QT, Ich, and prolonged copper exposure

[KyleC]

So my DT has just started it's fallow period (76 days) today after finally catching my chromis!

He's now in a 20g QT that I plan to treat using coppersafe (finally arrived!) I have a couple of questions if anyone can comment.

1. If, for example, mid way through the 30 day treatment I decide to add 2 clownfish to my QT tank, can I simply restart the 30 days from then? Or would an excess of 30 days be detrimental to my chromis?

Am I best to get them now and add them before treatment begins?

2. While fallow, and still feeding the CUC that remain in the DT: If I use frozen brine shrimp, can that enable the ich lifecycle to continue? Should I just feed some pellets instead?

3. Would a chromis and 2 clowns be ok for 76 days in the QT? Regular water changes. I'd imagine so.

Thanks,
Kyle

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

So my DT has just started it's fallow period (76 days) today after finally catching my chromis!

He's now in a 20g QT that I plan to treat using coppersafe (finally arrived!) I have a couple of questions if anyone can comment.

1. If, for example, mid way through the 30 day treatment I decide to add 2 clownfish to my QT tank, can I simply restart the 30 days from then? Or would an excess of 30 days be detrimental to my chromis?

Am I best to get them now and add them before treatment begins?

2. While fallow, and still feeding the CUC that remain in the DT: If i use frozen brine shrimp, can that enable the ich lifecycle to continue?

3. Would a chromis and 2 clowns be ok for 76 days in the QT? Regular water changes. I'd imagine so.

Thanks,
Kyle

My thoughts:

1. If, for example, mid way through the 30 day treatment I decide to add 2 clownfish to my QT tank, can I simply restart the 30 days from then? Or would an excess of 30 days be detrimental to my chromis? Yes, you can run a double quarantine cycle...just start the 30 day clock over again. It isn't ideal, but usually is no issue. I've kept a variety of fish in coppersafe for 4+ months with no issues.


2. While fallow, and still feeding the CUC that remain in the DT: If i use frozen brine shrimp, can that enable the ich lifecycle to continue? No, frozen brine shrimp will not have any affect on the fallow period. Some people suspect that live brine shrimp can bring disease in, but that isn't proven, and I know frozen brine cannot do that.

3. Would a chromis and 2 clowns be om for 76 days in the QT? Regular water changes. I'd imagine so. Should be fine, just lower the copper after the second 30 days cycle, and do water changes as needed to maintain water quality.

Jay

 

[HankstankXXL750 Verified Sponsor]

I would probably try to get them all in it at once. Don’t know that longer exposure would be that bad, but you will save on copper to just do 1 thirty day treatment.

ghost feeding will not keep the ich alive. They require a live fish. Some say they can survive beyond the 76 days, but I’m not sure if this is fact or just because they got ich after a fallow, but introduced it another way.

Three fish should be fine in a 20 for that long or longer as long as you keep it clean.

 

[KyleC]

My thoughts:

1. If, for example, mid way through the 30 day treatment I decide to add 2 clownfish to my QT tank, can I simply restart the 30 days from then? Or would an excess of 30 days be detrimental to my chromis? Yes, you can run a double quarantine cycle...just start the 30 day clock over again. It isn't ideal, but usually is no issue. I've kept a variety of fish in coppersafe for 4+ months with no issues.


2. While fallow, and still feeding the CUC that remain in the DT: If i use frozen brine shrimp, can that enable the ich lifecycle to continue? No, frozen brine shrimp will not have any affect on the fallow period. Some people suspect that live brine shrimp can bring disease in, but that isn't proven, and I know frozen brine cannot do that.

3. Would a chromis and 2 clowns be om for 76 days in the QT? Regular water changes. I'd imagine so. Should be fine, just lower the copper after the second 30 days cycle, and do water changes as needed to maintain water quality.

Jay

Thanks Jay! Always quick to respond which is appreciated! I didn't think dead shrimp would affect it but don't want to take any chances.

The chromis is still to show any signs of ich, and it's been a month at least! They're hardy wee dudes!

 

[KyleC]

I would probably try to get them all in it at once. Don’t know that longer exposure would be that bad, but you will save on copper to just do 1 thirty day treatment.

ghost feeding will not keep the ich alive. They require a live fish. Some say they can survive beyond the 76 days, but I’m not sure if this is fact or just because they got ich after a fallow, but introduced it another way.

Three fish should be fine in a 20 for that long or longer as long as you keep it clean.

Sound advice, thanks! I will be using this treatment sparingly as it took a month to arrive from America, so the last thing I want is to waste it!

'Ghost feeding', haven't heard that term before. I've read some anecdotes of ich returning after the 76 days, I'm just praying it's down to some error they've made. I'll be extra cautious to follow all procedures carefully!

Could a 4th fish, a filefish, be OK too? Think I've read reports they are sensitive to copper?

 

[vetteguy53081]

So my DT has just started it's fallow period (76 days) today after finally catching my chromis!

He's now in a 20g QT that I plan to treat using coppersafe (finally arrived!) I have a couple of questions if anyone can comment.

1. If, for example, mid way through the 30 day treatment I decide to add 2 clownfish to my QT tank, can I simply restart the 30 days from then? Or would an excess of 30 days be detrimental to my chromis?

Am I best to get them now and add them before treatment begins?

2. While fallow, and still feeding the CUC that remain in the DT: If I use frozen brine shrimp, can that enable the ich lifecycle to continue? Should I just feed some pellets instead?

3. Would a chromis and 2 clowns be ok for 76 days in the QT? Regular water changes. I'd imagine so.

Thanks,
Kyle

I would not feed the CUC brine but rather a good universal food that is clean and wont foul water:

 

[KyleC]

I would not feed the CUC brine but rather a good universal food that is clean and wont foul water:

Brilliant idea thanks! I'll scoot to the LFS this weekend and get some. I wonder would my sand sifting star eat these too? I also have a skunk shrimp and pep shrimp.

 

[HankstankXXL750 Verified Sponsor]

“Ghost feeding” is the term used for feeding a tank with no fish to establish or maintain the cycle. Pretty funny name for sure.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Brilliant idea thanks! I'll scoot to the LFS this weekend and get some. I wonder would my sand sifting star eat these too? I also have a skunk shrimp and pep shrimp.

Star and shrimp - yes

 

[KyleC]

I assume most brands of algae wafers would be suitable? Some good value packs on amazon. Labelled as tropical but surely would be fine for marine too? For example the below.

HERONS Mini Algae Wafers