Ich or possibly velvet

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Since the DT has to remain fallow for the next 6 weeks can I QT the fish @ 2.0 PPM of copper power for that period of time? Instead of 2.4ppm for the 30 days?

That’s tricky. Below 2 doesn’t always work. You are much safer to target 2.25 I run 2.5 myself.

 

[MnFish1]

Since the DT has to remain fallow for the next 6 weeks can I QT the fish @ 2.0 PPM of copper power for that period of time? Instead of 2.4ppm for the 30 days?

No. I wouldn’t and it doesn’t need to be 2.4. 2.2-2.5 is ok for 30 days

 

[bshake]

Would running the UV and raising the temp of the DT to 81 degrees be good to speed up the fallow period? Or should I do 6 weeks still to be safe?

 

[MnFish1]

Would running the UV and raising the temp of the DT to 81 degrees be good to speed up the fallow period? Or should I do 6 weeks still to be safe?

6 weeks. 81 degrees can work at 45 days - but - why take the chance. If it were me - I would do 6 weeks at 81:)

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Would running the UV and raising the temp of the DT to 81 degrees be good to speed up the fallow period? Or should I do 6 weeks still to be safe?

UV doesn't really affect the fallow period - it is the resting stage of the protozoans on tank surfaces that require time for them to "age out", and they never pass through the UV.

I'd opt for 6 weeks at 81 F.

 

[ReefED!]

UV doesn't really affect the fallow period - it is the resting stage of the protozoans on tank surfaces that require time for them to "age out", and they never pass through the UV.

I'd opt for 6 weeks at 81 F.

Jay,

Do you recommend any dips like methylene blue on ich fish before they enter a hospital/QT tank?

I know many folks use it for ammonia poisoning.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Jay,

Do you recommend any dips like methylene blue on ich fish before they enter a hospital/QT tank?

I know many folks use it for ammonia poisoning.

Methylene blue is used for nitrite poisoning, as well as to aid in cyanide poisoning, but both uses are pretty limited in aquarium fish.

A couple of decades ago, I devised a sort of “triage” treatment for incoming fish. I used methylene blue and formalin. I would dip the fish after they were acclimated, but before I moved them into the quarantine system. The mortality rate was horrendous and I stopped after a few trials. Turns out, dipping recently shipped fish for parasites is a really bad idea.

I now acclimate the fish to the QT and let them stabilize for 48 to 72 hours and then start the quarantine process.