QT/Hypo salinity question

[720 Reefer]

I started up a QT tank and wanted to go the hypo salinity route. My question is, am I able to add fish to it if I drip acclimate for a couple hours? Or would I have to start it at a higher salinity, add the fish, then slowly drop it over time?

 

[cmaxwell39]

My understanding is that you would add fish at normal salinity ( or match the salinity of the system they came from which is probably lower than 1.026) and then slowly drop it. I will also say that hypo salinity is not a normally suggested QT method since it will only treat for ich and would do nothing to combat other potential parasites that could come in on your new fish (velvet, uronema, etc) I suggest spending some time in the disease and treatment forum and read some of the stickies.

There are some amazing people in the disease forum and some of the best QT minds around hang out there. Good luck

 

[Redfoxtang]

Here is a good article on the subject of Hypo.

Hyposalinity

Hyposalinity (Osmotic Shock Therapy) What It Treats – Marine Ich (Cryptocaryon irritans) and Flukes (Monogeneans). How To Treat – Place the fish you wish to treat in a quarantine tank with SG & temperature matching the tank they came from. Over a period of 48 hours, gradually lower the SG...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[720 Reefer]

So my goal was to use my QT for fish and coral, which is why I was hoping to find a way to avoid adding copper. Then would obviously raise salinity for coral QT. Any options out there that could work for coral and fish? Separate times is even fine

 

[cmaxwell39]

Am I understanding correctly that you are hoping to use one tank to QT everything?? If so, you could still potentially use copper and other meds as long as you sterilize the tank and all equipment before using for inverts/corals. The silicone seams and the equipment will not absorb copper or other medications. As long as you are not using live rock in the QT for sustrate you could possibly still get away with this.

 

[720 Reefer]

Am I understanding correctly that you are hoping to use one tank to QT everything?? If so, you could still potentially use copper and other meds as long as you sterilize the tank and all equipment before using for inverts/corals. The silicone seams and the equipment will not absorb copper or other medications. As long as you are not using live rock in the QT for sustrate you could possibly still get away with this.

Yep exactly my goal. I appreciate the advice!

 

[Uncle99]

Keep in mind that Hypo salinity is a treatment for ick.
However in QT, lower salinities say 1.018-1.021, reduce stress on fish through easier respiration and some believe this less stress creates better immunity. Almost all our LFS run their fish only tanks in this range.

Fish entering lower salinity from higher salinity is not a problem, it’s fish going from lower salinity to higher that can be stressful for them.

When going from higher to lower salinities like 1.026 downwards to Hypo at 1.009, this can be done over a few hours. I just remove 10% saltwater and add 10% RODI of same temp every hour, until 1.009 reached.

But when going upwards from 1.009 hypo to 1.026, it’s best to increase no more than .002 per day.

Hypo works on ick only by screwing with the parasites ability to process the hypo water. It can take in the water but cannot expel it as fast, thus, over 4-7 days, the parasite explodes literally.

if you are treating for ick, make sure you go 14 -21 additional days after last white spot is gone.