Question on the 10 foot rule

[innovusaquaculture]

I must admit that I have not read the study about aerosol transmission of fish disease. The site referenced wanted to charge me $5,000 for 100 electronic copies and I didn't think I need to pay that and got dis-intrested in trying to find a better way to read it. I'll try again after writing this post.

I am assuming that the transmission is the free swimmers, not the tomonts, which, I believe, are attached to hard surfaces. If they are the free swimmers and is we maintain the QT at a therapeutic level of copper that will kill them when they are released then how do they survive in aerosolized droplets of copper treated water?

Is it at the Protomont phase that is becomes aerosolized? If that is the case we are saying that copper does not kill it in this form while it is forming the cyst. If that is the case then we are possible moving those Protomonts with any part of the wet fish, unless we intend to dry the fish, which might make it a bit uncomfortable.

It would seem that the only way to be completely sure we have QT'ed what looks like a perfectly healthy fish to begin with is a full 72-76 days in full copper.

If I am going to go to the time and expense of QT'ing all my fish, letting my tanks go fallow for 2 and a half months, then restarting everything, which, by the way, I have completely bought the "E" ticket ride for and have my jug of cool-aid, then I want a completely disease free tank system when I'm done. I want to spare no expense in treating my fish the best.

BTW - I'll have 99 electronic copies of the aerosol transmission study for $50 each for anyone who wants one! I supose I'll need a climate controlled warehouse for QT as well.

Erick

(P.S. I have a very unique sense of humor. Please don't be offended by it. Laugh and respond. This is suposed to be FUN!)

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

IMO- aerosolized transmission of disease is more of a potential cautionary tale than something to be overly concerned with. The question is: can a water droplet in air act as a fomite and carry parasites. Definitely yes for bacteria (I have a sterilized 800 gallon tank that I cycled with ammonium chloride - the only bacteria was what floated in on the air. By extrapolation, viral particles can also transmit this way. So - can Cryptocaryon theronts? IDK, but have never seen it myself, I just avoid solid fomites such as moving tank tools from tank to tank, and of course, actual water spray, not aerosols. To your question about theronts dying in copper dosed aerosols- copper isn’t instantaneous in its action.

Years ago, I had a severe case of crypt in a 200 gallon tank, about five feet from some stairs leading up to a 150,000 gallon system, I was sweating bullets about cross contamination - used a foot bath, and never had an issue.
Jay

 

[saltyhog]

Agree with Jay! As I recall, in the study there was significant surface agitation and a fan/air movement over the tanks in question. I'm not terribly concerned with it but I have plenty if room to separate my QT tanks.

 

[innovusaquaculture]

Cool. Thank you guys for the information! I think I'll save the $5k on the document and put it towards more important things. I've got separate tools for all my fish QT tanks, coral QT tanks, Hospital tanks and display tanks.

My display tanks are more then 10' from the whole QT and hospital systems, so I think I'm going to move forward with that.

I've got a lot of work to do if I'm going to catch up with Jay and put up a 150,000 gallon system :}

-E