TTM for corals, inverts and CUC???

[Cment]

Would TTM work for anything we add to our DT? We all know that we should try and QT EVERYTHING for many reasons but particularly to prevent the introduction of ich into our system. We've all heard the horror stories of people adding something other than fish to their established tank only to end up getting an ich outbreak. So would using TTM not only speed up introduction of new non fish related items to your DT but also prevent ich introduction? Now it know this isn't practical for one frag but it may be useful for larger shipments using a 2g or 5g tank. @Humblefish

 

[Lenny_S]

In my opinion no. The idea behind TTM is that the parasite is dropping off and you are moving the fish before it has the minimal time to start its lifecycle again. But they can be dormant for up to 70 some odd days. In TTM that maximum doesn't matter because once you switch the fish to the next tank you are dumping out the previous one and letting it dry. If the eggs or larva are on a piece of coral skeleton that would be where it may stay dormant for up to that amount of time.
That's how I understand the mechanics of it anyway, maybe others have more insight.

 

[Cment]

In my opinion no. The idea behind TTM is that the parasite is dropping off and you are moving the fish before it has the minimal time to start its lifecycle again. But they can be dormant for up to 70 some odd days. In TTM that maximum doesn't matter because once you switch the fish to the next tank you are dumping out the previous one and letting it dry. If the eggs or larva are on a piece of coral skeleton that would be where it may stay dormant for up to that amount of time.
That's how I understand the mechanics of it anyway, maybe others have more insight.

That does make sense....

 

[Humblefish]

TTM works on fish (with ich) because the stage that lives on the fish (trophont) can only remain for 3-7 days before dropping off.

TTM DOES NOT work on corals/inverts because the stage that lives on them (tomont) remains for 2 weeks on average, with 72 days being the maximum recorded time.

 

[The Rook]

So if you quarantine inverts for two weeks they would be cleared for the main display? I've never done a q.t. but with my new system I want to be more cautious as well.

 

[TylerS]

No, two weeks is only the average. 72 days is playing it safe.

 

[Humblefish]

So if you quarantine inverts for two weeks they would be cleared for the main display? I've never done a q.t. but with my new system I want to be more cautious as well.

Two weeks is just the average. In addition to the 72 day variant, I saw one strain of ich take 35 days for all the theronts to excyst from their tomonts. So, I would at least isolate all corals/inverts in a fishless environment for 45 days (to play it safe). Or 76 days (to play it really safe.)

The reason for the additional time is you have to consider how long the free swimming theronts can remain active in the water before starving to death (because they failed to find a fish host.)

 

[The Rook]

Wow. I guess ive got to get my q.t. up and running.

 

[Cment]

TTM works on fish (with ich) because the stage that lives on the fish (trophont) can only remain for 3-7 days before dropping off.

TTM DOES NOT work on corals/inverts because the stage that lives on them (tomont) remains for 2 weeks on average, with 72 days being the maximum recorded time.

thanks humble!