How should I think about QT groups?

[DiscoStuart]

I'm in full on planning mode for my build (plans are shifting, but looking like a Nyos 440 (100 gal DT - 49" x 22" x 21").

I'm planning to do the HTTM QT method with 10 gallon QT tanks. One thing I haven't quite wrapped my head around is the correct groupings for QT. I'd like to minimize the number of groupings, without messing up my fish! Current thoughts below - but would love any feedback. Note ChatGPT helped me come up with the groupings - which is why I'd like some real human confirmation it isn't crazy! I'd love to do fewer groups if possible. Also, my plan is to try to get juveniles, if that matters for the planning.

QT Group 1	Clownfish x2 (DaVinci?)
QT Group 2	Yellow Watchman Goby + Tailspot Blenny
QT Group 3	Banggai (or Pajama) Cardinal + Pink-Streaked Wrasse
QT Group 4	Longnose Hawkfish
QT Group 5	Yellowtail or Azure Damsel
QT Group 6	One Spot Foxface & Kole Tang
QT Group 7	Flame Angel & Coral Beauty
QT Group 8	Mandarin (Only After Confirmed Pod Population)

 

[Spare time]

Are you unable to get copper? It covers more diseases.

 

[DiscoStuart]

Are you unable to get copper? It covers more diseases.

HTTM includes H2O2 baths and should cover Ich, Velvet, and Brook. My understanding is Copper alone only covers Ich and Velvet (and is harder on the fish + potentially longer).

That being said, I'm not fully set on the QT method. Could go with the BRS 80/20 instead.

But either way, I'll need to figure out the QT groups!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

HTTM includes H2O2 baths and should cover Ich, Velvet, and Brook. My understanding is Copper alone only covers Ich and Velvet (and is harder on the fish + potentially longer).

That being said, I'm not fully set on the QT method. Could go with the BRS 80/20 instead.

But either way, I'll need to figure out the QT groups!

TTM, even with peroxide has some drawbacks; lots of handling stress, right at a point where fish need stability, lack of horizontal fish viewing (in some cases), not handling flukes at all, and then there is the suspicion that velvet can reproduce in the fish's gills and then makes it through TTM. The idea of adding peroxide is based on a paper out of Hawaii where threadfins were cured of velvet (Amyloodinium) through TTM and 75 ppm peroxide dips. Using peroxide at lower levels has not been studied.

Here is the basic process that I use:

Current Quarantine Protocol

2024 Quarantine Procedures Jay Hemdal David Scarborough Protozoans (Cryptocaryon/ich, Amyloodinium/velvet) and Metazoan trematodes/flukes are by far the most common parasites found on newly acquired fish. A carefully managed, proactive quarantine process can effectively eliminate these...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[DiscoStuart]

TTM, even with peroxide has some drawbacks; lots of handling stress, right at a point where fish need stability, lack of horizontal fish viewing (in some cases), not handling flukes at all, and then there is the suspicion that velvet can reproduce in the fish's gills and then makes it through TTM. The idea of adding peroxide is based on a paper out of Hawaii where threadfins were cured of velvet (Amyloodinium) through TTM and 75 ppm peroxide dips. Using peroxide at lower levels has not been studied.

Here is the basic process that I use:

Current Quarantine Protocol

2024 Quarantine Procedures Jay Hemdal David Scarborough Protozoans (Cryptocaryon/ich, Amyloodinium/velvet) and Metazoan trematodes/flukes are by far the most common parasites found on newly acquired fish. A carefully managed, proactive quarantine process can effectively eliminate these...

www.reef2reef.com

Thanks. I'm definitely going to need to go with some sort of 80/20 approach and accept a level of risk. Still to figure that out, but I appreciate your article - very helpful!

All that being said - I'd like to avoid turning this thread into a 'what's the best way to QT' debate and instead get input on QT groups! :)

 

[Spare time]

HTTM includes H2O2 baths and should cover Ich, Velvet, and Brook. My understanding is Copper alone only covers Ich and Velvet (and is harder on the fish + potentially longer).

That being said, I'm not fully set on the QT method. Could go with the BRS 80/20 instead.

But either way, I'll need to figure out the QT groups!

I don't find copper power or copper safe to be hard on fish.