Ich invert QT timeline

davidcalgary29 · Feb 14, 2021

My RSM 250 is in an ugly algae stage and I'd like to purchase a couple of tuxedo urchins to keep it in check. Am I correct that ich cannot encyst in them and that they'll be safe to be put in the DT with a bath in DT water?

I also chanced upon a handy invert QT table a few days ago (which suggested that some have a 16 day period), and then lost it (after purging my history). Does anyone have a link?

lagatbezan · Feb 14, 2021

Lots of good info here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/coral-invert-quarantine-time-frames.334584/

Jay Hemdal · Feb 14, 2021

Any wet object can act as a fomite and transport protozoans when moved to a new system... hands, tank tools, urchins, anything that carries water with it has that potential. The risk is based on how much water is moved and how active the protozoan was in the origin tank.
I always hold invertebrates for 30 to 45 days if they came from a system with possibly infected fish in it.
Jay

davidcalgary29 · Feb 14, 2021

And this is how and why people start invert QT tanks. Got it! I've got a clam coming, though, and I hope QT doesn't kill it. I've got to give it a substrate, so I guess it's the full 45 (or 76 day) wait time for the inmates...

Jay Hemdal · Feb 15, 2021

davidcalgary29 said:
And this is how and why people start invert QT tanks. Got it! I've got a clam coming, though, and I hope QT doesn't kill it. I've got to give it a substrate, so I guess it's the full 45 (or 76 day) wait time for the inmates...

That's the trick isn't it? You need to have an invertebrate holding system that is suitable to house the inverts. I use a coral propagation tray for this use - I just don't move any frags in or out while I'm letting the new inverts "cool their heels". I use 45 days and have never had an issue....

Jay

davidcalgary29 · Feb 15, 2021

Jay Hemdal said:
That's the trick isn't it? You need to have an invertebrate holding system that is suitable to house the inverts. I use a coral propagation tray for this use - I just don't move any frags in or out while I'm letting the new inverts "cool their heels". I use 45 days and have never had an issue....

Jay

Started up my invert QT pen. Do you think I'm at risk of introducing pathogens if I've given equipment a bleach bath and let it dry for a few days before putting them in?

Jay Hemdal · Feb 15, 2021

davidcalgary29 said:
Started up my invert QT pen. Do you think I'm at risk of introducing pathogens if I've given equipment a bleach bath and let it dry for a few days before putting them in?

Depends on the bleach concentration. I use a 1:10 solution. Be sure to only use regular bleach, not something with perfume added. I get men from GFS. Be sure to rinse everything off with tap water after drying, you need to be absolutely certain that there is no bleach residue on the items.
Jay

davidcalgary29 · Feb 15, 2021

Jay Hemdal said:
Depends on the bleach concentration. I use a 1:10 solution. Be sure to only use regular bleach, not something with perfume added. I get men from GFS. Be sure to rinse everything off with tap water after drying, you need to be absolutely certain that there is no bleach residue on the items.
Jay

Is there anything better to use than bleach if you have to share tools between tanks? The obvious answer is not to share tools between tanks, but Amazon takes time (a lot of time) to deliver up here.

Jay Hemdal · Feb 15, 2021

davidcalgary29 said:
Is there anything better to use than bleach if you have to share tools between tanks? The obvious answer is not to share tools between tanks, but Amazon takes time (a lot of time) to deliver up here.

There are a number of disinfectants, but bleach is the one I have the best dosage for. I’m working on testing hydrogen peroxide, as it is much easier to rinse off, but I don’t have a dose for it yet.
I don’t like bleach, it corrodes metal and is tough to rinse off....
Jay

zalick · Feb 15, 2021

Jay Hemdal said:
. . .
I always hold invertebrates for 30 to 45 days if they came from a system with possibly infected fish in it.
Jay

What do you recommend for inverts taken straight from ocean and kept in fishless system?

davidcalgary29 · Feb 15, 2021

lagatbezan said:
Lots of good info here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/coral-invert-quarantine-time-frames.334584/

That's it, thanks! I guess I can disregard those timelines, though, given Jay's general 45 day benchmark. I'm going to give it a go with a hippopus clam and other assorted inverts at the beginning of march, and the upstairs DT will just have to be a sea of algae until the middle of April.

Jay Hemdal · Feb 15, 2021

zalick said:
What do you recommend for inverts taken straight from ocean and kept in fishless system?

Still 45 days, especially if the inverts came from a bay. If they came off a reef and never got put in a tank with fish, then I wouldn’t be as concerned.
Jay