TTM is it really the best!?

[Jlobes]

Ive got my "first" fish coming in this week and decided that Im definitely gonna QT all additions into the 120. I didnt last time and feel like I got lucky for years.

So, the topic of QT has come up quite a bit and ive done quite a bit of research and reading. I wanted to hear from some people that have actually used TTM and are fans/haters of the method. I know and understand the method, it seems like a good idea and it makes "sense", but Im always unsure of adding more stress to the fish.

Im contemplating between TTM(w/prazi on transefer 2&4). Or just QT in a tank that is already up and running, but no other fish. Observe and prazi in that tank, and see whats what.

I like the idea of TTM and the fact that after 14 days of transfers and prazi, followed by two more weeks of obervation(in the previously mentioned running tank), the fish can enter DT. It seems to really speed things up, not use copper and seems effective, potential stress aside.

lets hear it, are you for TTM? against it? share your thoughts and experiences. thanks

 

[Sabellafella]

Im a strong believer in the ttm and its acually not that stressful on the fish, i found that when using a larger tank with alot of pvc lowers the stress also, the only downside is the amount of money thats spent on it and its not even that much. The only time the fish is really really stressed out is when you have a hard time netting it. I wish more people wouldnt over look this

 

[saltyhog]

For it. I think when someone has had a poor ending with TTM they assume it was "stress" when many other things could have caused the bad result.

I have never had a fish miss a beat after a transfer. Usually by the time TTM ends they have learned that seeing me means food and greet me when I sit down to feed.

One thing that seems to help me is to transfer when I first get up in the morning. Usually they are asleep in their PVC fitting and all I have to do is put my hands over the holes of the PVC fitting, lift, drain the water and slide them in the new tank. They usually act like they don't realize what happened

 

[Humblefish]

I've QT'd countless fish using TTM, and have not lost a one unless some other disease popped up on me. And every single fish I've successfully used TTM on has never shown symptoms of ich once placed in a DT. So you might say I'm a firm believer.

Now, I will say it is work and can be a PITA sometimes (like when you are short on time.) TTM is NOT for the lazy or those who like to procrastinate. The 72 hr rule is a hard rule when it comes to making TTM work.

 

[cameronh]

I've QT'd countless fish using TTM, and have not lost a one unless some other disease popped up on me. And every single fish I've successfully used TTM on has never shown symptoms of ich once placed in a DT. So you might say I'm a firm believer.

Now, I will say it is work and can be a PITA sometimes (like when you are short on time.) TTM is NOT for the lazy or those who like to procrastinate. The 72 hr rule is a hard rule when it comes to making TTM work.

TTM worked for me, as a matter of fact the ich spots vanished within 12 hours. And have not seen them since. Not saying it's gone completely, but the fish looks healthy again and eating and active.

 

[dagrinch65]

I'm currently have a clown tang in QT and have only been observing it so far. That said, what is TTM?

 

[Sabellafella]

I'm currently have a clown tang in QT and have only been observing it so far. That said, what is TTM?

Still to this day dont kno how to post threads, in short words its qting a fish transfering back nd forth from tanks sterilizing them nd waiting untill w.e parasite falls off , mr humblefish has it in the disease forum

 

[Humblefish]

I'm currently have a clown tang in QT and have only been observing it so far. That said, what is TTM?

Tank transfer method: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/tank-transfer-method.192655/

 

[Triggreef]

Another firm believer here. After a couple years it is all I use for many fish and I agree that by the end the fish are much less scared of me. I still use a previously set up tank with no fish when I needed to qt a delicate fish like a leopard wrasse or something.

One tip I use the old water from my display each time I set up the new tank. So that means 4 twenty gallon water changes in a 12 day period for my main tank every time I do the method.

 

[KingTriton]

I personally don't like the TTM. I find it hard and very time consuming to fully eradicate the existence of ich without constantly taking extreme measures into consideration. TTM won't fully work unless you QT everything for 90days including your Corals & CUC. I find that a properly setup QT is less stressful on the fish as well. Responsible care and observation of fish are whats key in keeping your fish healthy imo.

 

[Duke4Life]

I get everyone eating before doing anything because I feel they stand a better chance if medicating, as some suppress their appetite. I often see add this or that but a sick fish eating stands a better chance of living than a sick fish not eating.

Depending on what I see is what I do, typically ttm with 3 rounds of Prazipro (I use a smaller amount depending on fish), followed by observation. I am not a copper fan and if you use please get a high quality copper test kit to test. Lesson learned after getting flukes in DT by skipping qt.

 

[Jlobes]

thanks for all the replies, and glad to hear mostly good/acceptable things about it. Ill agree that stress isnt the best, but fish will die from diseases before stress.

 

[Jlobes]

I've QT'd countless fish using TTM, and have not lost a one unless some other disease popped up on me. And every single fish I've successfully used TTM on has never shown symptoms of ich once placed in a DT. So you might say I'm a firm believer.

Now, I will say it is work and can be a PITA sometimes (like when you are short on time.) TTM is NOT for the lazy or those who like to procrastinate. The 72 hr rule is a hard rule when it comes to making TTM work.

thanks for stoppin in HF! I know youre a firm believer in the method, as I ahve read much of the info you post or contribute. Ive got the potential time and can keep a schedule, so the 72hr hard limit isnt a problem for me.

An interesting thought/question, for more sensitive fish, or those not eating/settling in, any benefit or seriosu downside to keeping them in the first tank 4 or 5 days? Obviously, would need to keep a careful eye on ammonia and the TTM count would start on the first actual transfer, but might it be helpful for the finicky folks? Not saying this is what I intend to do, just a thought I had and I like brainstorming/communicating.

 

[Jlobes]

I personally don't like the TTM. I find it hard and very time consuming to fully eradicate the existence of ich without constantly taking extreme measures into consideration. TTM won't fully work unless you QT everything for 90days including your Corals & CUC. I find that a properly setup QT is less stressful on the fish as well. Responsible care and observation of fish are whats key in keeping your fish healthy imo.

Interesting thoughts here. 14 days doesnt seem like that long of a time to eradicate ick.

NO qt will work, if you dont qt all incoming inhabitants...corals/inverts included. also, its debatable how much contamination is possible with CUC/corals. I usually rinse all new CUC twice before adding to the DT and corals go though a series of dips and rinses. Since ick would only be on the surface of these items, in theory it would be washed/rinsed away. However, I do have the space and ability to qt everything i bring in.

what do you consider "a properly set up QT"?

responsible car and observation of fish are needed no matter which type of QT you use, thats just part of being a responsible hobbyist/aquarist.

 

[kandymann]

I am a firm believer. It worked like a charm when my new venustus angel came down with ich 8 days in QT. This method works but its not for the lazy.

I value my fish enough to put a little extra effort into it.

 

[KingTriton]

Ill agree that stress isnt the best, but fish will die from diseases before stress.

Yes but ich won't kill a fish without stress included. Stress is what causes the breakout of the disease. TTM only treats ich not other diseases.

 

[Jlobes]

Yes but ich won't kill a fish without stress included. Stress is what causes the breakout of the disease. TTM only treats ich not other diseases.

so, whats your QT protocol for treating fish and not bringing ick into your DT?

Of course TTM only treats ick, thats why I mentioned/most people do, using prazi at least twice during the QT. followed by two more weeks in QT, for observation of other disease and treatment if necessary. Or you can use prazi in the last two weeks as well.

thats puts the total time at about 4 weeks, and into the DT.

 

[KingTriton]

My protocol consist of a 20L tank, Aquaclear filter, heater, pvc, and a powerhead along with Matrix media from my DT's sump baffle (which is bleached and treated with vinegar before putting back into the DT after each fish). I dose Prazi twice. I don't transition the fish into the DT until 3 months of observation. That said sometimes I will do it sooner than preferred. This is no different than the TTM's timeline.

Acclimation is important as well. I always try and provide the least amount of stress to the fish as possible. I have the QT's water match the incoming bags salinity while letting the salinity rise on its own if needed. This allows me to get the fish into the tank ASAP without extending the time while ammonia levels are high from opening the bag.

There are other factors involved in "responsible care" which MANY people don't think of as an ich prevention such as a proper tank size for the animal, overcrowding, nutrition, and fish compatibility.

 

[Jlobes]

actually, the timeline for TTM is much shorter 4-6 weeks, including two prazi tratments followed by observation. why wait 3 months?

acclimation is definitely important, and would agree with matching salinity/ph/temp, allows quick and easy transfer.

agreed, many factors contribute to "responsible care" and part of that is doing proper research for any inhabitants considered. I definitely take all that into consideration when thinking about any purchase, but also long term for the tank. Thats one of the reasons I have a fish list going, to research possible inhabitants and their needs/requirements/compatibility with current and future additions on the list. Then, if I find any conflicts with my system or planned inhabitants, more research happens to find an alternate or removed from the list.

 

[KingTriton]

Ich has been reported to live up to 3 months without a host.

If you use the TTM make sure you keep the QT in a different room or atleast 10ft away from your DT to prevent transfer.