Invert QT Tank - Black Bug Treatment

[CoralHaze]

I'm planning to do an in-tank interceptor treatment in the near future due to the unfortunate discovery of black bugs. I'll be setting up a temporary QT tank for the inverts during treatments, which will be a simple 5 gal tank with heater, small powerhead, and a few pieces of new/dry rock for crawling/hiding space. I'll move all critters back into the display after 24hrs, then repeat on weeks 2 and 3.

• Do I need to cycle the QT tank?
• Should I use display water to fill the tank? Does that run the risk of bringing over bugs, which could then hitchhike back into the display via the inverts (if that's possible)?Same goes for using a piece of LR from the display filtration compartment? (but that would not go back without treatment)
• I also have some mini biobricks that I could drop into the display to seed for a bit, and then use for the QT.

• Also, I'm still trying to obtain straight Interceptor. I managed to get a free sample of Interceptor Plus from one vet, which some people have reportedly used. But most say to use just Milbemycin Oxime without prazi. Are there really any negative side affects from using prazi in a display? All I could find was mention of potential oxygen depletion.

Just trying to plan a safe path forward. Maybe I'm overthinking this...
Thanks in advance!

 

[SPSDomination]

Following along. I need to get my hands on some and do the same. I did a treatment years ago that worked out great. The headache will be removing my large CUC.

 

[CoralHaze]

Yeah, one nice thing about a small tank is I that should be able to get all CUC out - aside from two mini brittle starfish which haven't been seen in months....

 

[CoralHaze]

Well I just started cycling the holding tank. No interceptor yet. Guess I'll have to acclimate everything to the holding tank water, and then back into the display to be safe.

Still curious if using display tank water could bring over bugs?
And could they hitch hike back into the system on the inverts?

 

[CoralHaze]

I was finally able to source straight interceptor. Like most, the local dog/cat vets wouldn’t consider prescribing anything. But one did recommend reaching out to a veterinary dermatology facility which happened to be right down the road – one of the vets actually specializes with fish. I still needed to establish care so I had to complete a detailed questionnaire, provided photos/videos, and we had a 30 min telemed call. It certainly helped that he was familiar with reef systems and red/black bug issues. Overall, worth the time and expense as I now have a large backup supply for my tank and a vet to go back to.

Total cost = $135 consultation + $50 meds (discounted) = $185

The fish vet didn’t carry interceptor so I had to source elsewhere. And funny enough the local dog/cat vets would STILL NOT prescribe the meds even with a licensed vet prescription. So I had to order online (PetMeds) which ended up having issues getting the Rx verified..but eventually got sorted out. The delays didn’t really matter anyway since my holding tank too forever to cycle.

Even for 25gal, what a huge pain in the butt it was to catch all the crabs and snails – probably took me an hour! I see why people with larger tanks just hope & pray.

 

[CoralHaze]

One thing I assumed incorrectly, the pills are not 23mg - that is just the amount of MO in the pill. The pills are much heavier so if you're needing a small out (like me) you really need a micro weight scale. The vet recommended 55mg of the pill...which was below what my 0.1g gram can do. I just rounded up to 0.1 and figured the extra amount wouldn't be an issue.

 

[CoralHaze]

Some pre-treatment photos. Hopefully things will show improvement on the other side.

Completed the first treatment yesterday. Any signs of bugs were gone after about 3 hours. Left it in for 8 hours before resuming UV, skimming, and carbon. Unfortunately, I could not get my porcelain crab out of his cave - but he was filter feeding all day long and looks fine today. Also found another astrea and nassarius snail this morning, both still moving around. I can also see some dead amphipods in the water column.

 

[CoralHaze]

How much should I be feeding the invert tank per day? Probably 20ish snails and 8 hermits. I don't have an extra light so I moved it next to the window in hopes the sun starts growing algae...

 

[CoralHaze]

Fun little side effect... Dino's have returned Take out the CUC and nutrients drop?? Nitrate = 0.08 / Phosphate = 0.1. They have been consistently at ~5 and 0.5 for weeks, and I've been feeding the same even without CUC. Dosed to bring back up to those levels and will have to monitor closely. My original outbreak was nasty....