Tank Transfer Method Suggestions

Drauka99 · Mar 9, 2016

Recently returned from vacation and it seems as I suspected that there is ick in the tank. Pretty good infestation on several fish.

Fish list -

2 Percula Clown (both show ick)
1 - fire fish
1 Coral Beauty Angel
1 Kole Tang (ick ick ick)
3 lyretail Anthias (all show ick)
1 watchman goby (hiding so i don't know)
1 red scooter dragonet
1 melanarus wrasse
1 bangai cardnial

Everyone other than the goby is active and eating.

I am thinking 2 - 20 longs for the TTM. I have a cycled 40 breeder that has been fishless for 90 days that has pods so I was going to move everything to it on day 14 for the rest of the fallow period.

I know it is suggested for 76 days to be absolutely sure but I am going out of town around day 70 so I am pretty sure I will only get to day 60-65 before I need to reintroduce everyone to the display tank.

Thoughts?

Jlobes · Mar 9, 2016

@Humblefish should be able to assist here. But seems you are on the right path/start.

Duke4Life · Mar 9, 2016

I'd ttm, then add once back. Is this not an option? A few extra days won't hurt anything in quarintine.

Drauka99 · Mar 9, 2016

The main tank is the 93 cube. I will be using 2 - 20 longs for the TTM and then the 40 Breeder for the remainder of the QT. I would use the 40 but I do not want to upset the pods so I can hopefully keep the Ruby Red going. he was a project from the LFS that is doing so well currently but I can't let ick keep going.

Jlobes · Mar 9, 2016

I think duke is asking, why not just leave them in the QT until you get back from outta town? should be fine for a few more days, unless you going away for quite some time

Drauka99 · Mar 9, 2016

I will be gone for a week and my tank sitter is quite green. the 40 is also in the garage, although that may change that by the time i finish the treatment. Everything is manual, top off and all.

Humblefish · Mar 9, 2016

Your game plan looks good except for maybe a couple of tweaks:

A 29 gal has the same footprint as a 20L, just taller. But that extra 9 gallons would give you more wiggle room when it comes to ammonia and a little more space for the fish to swim.
You will need to ghost feed the DT often if you wish to maintain bacteria levels capable of handling your full bio-load. Usually I recommend adding the fish back over 2-3 weeks, so the bacteria numbers have time to adjust. In any case, I would put an ammonia alert badge on your DT while you are gone and make sure your house sitter knows where the Prime is just in case a mini-cycle occurs.

Duke4Life · Mar 9, 2016

I really need to focus more sometimes, when you said ruby red I was thinking a wrasse.

Drauka99 · Mar 9, 2016

The 20 long was because the local club has one they can loan me and I have one as well. I will look at the 29s and see if I can swing it.

I'll grab several of the alert badges

Drauka99 · Mar 9, 2016

Duke4Life said:
I really need to focus more sometimes, when you said ruby red I was thinking a wrasse.

Nope a dragonet. I do have a melenarus wrasse too though.

Drauka99 · Mar 23, 2016

Ok... nearing the end of TTM

Just checking

Fish entered the first tank starting at 8pm on 3/11
1st transfer 7pm on 3/14
2nd transfer 6pm 3/17
3rd transfer 2pm 3/20
4th transfer 9pm 3/22 (1 day short due to not being home in time for the normal schedule)

I have a 5th transfer on my calendar for the evening of 3/25.

I guess my question is, am I done at this point or do I need to do the move on Friday?

I was thinking of doing a prazi treatment while the main tank has to remain fallow and my long term holding tank is getting cycled.

Duke4Life · Mar 23, 2016

Prazipro won't hurt. I only do 4 so imo you're done, I guess you could say the 5th is your move into observation while your DT is fallow.

Humblefish · Mar 23, 2016

Duke4Life said:
Prazipro won't hurt. I only do 4 so imo you're done, I guess you could say the 5th is your move into observation while your DT is fallow.

^^ This. Move into your observation tank on Friday and you are done. Dose any other meds, like Prazipro, in there.

Drauka99 · Mar 23, 2016

Thanks, since the 40 isn't fully cycled (off the charts ammonia reading) I think I will transfer one more time and start the prazipro treatment there. Hopefully by the second round the 40 will be cycled and ready for them.

Drauka99 · Mar 31, 2016

40 is pretty much cycled. I moved the fish to a fresh batch of sw last night and dosed prazipro one more time. Everyone was swimming and eating. Looks like everyone remaining is healthy.

Lost the wrasse and goby to over zealous jumping, they managed to squeeze out of a gap in the screen top. Down to one anthias, the other died mysteriously after acting fine for several days.