Tank transfer method or copper for fish needing sand

karsa · Mar 23, 2023

I’m planing on getting a couple Halichoeres wrasse (radiant and maybe earmuff or adorned) and a diamond goby. I normally do the HTTM to limit medications but I’ve never needed sand in QT before. I’m concerned about having to move the fish with them buried and needing to dig them out stressing them. Would it be better to do a standard copper power quarantine in this case. Either way I plan on waiting till they‘re eating to start. What do you think would be the least stressful and most successful approach?

bushdoc · Mar 23, 2023

People are using small containers filled with sand in quarantine tanks.

vetteguy53081 · Mar 23, 2023

karsa said:
I’m planing on getting a couple Halichoeres wrasse (radiant and maybe earmuff or adorned) and a diamond goby. I normally do the HTTM to limit medications but I’ve never needed sand in QT before. I’m concerned about having to move the fish with them buried and needing to dig them out stressing them. Would it be better to do a standard copper power quarantine in this case. Either way I plan on waiting till they‘re eating to start. What do you think would be the least stressful and most successful approach?

Some wrasse do not fair well with hyposalinity. For your question, TTM often produces stress on fish with wrasse being one of them. Your best bet is a Chelated copper product such as coppersafe or copper power at level 2.0 for a FULL 30 days (do not interrupt this 30 day period) monitored by a reliable Copper Test kit such as Hanna Brand- No API brand. Also monitor Ammonia levels while in quarantine with a reliable test kit and add aeration during treatment using an air stone.

bradreef · Mar 23, 2023

I did hybrid ttm with my coris. Worked great. I think you will get mixed thoughts on if sand is necessary. But i say why not. you arent adding copper that will absorb into the sand.

MnFish1 · Mar 23, 2023

karsa said:
I’m planing on getting a couple Halichoeres wrasse (radiant and maybe earmuff or adorned) and a diamond goby. I normally do the HTTM to limit medications but I’ve never needed sand in QT before. I’m concerned about having to move the fish with them buried and needing to dig them out stressing them. Would it be better to do a standard copper power quarantine in this case. Either way I plan on waiting till they‘re eating to start. What do you think would be the least stressful and most successful approach?

I would do a standard copper treatment.