when you realise you should have quarantined from the start....

[1979fishgeek]

Hi everyone.

I am upgrading from a 300l to nearly 900l system and plan on fixing a few issues along the way. The biggest being I never quarantined my fish previously and my Powder Blue Tang now has a constant minor white spot issue. No other fish in the Tank are affected (yet) which include 2 X Clarkii, 1 X Desjardinii Sailfin Tang 1 X Mimic Tang, 3 X Chromis, 1 X Pink spot Goby. But if he has it, it's in the system now.

I plan on moving all the live rock and inverts over to the new system and then leave fallow while I treat the fish.

Questions! Sorry lots!

Is 12 weeks sufficient to starve out the parasite in the live rock and inverts?

What's safest way to treat the fish? Medication? But which as have scaleless fish? Or should I go low salinity method? Then I'm not sure if low salinity is practical with a 300l tank as it will knock out the external filter bacteria and there is no other filtration apart from a protein skimmer (which font work in low salinity) which means a huge amount of water changes and salt.

I am incorporating a permanent quarantine tank in the end chamber of the sump on its own system, when I purchase new fish or inverts how long do you quarantine and do you treat them with anything preventatively? Thinking pathogens can still make there way in on live rock? What's the solution? Quarantine new corals for 12 weeks every new purchase? Or am I trying to do the impossible trying to totally prevent disease entering the system again?

Ozone, I am considering using Ozone as seen how polished the water looks in a mates tank, does it also kill pathogens in the water? Can it assist in keeping my tank disease free?

This is my new tank, I want to really iron out the kinks in this set up.

 

[Humblefish]

Is 12 weeks sufficient to starve out the parasite in the live rock and inverts?

Yes, 76 days fallow is what I now recommend so 12 weeks goes even beyond that. :)

What's safest way to treat the fish? Medication? But which as have scaleless fish? Or should I go low salinity method? Then I'm not sure if low salinity is practical with a 300l tank as it will knock out the external filter bacteria and there is no other filtration apart from a protein skimmer (which font work in low salinity) which means a huge amount of water changes and salt.

None of the fish you listed are scaleless and the problem with going hypo is resistant strains of ich do exist. Copper is an option or being you live in the UK, you should be able to get Chloroquine phosphate fairly easy (available at most chemists): https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/chloroquine-phosphate.192309/

However, you will need some type of bio-filter (canister, HOB) to avoid having to do frequent water changes to control ammonia.

I am incorporating a permanent quarantine tank in the end chamber of the sump on its own system, when I purchase new fish or inverts how long do you quarantine and do you treat them with anything preventatively? Thinking pathogens can still make there way in on live rock? What's the solution? Quarantine new corals for 12 weeks every new purchase? Or am I trying to do the impossible trying to totally prevent disease entering the system again?

I am probably not understanding correctly, but your QT & DT cannot share water or even be within 10 feet of one another: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/aerosol-transmission.190292/

Ozone, I am considering using Ozone as seen how polished the water looks in a mates tank, does it also kill pathogens in the water? Can it assist in keeping my tank disease free?

It can assist with keeping pathogens at manageable numbers, but will not completely eradicate the problem. @Paul B and @Lowell Lemon know more about ozone than I do.

 

[melypr1985]

Agreed. You have no fish without scales so no worries there. Definitely dont put your QT attached to your sump. CP would be the way to go if you can. Get a canister filter for your QT it will be much easier to maintain water quality.... just keep it clean. :) Nice tank by the way :)