My husband and I decided that the tank transfer method was the way that we wanted to treat our new fish for potential ich. We have everything that we need to do this method. Our local fish store has a yellow eyed kole which is the next fish that we wanted to add to our display tank. (300 gal reef with seven chromis and one foxface.) We wondered if this fish would be too delicate for our first attempt at the tank transfer method - we are getting cold feet at the last minute. We had planned on quarantining the fish in our observation tank following the tank transfer method - this has been up and running for months and a foxface thrived in it (75 gal, one cleaner shrimp one peppermint shrimp). Appreciate your advice.
tank transfer method
- Thread starter mcs
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Smo
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I think you will be fine. I would start with the 10 G and use the 20 G for the Prazi treatments. Oxygenate well. Use a Seachem ammonia badge and watch it close. Have extra water handy for partial water changes. Careful with the feeding to not foul the water. Especially with dried seaweed. I use an acrylic tube with a flexible section to syphon uneaten food and waste about 30 min after feeding. It's a bit of work but well worth it. I currently have a starry blenney and diamond goby in TTM using two 10 G tanks.
Ate well this am. I have two questions. I mix my salt water in a 90 gal tank with pump to mix. The water in the mixing tank is 78 degrees. The temp of the water in the transfer tanks falls to 72-73 degrees. Is it to stressful to transfer from 72 to 78 degrees directly? Should I heat the transfer tanks? Second question. Can I reuse the seachum ammonia alert? I rinse and let sit dry for the time between transfers. The fish seems more comfortable. I am more stressed/tired. [emoji4]
Smo
Well-Known Member
Temps between transfers should match within 1 deg or less. I use a different thermometer in each tank and previously recorded their readings in the same temperature water so I know what they should read to match. Similar to you, my mixed water is in a warmer room so I have to cool it down to match the water temp the fish are in. I put ice cubes in a ziplock bag and cool the new tank water down an hour or so prior to the transfer. Also important to ensure the salinity is the same or within at least 0.001.
The Seachem ammonia badge should be good for a year. Again, I have one for each transfer tank. While the tank and its equipment gets sterilized with vinegar or bleach, I only soak the ammonia badges in RODI water and then allow it to dry between uses. Do not soak in bleach or vinegar water or you will ruin the detector. I saved the packaging they came in and store them in it when not in use. Write the purchase date on the packaging.
Glad to here it is going well.
The Seachem ammonia badge should be good for a year. Again, I have one for each transfer tank. While the tank and its equipment gets sterilized with vinegar or bleach, I only soak the ammonia badges in RODI water and then allow it to dry between uses. Do not soak in bleach or vinegar water or you will ruin the detector. I saved the packaging they came in and store them in it when not in use. Write the purchase date on the packaging.
Glad to here it is going well.
Thank you so much. Ice in a bag . . . Perfect solution. I have a thermometer and badge for each tank. Plenty of air stones so I will not reuse until next time. (Soak in diluted bleach after use). I Throw air tubing away. I do need a second net to scoop out uneaten food. Thank you so much for your help. Don't think I could do it without you.
I thought we were doing very well. My little kole was eating frozen brine and appeared ok. I had been transferring every 48 hours until this last transfer which I did at 67 hours. I dosed prazipro on day 3 and day 8 - 24 hours before a transfer (the last dose was at 9:30 am and I did the transfer at 4pm the next day, yesterday.). My little fish ate poorly the morning of the 9th day, and has not eaten since. I even tried some live brine shrimp this evening. He spends most of his time hiding in his PVC tube, but does come out and swims around the tank, pecking a little at the glass. He looks ok, no blemishes, does not appear to be breathing funny. The ammonia alert still reads yellow. Not sure what to do.
Smo
Well-Known Member
Give it some time and careful not to foul the water with food if he's not eating. I syphon the waste whenever I see it and any left over food 30 min or so after feeding. Now that you are thru with Prazi you can perform partial water changes to improve the water quality.
Meds in the water, e.g., Prazi, can decrease their appetite. Just keep trying with different foods. Have you tried green or red seaweed?
Meds in the water, e.g., Prazi, can decrease their appetite. Just keep trying with different foods. Have you tried green or red seaweed?
The kole finally ate a few brine this am. He still appears otherwise fine. Today is day 12 so plan on putting him in 75 gal observation tank tonight. The ot has rick and a Refugium and has been running for six months. Our foxface did well there.
Right after the kole was in his new home the cleaner shrimp began being overly attentive to him. Picking particularly at/in the mouth. The kole opens his mouth and faces the shrimp. The kole seems to seek out the cleaner shrimp repeatedly. Should I worry?
Smo
Well-Known Member
Behavior otherwise seems normal. Not breathing heavy. Did not eat this am seemed more interested in hiding and picking at the glass. Will send video when I am home from work. Dog walker will feed at lunchtime.
