Suggestions for QT

[Andrew Schubert]

In my QT tanks I treat with PraziPro. Besides that the only other method I've used is hyposalinity to insure none of my tangs go to the DT with ich. HOWEVER, although I've never seen it personally in any of my fish, the chance of a velvet outbreak is making me nervous as I here all these horror stories with it.

Before I get to my question, also note that I do have a UV sterilizer running on my DT as well.

Anyways, I'm wondering what others would recommend....

Currently I have a wrasse, and a yellow tang in QT. They have been in there for 3 weeks so far now, showing no sign of issues. I have treated 2 rounds of PraziPro during this time. Now I'm at the point I'm considering a couple options...

1) They've been in for 3 weeks with no signs of issues. Just give it a couple more weeks, and if there is no sign of any issues they must be good to go to the DT. No need to medicate for ich or velvet???

2) I've used hyposalinity in the past...so now that I have time to monitor my QT better, lets go ahead a start a month of hypo to insure there is no ich present (but I guess still leaves the chance of velvet?)

3) I've never used Copper; however, this will prevent ich and velvet if it is present on the fish. So do I go this round. If so, what effect does copper have on the biological filtration of the tank. The QT tank has been up long enough that the cycle has completed, and I'm not sure i want to destroy the beneficial bacteria and introduce ammonia or nitrite back into my QT. Dos copper destroy this filtration? I've also heard some saying wrasses' don't do well with copper. Guess if I go this route, I'm just nervous I could end up killing a fish that after 3 weeks so far seems to be completely normal.

 

[HotRocks]

In personally treat all new fish with copper. Especially wrasse as they have a very thick mucus layer. So they may seem parasite free, but can still he harboring them in the gills.

I prefer to use copper power with the Hanna checker to monitor the level. I treat at 1.75ppm.

Using the above combination I have never experienced a "copper sensitive" wrasse. The only fish I have ever had in 1.75ppm copper that wouldn't eat was a porcupine puffer and I moved him to a tank with CP and he did just fine.

Copper does not impact the biofilter so no worries there.

 

[Piranhapat]

What I like to do before placing a fish in DT. Is transferring fish to new water every 12 to 24 hours for 3-5 days. I use a bucket with at least 3 gals. Heater and air. Option on using any treatment if you want without killing bacteria or worry about ammonia. What I don't like about hyposalinity that it can mask a velvet or ick. Meaning after your bring the salinity back up to normal range. Fish can still carry and have an out break. I like to wait 3-4 weeks to make sure the fish is free of any parasites in 1.025 If I don't see any outbreaks in this range . I feel more confident in placing fish in DT.