Ich question

[reefrocker82]

Hello reefers,

After 20+ yrs of keeping fish I have my first encounter with ich. I am in the process of setting up a treatment tank. My question is regarding a separate tank that I currently have cycling. I seeded it with some ceramic media blocks, LR, and some water from my main tank about a week ago before I noticed any signs of ich. Since I did this I’m assuming that the new tank will need to use the fallow protocol. Is this correct? Will I need to go the full 72 days? I was hoping to use it as an observation tank after the copper treatment.

 

[JumboShrimp]

So if I follow you, the tank in question recently was populated with several 'wet items' from the tank you now realize contained an ich-fish? Yes, I wouldn't put a fish in there before taking it fallow, and expect to be in the clear. :(

 

[reefrocker82]

So if I follow you, the tank in question recently was populated with several 'wet items' from the tank you now realize contained an ich-fish? Yes, I wouldn't put a fish in there before taking it fallow, and expect to be in the clear. :(

That’s what I figured. Looks like I’ll have to treat for copper for the entire 30 days as I don’t have room for another tank for observation. Idk what I’m going to do for the three month fallow period for my main DT. Now I really wish I hadn’t seeded the new tank as it would’ve been perfect for a post treatment tank.

 

[vetteguy53081]

The LR will absorb medication and should be removed.

Hello reefers,

After 20+ yrs of keeping fish I have my first encounter with ich. I am in the process of setting up a treatment tank. My question is regarding a separate tank that I currently have cycling. I seeded it with some ceramic media blocks, LR, and some water from my main tank about a week ago before I noticed any signs of ich. Since I did this I’m assuming that the new tank will need to use the fallow protocol. Is this correct? Will I need to go the full 72 days? I was hoping to use it as an observation tank after the copper treatment.

Seeded media is good. If fish were in display tank when this occurred…. Move to separate treatment tank and leave display without fish for 6-8 weeks. Coral and inverts can remain and use coppersafe st 2.25ppm

 

[JumboShrimp]

I remember years ago I did a less than precise fallow period, and ended up having to do it three times! The most boring half-year of my life, staring at a tank of water. :(

 

[reefrocker82]

The LR will absorb medication and should be removed.

Seeded media is good. If fish were in display tank when this occurred…. Move to separate treatment tank and leave display without fish for 6-8 weeks. Coral and inverts can remain and use coppersafe st 2.25ppm

The tank in question is a new 60g cube with no livestock that is still cycling. It was seeded from my 90g about a week before my tang showed signs of ich.
I currently have a 29g and a 20g that I’m setting up for treatment. These tanks will be seeded with sponges and ceramic blocks from my DT.
I was hoping that by the time the copper treatment is complete that I would be able to transfer them to the 60g while the 90g is in its fallow period. I thought maybe since the 60g has never had fish that it might work but I’m not gonna risk it.

 

[reefrocker82]

I remember years ago I did a less than precise fallow period, and ended up having to do it three times! The most boring half-year of my life, staring at a tank of water. :(

Yeah, I’m not looking forward to it lol. On the upside I do have a lot of inverts and some corals to look at. And it’ll give the pod population a break.
My new 60g cube that is cycling is going to be for seahorses. Just a minor setback as I wasn’t going to add anything for a few months anyway.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Starting with the cleanest slate you can for your tank will give you the greatest peace of mind. At least that is what I have concluded. I am using 'duplicate' everything for each of my tanks (nets, water change tubing, etc.) to not transfer water.

 

[reefrocker82]

Starting with the cleanest slate you can for your tank will give you the greatest peace of mind. At least that is what I have concluded. I am using 'duplicate' everything for each of my tanks (nets, water change tubing, etc.) to not transfer water.

I knew it would catch up with me one day. 20yrs with no QT was a good run though lol

 

[vetteguy53081]

The tank in question is a new 60g cube with no livestock that is still cycling. It was seeded from my 90g about a week before my tang showed signs of ich.
I currently have a 29g and a 20g that I’m setting up for treatment. These tanks will be seeded with sponges and ceramic blocks from my DT.
I was hoping that by the time the copper treatment is complete that I would be able to transfer them to the 60g while the 90g is in its fallow period. I thought maybe since the 60g has never had fish that it might work but I’m not gonna risk it.

I get what your thoughts are , but the reason behind 6-8 weeks is that the ich parasite has a life cycle and reproduction cycle and it lasts often beyond 30 days- the 6 weeks will assure the cycle has stopped with the parasite dying off due to having no host fish for reproduction. In reality it is 2 more weeks beyond the 30 treatment period

 

[reefrocker82]

I get what your thoughts are , but the reason behind 6-8 weeks is that the ich parasite has a life cycle and reproduction cycle and it lasts often beyond 30 days- the 6 weeks will assure the cycle has stopped with the parasite dying off due to having no host fish for reproduction. In reality it is 2 more weeks beyond the 30 treatment period

Yeah, I get it. Looks like I’m using every tank I have in the middle of the living room lol

 

[vetteguy53081]

In that case… who needs a TV- LOL

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Yeah, I get it. Looks like I’m using every tank I have in the middle of the living room lol

I use 60 days as a fallow period for ich, just to be safe. Here is a thread I started that discusses how even 45 days can work at higher temperatures:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/45-day-fallow-periods.805213/
The biggest reason that fallow periods fail is when people add fish back into the tank, but those fish have not been properly cleared of ich, and they bring that parasite back in with them.