Is 76 days really needed for a fallow period?

[Jurgen Frenz]

Does anyone know the percentages of Ich remaining in a system that was run Fallow for 6 weeks?

 

[EmdeReef]

There is at least 1 strain we know of that can survive 72 days. The vast majority should die within 6-8 weeks. Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to tell which strain your tank may have.

 

[Punchanello]

From my failed fallow experiences, yes. you really do need 76 days.

Regardless of how much ich is remaining after 6 weeks, it can and will reproduce and you'll end up in the same spot.

 

[Jurgen Frenz]

There is at least 1 strain we know of that can survive 72 days. The vast majority should die within 6-8 weeks. Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to tell which strain your tank may have.

Yeah I have seen that study but it's just one, not sure if that's a big enough sample size. However, I do agree to error on the side of caution. I have had my hand fallow since January 4th. Guess I should just "thug it out"

 

[Jurgen Frenz]

From my failed fallow experiences, yes. you really do need 76 days.

Regardless of how much ich is remaining after 6 weeks, it can and will reproduce and you'll end up in the same spot.

Yes, that's what scares me but are you sure it was due to the time frame or did you avoid every possible route of recontamination. For example, air borne droplets or using the same equipment.

 

[Gareth elliott]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/fallow-periods-going-fishless.190324/

Should help answer :)

 

[EmdeReef]

Yeah I have seen that study but it's just one. Not sure if that's a big enough sample size. However, I do agree to error on the side of caution. I have had my hand fallow since January 4th. Guess I should just "thug it out"

I would. The problem with the parasitic lifecycle, to put it very simply, what we consider 6 weeks may not begin when we think it begins. You are already almost 1/2 done!

 

[Jurgen Frenz]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/fallow-periods-going-fishless.190324/

Should help answer :)

Yeah, I've read that article before. Thanks @Gareth Elliot

 

[Jurgen Frenz]

I would. The problem with the parasitic lifecycle, to put it very simply, what we consider 6 weeks may not begin when we think it begins. You are already almost 1/2 done!

Guess I'll just wait and get used to seeing this ugly but effective QT system lol

 

[Punchanello]

Yes, that's what scares me but are you sure it was due to the time frame or did you avoid every possible route of recontamination. For example, air borne droplets or using the same equipment.

It's possible, but you have some level of control over those things. You don't have any real control over the ich lifecycle.

 

[Punchanello]

Guess I'll just wait and get used to seeing this ugly but effective QT system lol

I feel for you. I've just gone fallow on my second attempt. It sucks.

 

[LowLi]

i had ich + velvet. i was fallow for 46 days on the 47th day i added fish they were qted for a month+ and they got ich from my system. i decided to ditch the rest of the fallow after the velvet period wanted to keep ich in the system and i got tired of hand feeding my cleaner shrimp + coral.

 

[Big G]

Does your DT have sand bottom? If so it's a good idea to stir it a bit to make sure you don't have some Ich encysted on the sand in an area of the tank with low-no oxygen. Ich can survive for quite awhile in that environment. I'd stir it every day or so until your fallow period is done.