.

 

[Deonne]

Angels struggle comparatively badly with velvet than other fish. Tangs as well. Quarantine is best practice, particularly if these are on your stocklist.

Thanks all. Sounds like a plan. Now to catch my gobies ...

(Oops, triple post)