Praises of Tank Transfer Method

spechty · 03/30/2018, 09:41 AM

For those of you who dont really want to spend the money to invest in the equipment needed, or want to take your chances, I would like to share my experience.

I think putting this in financial terms might make more of an impact.

TTM investment = $85.00 (approx)

I purchased 2 five gallon tank setups from a major pet store. Got them when I had a coupon. So I paid about $35 for tank hood and hang on filter. I then purchased 2 pre-set heaters on a major online commerce company for about $12. PVC - like 3 bucks. I got a 4 ft piece I think its 1/12 inch

Total fish investment= $175.00 (approx)

So after losing 1 firefish, 1 clownfish, 1 royal gramma, 1 sixline wrasse, 1 green chromis to ick, and a mystery death, I decided to invest in the equipment for TTM.

So I re-purchased 1 firefish, 1 clownfish, 1 royal gramma, 1 sixline wrasse. (I did two at a time, not all four at once)

Its been several weeks after TTM and NO DEATHS NO ICK!!

It was about $93 for the fish that all died, and $82 for the repurchases.

Plus the emotional toll on my kids and the stress of having to run out to buy the replacements that were close enough in size to the originals, and lying to my kids that the fish were hiding!!

Baxterdawg1974 · 03/30/2018, 09:54 AM

I agree 100%. I have had tremendous success with the TTM. I tried hypo and did not work for me, to much of a pain and too little tolerance between right and wrong salinity levels that support success or failure.

For what its worth, i always moved my fish in the morning while they were asleep and lights off. Minimal stress with the move and then they had the morning to settle in under low light.

Wish i used this method sooner. I have lost hundreds of dollars of fish trying other methods

hkgar · 03/30/2018, 02:15 PM

I hope that you had the display tank fishless (fallow) for at least 72 days to insure that all Ick was gone from the water column?

I am a strong supporter of TTM after experiencing a tank wipe out from Ick. I did Hypo in the DT for the Yellow Tang that survived after removing all inverts to a QT tank.

spechty · 03/30/2018, 03:45 PM

@Baxterdawg1974
I usually did it in the early morning or late at night. whichever was before the 72 hour transfer time limit.

I also used water from the local store I got the fish. that way it was always consistent. and I didnt need to keep making water for every three days.

@hkgar

Yes I actually did 90 days. the way it worked out with $$.

Uncle99 · 03/30/2018, 05:07 PM

I have tried all three from time to time, all worked on hardy type fish like clowns, copper no good for delicate tangs, hypo was actually easier than I anticipated, quite successful on tangs, copper, not so much...

kmbyrnes · 03/31/2018, 07:05 AM

I became a TTM proponent after getting wiped out by ich on 2015.
Since then, I have fish that get came in sick or died in TTM or QT, but my DT was disease-free.
Until I read that I could skip TTM/QT on a Mandarin. I was wrong.
I lost 25 beautiful pets, worth thousands of dollars, because I didn't listen.

A TTM setup is the best money you can invest after you get the DT.

billdogg · 03/31/2018, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmbyrnes

A TTM setup is the best money you can invest after you get the DT.

This.

My TTM gear is 5g buckets, spare 50w heaters, and disposable airstones, and a couple of nets. When not in use, it all sits in a corner of the fishroom cleaned and ready.

Yellow Eyes · 03/31/2018, 08:12 AM

Looks like everyone agrees but I'll throw my hat in too. Easy process (in my opinion), cheap and great results.

I also used to do Prazi-Pro after the 1st and 3rd transfers.

Never had ich or any problems...could be luck...could be science.

Uncle99 · 03/31/2018, 10:48 AM

When we run into hardy type fish that are very infested with ick, we go copper always hoping for speed, approx 3-5 days for noticeable improvements

JTL · 03/31/2018, 11:12 AM

I use a couple of $10 storage tubs and put about 10g of water in each one. Plenty of room for multiple fish. I am also a fan of Prazipro on the 1st and 3rd transfer and a formalin dip at the very end for 45 minutes. I don't QT but rely on the 12 days of the ttm to spot any obvious problems.

I have heard that it is unlikely that a mandarin will bring any ich to the party because of their slime coat. Also it is very difficut to QT or even ttm these fish due to their eating habits.

Uncle99 · 03/31/2018, 11:31 AM

I have heard this as well, but I don’t agree, had one fall to ick so if they can catch it I think they can have it when transferred.

I QT the replacement for just two weeks feeding live pods I bought from LFS.

JTL · 03/31/2018, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle99

I have heard this as well, but I don’t agree, had one fall to ick so if they can catch it I think they can have it when transferred.

It is most likely one of those "chances are far less than with other fish" things which may be true but not too helpful when they do have and infect your tank. I just think the qt/ttm difficulty makes it more likely most people will run the risk.

hkgar · 03/31/2018, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmbyrnes

I became a TTM proponent after getting wiped out by ich on 2015.
Since then, I have fish that get came in sick or died in TTM or QT, but my DT was disease-free.
Until I read that I could skip TTM/QT on a Mandarin. I was wrong.
I lost 25 beautiful pets, worth thousands of dollars, because I didn't listen.

A TTM setup is the best money you can invest after you get the DT.

Sorry for your losses. When I got hit I only had a 90 with 10 fish.

Most skip the TTM with Mandarin because of the difficulty of feeding them. But it is a gamble.

kmbyrnes · 04/01/2018, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTL

I have heard that it is unlikely that a mandarin will bring any ich to the party because of their slime coat. Also it is very difficut to QT or even ttm these fish due to their eating habits.

I know from personal experience that Mandarins will bring ich and everything else in the kitchen sink in to a party. Invite one to your DT at your one peril.

JTL · 04/01/2018, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmbyrnes

I know from personal experience that Mandarins will bring ich and everything else in the kitchen sink in to a party. Invite one to your DT at your one peril.

I think you mean "can" not "will". Many have put them in directly into their tanks with no problems. Captive bred are likely a safe bet to be disease and ich free but they are also expensive. That is probably what I will get.

Thornbreaker · 04/02/2018, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spechty

So I re-purchased 1 firefish, 1 clownfish, 1 royal gramma, 1 sixline wrasse. (I did two at a time, not all four at once)

Did you run the firefish and royal gramma through at the same time? Wondering, because it's probably the next two fish I'll get, and I have no idea if they'll get along in 5 gallon buckets for 12 days together.

My 2 clowns have gone through TTM with no sign of ich, and I dosed prazi on transfers 2 and 4. Seem to be healthy and happy. DT is cycling now.

spechty · 04/02/2018, 03:16 PM

Thornbreaker,

No I did the firefish and 6 line. the 6 line pretty much left the firefish alone. But in my DT, the royal gramma made sure he let the firefish know who's side of the tank was whose! So they both pretty much hang in their respective sides of the DT. My six line could care less when the gramma opens his mouth and gills at him when the 6 line swims by.

You might want to keep an eye on the gramma and firefish in QT.

Thornbreaker · 04/04/2018, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spechty

Thornbreaker,

No I did the firefish and 6 line. the 6 line pretty much left the firefish alone. But in my DT, the royal gramma made sure he let the firefish know who's side of the tank was whose! So they both pretty much hang in their respective sides of the DT. My six line could care less when the gramma opens his mouth and gills at him when the 6 line swims by.

You might want to keep an eye on the gramma and firefish in QT.

Thanks, good to know. I'll probably just do those 1 at a time.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

kmbyrnes · 04/06/2018, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTL

I think you mean "can" not "will". Many have put them in directly into their tanks with no problems. Captive bred are likely a safe bet to be disease and ich free but they are also expensive. That is probably what I will get.

You are absolutely correct. I should have related only opinion.
The reason these forum existence is to debate and share experience.

hkgar · 04/06/2018, 12:37 PM

Will or can? Both can be correct. If you add enough fish they each individual CAN bring ick, but over time , with enough additions, one WILL bring Ick.

It took me six years to get that fish that brought the Ick - tank wipe out.

I always TTM now

kmbyrnes · 04/06/2018, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkgar

Will or can? Both can be correct. If you add enough fish they each individual CAN bring ick, but over time , with enough additions, one WILL bring Ick.

It took me six years to get that fish that brought the Ick - tank wipe out.

I always TTM now

CAN be correct. But WILL in infers an absolutely certain.

DougSupreme · 06/21/2018, 07:59 PM

I am getting ready to set up my new tank and am seriously considering TTM during the move. I currently have 7 fish and an eel. How would the logistics of the TTM work? Would I try to to do the majority of the fish at once? One at a time?

Thornbreaker · 06/22/2018, 10:09 AM

I believe there's a sticky for the TTM method now. A quick search will find it.

If you're fish are healthy Doug you shouldn't need to do it for a new tank in your own home. If you suspect ick or have that problem, then yes you'll want to TTM or set up a med tank that can hold 7 fish.

For new fish, definitely TTM. And anything from the 5 gallon bucket set ups to more elaborate is doable. Just keep in mind you're switching buckets/tanks and equipment every 72 hours, have to clean those tanks out, and make sure they dry at least 24 hours before reuse.
Probably easier and more efficient to do one fish or two smaller (friendly) fish at a time. And the more fish, the more poop so you have to really watch the ammonia.
I've done 2 juvy clowns in 5 gallon buckets, and they were fine.
Doubt I'd do 2 adult tangs that way in a 5 gallon.

zheka757 · 06/24/2018, 09:03 AM

how come no one cpmbine ttm with hyposalinity?
dosent it make sense to help in killing ick?

sde1500 · 06/24/2018, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zheka757

how come no one cpmbine ttm with hyposalinity?

dosent it make sense to help in killing ick?

Why bother when TTM alone works just fine?

03/30/2018, 09:41 AM	#1
spechty Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Breinigsville, PA Posts: 87	Praises of Tank Transfer Method For those of you who dont really want to spend the money to invest in the equipment needed, or want to take your chances, I would like to share my experience. I think putting this in financial terms might make more of an impact. TTM investment = $85.00 (approx) I purchased 2 five gallon tank setups from a major pet store. Got them when I had a coupon. So I paid about $35 for tank hood and hang on filter. I then purchased 2 pre-set heaters on a major online commerce company for about $12. PVC - like 3 bucks. I got a 4 ft piece I think its 1/12 inch Total fish investment= $175.00 (approx) So after losing 1 firefish, 1 clownfish, 1 royal gramma, 1 sixline wrasse, 1 green chromis to ick, and a mystery death, I decided to invest in the equipment for TTM. So I re-purchased 1 firefish, 1 clownfish, 1 royal gramma, 1 sixline wrasse. (I did two at a time, not all four at once) Its been several weeks after TTM and NO DEATHS NO ICK!! It was about $93 for the fish that all died, and $82 for the repurchases. Plus the emotional toll on my kids and the stress of having to run out to buy the replacements that were close enough in size to the originals, and lying to my kids that the fish were hiding!!

03/30/2018, 09:54 AM	#2
Baxterdawg1974 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 118	I agree 100%. I have had tremendous success with the TTM. I tried hypo and did not work for me, to much of a pain and too little tolerance between right and wrong salinity levels that support success or failure. For what its worth, i always moved my fish in the morning while they were asleep and lights off. Minimal stress with the move and then they had the morning to settle in under low light. Wish i used this method sooner. I have lost hundreds of dollars of fish trying other methods __________________ Brian

03/30/2018, 02:15 PM	#3
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	I hope that you had the display tank fishless (fallow) for at least 72 days to insure that all Ick was gone from the water column? I am a strong supporter of TTM after experiencing a tank wipe out from Ick. I did Hypo in the DT for the Yellow Tang that survived after removing all inverts to a QT tank. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

03/31/2018, 07:05 AM	#6
kmbyrnes Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 2,055	I became a TTM proponent after getting wiped out by ich on 2015. Since then, I have fish that get came in sick or died in TTM or QT, but my DT was disease-free. Until I read that I could skip TTM/QT on a Mandarin. I was wrong. I lost 25 beautiful pets, worth thousands of dollars, because I didn't listen. A TTM setup is the best money you can invest after you get the DT. __________________ 125g Mixed Reef 5/26/2015; 350 Butterfly Dominated FOWLR 11/26/2015 - 11/17/20217 & 07/31/18 to ??? ; 100g Mixed Reef 11/16/2013 to 06/16/2017 Current Tank Info: Too small

03/31/2018, 08:12 AM	#8
Yellow Eyes Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Glen Burnie, MD Posts: 236	Looks like everyone agrees but I'll throw my hat in too. Easy process (in my opinion), cheap and great results. I also used to do Prazi-Pro after the 1st and 3rd transfers. Never had ich or any problems...could be luck...could be science. __________________ "I never learned from a man who agreed with me" -Robert Heinlein Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon with Herbie overflow, 29 gallon sump with Cheato, Ecotech MP10wQD, Kessil A360WE, AquaC EV120, BRS 2 Part Dosing

03/30/2018, 03:45 PM	#4
spechty Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Breinigsville, PA Posts: 87	@Baxterdawg1974 I usually did it in the early morning or late at night. whichever was before the 72 hour transfer time limit. I also used water from the local store I got the fish. that way it was always consistent. and I didnt need to keep making water for every three days. @hkgar Yes I actually did 90 days. the way it worked out with $$.

03/30/2018, 05:07 PM	#5
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	I have tried all three from time to time, all worked on hardy type fish like clowns, copper no good for delicate tangs, hypo was actually easier than I anticipated, quite successful on tangs, copper, not so much...

03/31/2018, 10:48 AM	#9
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	When we run into hardy type fish that are very infested with ick, we go copper always hoping for speed, approx 3-5 days for noticeable improvements

03/31/2018, 11:12 AM	#10
JTL Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Venice Island, FL Posts: 2,532	I use a couple of $10 storage tubs and put about 10g of water in each one. Plenty of room for multiple fish. I am also a fan of Prazipro on the 1st and 3rd transfer and a formalin dip at the very end for 45 minutes. I don't QT but rely on the 12 days of the ttm to spot any obvious problems. I have heard that it is unlikely that a mandarin will bring any ich to the party because of their slime coat. Also it is very difficut to QT or even ttm these fish due to their eating habits. __________________ John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+.

03/31/2018, 11:31 AM	#11
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	I have heard this as well, but I don’t agree, had one fall to ick so if they can catch it I think they can have it when transferred. I QT the replacement for just two weeks feeding live pods I bought from LFS.

04/02/2018, 03:16 PM	#17
spechty Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Breinigsville, PA Posts: 87	Thornbreaker, No I did the firefish and 6 line. the 6 line pretty much left the firefish alone. But in my DT, the royal gramma made sure he let the firefish know who's side of the tank was whose! So they both pretty much hang in their respective sides of the DT. My six line could care less when the gramma opens his mouth and gills at him when the 6 line swims by. You might want to keep an eye on the gramma and firefish in QT.

04/06/2018, 12:37 PM	#20
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	Will or can? Both can be correct. If you add enough fish they each individual CAN bring ick, but over time , with enough additions, one WILL bring Ick. It took me six years to get that fish that brought the Ick - tank wipe out. I always TTM now __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

06/21/2018, 07:59 PM	#22
DougSupreme Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,226	I am getting ready to set up my new tank and am seriously considering TTM during the move. I currently have 7 fish and an eel. How would the logistics of the TTM work? Would I try to to do the majority of the fish at once? One at a time? __________________ Intelligence is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef

06/22/2018, 10:09 AM	#23
Thornbreaker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 334	I believe there's a sticky for the TTM method now. A quick search will find it. If you're fish are healthy Doug you shouldn't need to do it for a new tank in your own home. If you suspect ick or have that problem, then yes you'll want to TTM or set up a med tank that can hold 7 fish. For new fish, definitely TTM. And anything from the 5 gallon bucket set ups to more elaborate is doable. Just keep in mind you're switching buckets/tanks and equipment every 72 hours, have to clean those tanks out, and make sure they dry at least 24 hours before reuse. Probably easier and more efficient to do one fish or two smaller (friendly) fish at a time. And the more fish, the more poop so you have to really watch the ammonia. I've done 2 juvy clowns in 5 gallon buckets, and they were fine. Doubt I'd do 2 adult tangs that way in a 5 gallon.

06/24/2018, 09:03 AM	#24
zheka757 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: North Port Florida Posts: 283	how come no one cpmbine ttm with hyposalinity? dosent it make sense to help in killing ick?