I don't have RODI

[dlms1014]

I don't have a rodi unit set up and I know I get scolded about it every time. Now I need some help! I am going to set up to do a fresh water dip on some new fish that I'm getting in. I have treated tap water that I've been using for my water changes, but I just read something about not using treated tap water, to use rodi or distilled water.
2 part question now

1. Should I use distilled water, or the treated tap water that I have mixed?? Should I add anything to the distilled water?

2. Can I fresh water dip my invertebrates (crabs and snails)??

I plan on doing this tomorrow around lunch time, and everything else is set and ready!
Thanks all!

 

[melypr1985]

1. Should I use distilled water, or the treated tap water that I have mixed?? Should I add anything to the distilled water?

I would use distilled water. Never tap in saltwater

2. Can I fresh water dip my invertebrates (crabs and snails)??

No. No need to do this with inverts anyway.


A fresh water dip is mainly a diagnostic tool. It can be used as a bandaid as well to help a fish last long enough for the meds to kick in. It won't be helpful for everything just FYI

 

[Humblefish]

^^ Agree with above. Just a fun fact about distilled water: While it is fine for FW dipping, copper can be a contaminant found in distilled water. I've seen Randy say that the copper comes from the alloys used in the condensers. So, you probably don't want to chance using distilled in a reef.

 

[Frop]

^^ Agree with above. Just a fun fact about distilled water: While it is fine for FW dipping, copper can be a contaminant found in distilled water. I've seen Randy say that the copper comes from the alloys used in the condensers. So, you probably don't want to chance using distilled in a reef.

Didn't know that. Cool.

 

[Humblefish]

Didn't know that. Cool.

I learned it from one of Randy's posts.

 

[dlms1014]

Nice! So I should go straight distilled for the dip, then to the qt!

 

[dlms1014]

Does distilled water have ph?

 

[dlms1014]

And can I just acclimate the inverts and add them to my main? Or should I throw them in a qt also?

 

[melypr1985]

And can I just acclimate the inverts and add them to my main? Or should I throw them in a qt also?

Inverts should be kept in a fishless QT for 76 days. Shrimp would be kept there until they molt then they can go into the DT.

 

[dlms1014]

Alright, so a lot of reading and little bit of winging...pulled off my first freshwater dip with my five guys that came in today. I did half distilled and half treated tap water in 5 separate bags that were sitting inside the tank and taped to the sides so they couldn't spill.

Purple Pseudovhrocromis
Lawnmower Blenny
Yellow Clown Goby
2 Pajama Cardinals

The cardinals were like, "what the heck!? I'm out!" And then I'm pretty sure they said their goodbyes and swam into the light, then were a little taken back when they came to in some rinky-dink 10 gal qt. But they are all doing very well tonight. Let's cross our fingers for the next 4 weeks!

 

[melypr1985]

Alright, so a lot of reading and little bit of winging...pulled off my first freshwater dip with my five guys that came in today.

Did you find anything in the dip of concern like flukes?

 

[dlms1014]

The pj cards and the blenny I had to pour out into a net cause it was to hard to scoop out, so I didn't see their water, but the other two had clear water when I inspected.

 

[melypr1985]

The pj cards and the blenny I had to pour out into a net cause it was to hard to scoop out, so I didn't see their water, but the other two had clear water when I inspected.

Odds are you would have seen flukes if they were present, either while they were in the dip or after. So that's a good thing

 

[dlms1014]

Testing me huh... gotcha! Lol either way, the two bags didn't have any evidence or specs of any kind. Guess I still need to go the full 4 weeks with them in there though huh? But they want to go home!!

 

[melypr1985]

Guess I still need to go the full 4 weeks with them in there though huh? But they want to go home!!

It only takes one time not doing the full QT to introduce velvet or ick to the tank (among other things). It's not fun to QT, but it's worth it

 

[dlms1014]

Everyone's happy and doing well, but one of the pajamas looks like someone beat him up the first night. No other damage to any fins or anything since then.