Lost all my fish except for final 3. Some questions?

[Steven Goff]

After what I believe was velvet in the tank, I have only 3 fish left. 1 clown that was caught and is hospital tank now (copper treatment). I had 3 clowns in hospital tank and I was so worried about catching others that 2 clowns died last night in the QT tank. I believe I should have separated them from the one who is still alive (one showed signs of aggression). But I don't know if they just didn't survive the treatment. I still have 2 fish left in tank - a diamond goby (I think I will catch him in a trap, I came so close last night) And a lawnmower blenny that looks impossible to catch. Now my questions:

1. I'm going to go fallow as soon as I catch the last fish - would it hurt to put more inverts and some frags in the tank and then go fallow? (I'm thinking I don't have to QT them if I do that?)

2. I should QT all frags and inverts to avoid any possibility of something like this happening again?

3. Or I could just go with a no fish, inverts and coral tank?

4. Until I catch the last fish the DT will have velvet or whatever parasite killed the fish?

4. Or just throw in towel and say this hobby has beat me!

In my opinion, not QT is like playing Russian roulette with your tank. So if I continue I will never put something in my tank that has not been in QT.

 

[Crabs McJones]

So sorry this happened but to answer your questions
1. You can add more inverts and coral, but to be safe your 76 day fallow period restarts every time you add something.
2. once there are no fish in the tank, it's considered fallow, which once it reaches the 76 days all traces of the parasites will have died out
4. Until the fish is removed from the infected tank and put into copper, yes there is high risk the fish will succumb to the parasite.
4b) Never throw in the towel, were all here to help and we'll get you through this I had a run in with velvet for the first time about 3 or 4 months ago. Moved everyone over to a copper qt and let the tank sit fallow for 76 days. I'll tell you right out the gate, that 76 day fallow period was hard. Just make sure you're ghost feeding the display tank to keep nutrient levels up and to keep your inverts fed.

 

[Steven Goff]

So sorry this happened but to answer your questions
1. You can add more inverts and coral, but to be safe your 76 day fallow period restarts every time you add something.
2. once there are no fish in the tank, it's considered fallow, which once it reaches the 76 days all traces of the parasites will have died out
4. Until the fish is removed from the infected tank and put into copper, yes there is high risk the fish will succumb to the parasite.
4b) Never throw in the towel, were all here to help and we'll get you through this I had a run in with velvet for the first time about 3 or 4 months ago. Moved everyone over to a copper qt and let the tank sit fallow for 76 days. I'll tell you right out the gate, that 76 day fallow period was hard. Just make sure you're ghost feeding the display tank to keep nutrient levels up and to keep your inverts fed.

Yes - I understand the fallow period begins when the last fish is caught and removed or when the last frag/invert was placed in tank.

Can you help me with the term ghost feeding - I assume you mean food for the inverts. But how much food and what type? Ive been feeding the inverts brine shrimp

 

[Crabs McJones]

Yes - I understand the fallow period begins when the last fish is caught and removed or when the last frag/invert was placed in tank.

Can you help me with the term ghost feeding - I assume you mean food for the inverts. But how much food and what type? Ive been feeding the inverts brine shrimp

Yup, food for the inverts and to keep your nitrate and phosphate levels from dropping to 0. Just feed what you normally would (at a smaller amount) every couple of days.

 

[roberthu526]

How big is the tank? It's maybe worth the money to invest in a quality UV so this never happens again. You may have to spend another $300 to $600 but it's a once for all solution besides annual lamp replacement cost which is around $60 for most units. Considering how much the fish and coral cost, the cost of a UV is not that crazy.

 

[Steven Goff]

How big is the tank? It's maybe worth the money to invest in a quality UV so this never happens again. You may have to spend another $300 to $600 but it's a once for all solution besides annual lamp replacement cost which is around $60 for most units. Considering how much the fish and coral cost, the cost of a UV is not that crazy.

I have a tetraPond UV light that was never used. I was wondering if this would work? It is a B26.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I have a tetraPond UV light that was never used. I was wondering if this would work? It is a B26.

UV will help, but it'll never eradicate the parasite.

 

[roberthu526]

I have a tetraPond UV light that was never used. I was wondering if this would work? It is a B26.

It really depends on how big your tank is and the output of the UV.

 

[roberthu526]

UV will help, but it'll never eradicate the parasite.

I think the goal is to have healthy fish in a robust system instead of having a surgically predestine system.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I think the goal is to have healthy fish in a robust system instead of having a surgically predestine system.

Personal preference I'd rather wipe out the parasite instead of trying to manage it. By eradication and prophylactic treatment I know ill never have to deal with it again