I screwed up....

[Cabo31]

I set up Red Sea reefer 250 a little over three months ago. I am new to this hobby, this is only my second tank. The first was a IM 10 gallon. We have had this tank going for over a year with success. I cycled the new tank, slowly adding corals and fish. I only purchased fish from stores that I know quarantine there fish due to the act that I do not have a quarantine tank myself(big mistake!). The very last fish I was adding to the tank must have introduced what I feel in marine velvet to the tank. In three days I have lost 70% on my fish.
Here is my question, my plan is to obviously get the remaining fish out of the tank and into a quarantine tank ASAP. That being said, should I let the tank go through a fallow (no fish) period for the 72 days or should I get corals out, empty tank, bleach rocks and start completely over from scratch.
I think it would be quicker and maybe better in the long run to start over. Speeding up the process to reintroducing the fish back into the tank( of coarse after it cycles).
Unfortunately, my stupidity caused fish there lives. I feel really bad about this and want to do it right this time.
Thoughts, opinions, any help is appreciated.

 

[NeptuneGarden]

I would start from scratch with something as ugly as velvet......

 

[ScottMyers123]

Either way would be fine. Just depends on how long you are willing to wait. I'm not sure how long it would take to bleach rock and cure it. If you have a QT already set up the cheepest route will be to go fallow for 72 days.

 

[Sabellafella]

I set up Red Sea reefer 250 a little over three months ago. I am new to this hobby, this is only my second tank. The first was a IM 10 gallon. We have had this tank going for over a year with success. I cycled the new tank, slowly adding corals and fish. I only purchased fish from stores that I know quarantine there fish due to the act that I do not have a quarantine tank myself(big mistake!). The very last fish I was adding to the tank must have introduced what I feel in marine velvet to the tank. In three days I have lost 70% on my fish.
Here is my question, my plan is to obviously get the remaining fish out of the tank and into a quarantine tank ASAP. That being said, should I let the tank go through a fallow (no fish) period for the 72 days or should I get corals out, empty tank, bleach rocks and start completely over from scratch.
I think it would be quicker and maybe better in the long run to start over. Speeding up the process to reintroducing the fish back into the tank( of coarse after it cycles).
Unfortunately, my stupidity caused fish there lives. I feel really bad about this and want to do it right this time.
Thoughts, opinions, any help is appreciated.

Its up to you, everyone makes mistakes and patients + no qt is deffinitly the top of the list lolol. The remaining fish, if there in good health i would give them to your lfs or someone who can house them for you. Then yes you can start over, clean slate. You could also fallow the tank, set up a qt and keep the ball rolling. Either way its going to take some time so w.es going to be easier for you. Regardless your going to have to setup a qt or atleast have your lfs do it for you

 

[melypr1985]

I'm sorry for the troubles and loss. But.... I want to stop you right here....

I think it would be quicker and maybe better in the long run to start over. Speeding up the process to reintroducing the fish back into the tank( of coarse after it cycles).

You can't rush these things. It's never a good idea to speed things up. Dont take the whole thing down. You'll do fine by going fallow. 6 weeks is the fallow period for velvet, but I would absolutely suggest going fallow for the full 76 days just to be positive there is nothing left to feed on your fish. Take it slow, and have patience.

 

[Cabo31]

I am assuming it was velvet by everything I read and how quickly it took the fish. Saying that, if I do start over, should I throw out the sand, bleach the rocks? If I buy the nitrifying bacteria wouldn't I be able to add one of my fish within a month(after I quarantine my fish for the 28 days) and add the rest back slowly?

 

[Humblefish]

I am assuming it was velvet by everything I read and how quickly it took the fish. Saying that, if I do start over, should I throw out the sand, bleach the rocks? If I buy the nitrifying bacteria wouldn't I be able to add one of my fish within a month(after I quarantine my fish for the 28 days) and add the rest back slowly?

Running Chlorine (60 mg/L) thru the system for 24 hours will kill all life, including any lingering diseases. Shortly thereafter the Chlorine completely evaporates and you are basically left with an uncycled tank to start over with.

 

[reynaldoramon]

Uh...never thought of that. If you're gonna take it down...that masks complete sense. Easy and thorough.