Rediculous Fallow Question!

Pigpen17 · 03/19/2015, 11:14 AM

I know the answer to this, but I just have to ask.

I broke down my tank to get new carpets installed. I decided to go fallow for Ich while I'm doing it. My fish showed no signs, but I had seen two white dots at different times for a day, so I suspect it's in there.

The question. I took out my rocks and scrubbed them down for GHA and replaced all the water and sand bed. Will this shorten my fallow time?

Clowny88 · 03/19/2015, 11:19 AM

How long did you go fallow for?

Waters40 · 03/19/2015, 11:22 AM

It might in theory shorten the time since you removed the water and sand bed but unfortunately all it takes is one parasite that was missed to start the cycle again. If you are going to take the time to go fallow, you may as well see it to the end.

thejuggernaut · 03/19/2015, 11:36 AM

What is in the tank? If there isn't anything but rock then tear it down and clean it and let it dry. I usually bleach and acid wash my rock if I tear down a tank. If there are corals in it you have to just let it sit for 3 months. No two ways about it. But if you aren't going to treat all incoming fish with either copper or tank transfer and keep all new corals in a separate coral only qt for 12 weeks before putting it in the main display, then you are just wasting your time and should put your fish back in the tank, because you will get it back in the tank the next time you buy a fish or coral.

Pigpen17 · 03/19/2015, 02:15 PM

I've been fallow for about 5 weeks. The tank has a CUC, Shrimp, Serpent Star and A crab and Xeina. so draining and drying is not really what I want to do. I would rather just wait than do that. I knew that would be the answer, but I was hopeful there was a chance it could shorten the time. Reason is I have aggression in my QT tank. Gonna have to split some folks up.

Sk8r · 03/19/2015, 02:36 PM

12 weeks with no fish. You can have all the corals and inverts you like. For the qt situation, try partitions of white eggcrate lighting grid from the hardware store.

Pigpen17 · 03/19/2015, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

12 weeks with no fish. You can have all the corals and inverts you like. For the qt situation, try partitions of white eggcrate lighting grid from the hardware store.

Thanks. Yeah I have a bunch in the garage. Maybe I'll do that. I also have an extra 10g tank. Anyways. In for the long haul.

The worst part is just not being sure. It was all due to a fish in QT I know was sick. I used a net in the QT, and then scooped out some gunk in my DT with it about 5 min later. I realized what I had done the next day. A few days later there was a single white dot on my Midas Blenny's fin. It went away in a day or two, but I have figured I had Ich ever since. That one single dot, and now I'm in for 72 days. Horrible beasts these Ich.

Clowny88 · 03/19/2015, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pigpen17

Thanks. Yeah I have a bunch in the garage. Maybe I'll do that. I also have an extra 10g tank. Anyways. In for the long haul.

The worst part is just not being sure. It was all due to a fish in QT I know was sick. I used a net in the QT, and then scooped out some gunk in my DT with it about 5 min later. I realized what I had done the next day. A few days later there was a single white dot on my Midas Blenny's fin. It went away in a day or two, but I have figured I had Ich ever since. That one single dot, and now I'm in for 72 days. Horrible beasts these Ich.

Ah OK... This makes more sense on your situation. Yeah its unfortunate, but it will solve your problems long term (remember.. Patience?).

I'm 4 weeks into my fallow. It flies. I actually am using this opportunity to upgrade tanks and add a sump. I'm spending more time on the boards and just sponging up info while i wait too.

kmbyrnes · 03/20/2015, 06:40 AM

I feel your pain. Only 12 days left to go.
Stick it out, the result will be worth it as long as you are strict about QT going forward.

ca1ore · 03/20/2015, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pigpen17

The question. I took out my rocks and scrubbed them down for GHA and replaced all the water and sand bed. Will this shorten my fallow time?

The question really is whether removing and scrubbing the rocks and replacing the sand will guarantee elimination of all ich cysts! The answer, of course, is no! So, what's worse than having to fallow your tank for 72 days? Answer: having to do it twice

tmz · 03/20/2015, 10:49 AM

No. A cyst can remain viable for up to 72 days( that was in cooler water) but cutting down the time carries risk. It only takes one.

Pigpen17 · 03/20/2015, 03:28 PM

Thanks. Yeah, I need to just forget about that idea.

03/19/2015, 11:14 AM	#1
Pigpen17 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Tacoma, Wa. Posts: 1,006	Rediculous Fallow Question! I know the answer to this, but I just have to ask. I broke down my tank to get new carpets installed. I decided to go fallow for Ich while I'm doing it. My fish showed no signs, but I had seen two white dots at different times for a day, so I suspect it's in there. The question. I took out my rocks and scrubbed them down for GHA and replaced all the water and sand bed. Will this shorten my fallow time? __________________ Never trust a man with a castle in his tank. 56g Column \|Aquamaxx HOB-1 Skimmer \|Reef Breeders Photon 24 LED \|850gph Koralia (X2) \| Maxspect Gyre XF130

03/19/2015, 02:15 PM	#5
Pigpen17 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Tacoma, Wa. Posts: 1,006	I've been fallow for about 5 weeks. The tank has a CUC, Shrimp, Serpent Star and A crab and Xeina. so draining and drying is not really what I want to do. I would rather just wait than do that. I knew that would be the answer, but I was hopeful there was a chance it could shorten the time. Reason is I have aggression in my QT tank. Gonna have to split some folks up. __________________ Never trust a man with a castle in his tank. 56g Column \|Aquamaxx HOB-1 Skimmer \|Reef Breeders Photon 24 LED \|850gph Koralia (X2) \| Maxspect Gyre XF130

03/19/2015, 02:36 PM	#6
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	12 weeks with no fish. You can have all the corals and inverts you like. For the qt situation, try partitions of white eggcrate lighting grid from the hardware store. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

03/20/2015, 06:40 AM	#9
kmbyrnes Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 2,055	I feel your pain. Only 12 days left to go. Stick it out, the result will be worth it as long as you are strict about QT going forward. __________________ 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

03/20/2015, 10:49 AM	#11
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	No. A cyst can remain viable for up to 72 days( that was in cooler water) but cutting down the time carries risk. It only takes one. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.

03/19/2015, 11:19 AM	#2
Clowny88 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: N. Illinois Posts: 270	How long did you go fallow for?

03/19/2015, 11:22 AM	#3
Waters40 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 299	It might in theory shorten the time since you removed the water and sand bed but unfortunately all it takes is one parasite that was missed to start the cycle again. If you are going to take the time to go fallow, you may as well see it to the end.

03/19/2015, 11:36 AM	#4
thejuggernaut Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lake Jackson, Tx Posts: 548	What is in the tank? If there isn't anything but rock then tear it down and clean it and let it dry. I usually bleach and acid wash my rock if I tear down a tank. If there are corals in it you have to just let it sit for 3 months. No two ways about it. But if you aren't going to treat all incoming fish with either copper or tank transfer and keep all new corals in a separate coral only qt for 12 weeks before putting it in the main display, then you are just wasting your time and should put your fish back in the tank, because you will get it back in the tank the next time you buy a fish or coral.

03/20/2015, 03:28 PM	#12
Pigpen17 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Tacoma, Wa. Posts: 1,006	Thanks. Yeah, I need to just forget about that idea. __________________ Never trust a man with a castle in his tank. 56g Column \|Aquamaxx HOB-1 Skimmer \|Reef Breeders Photon 24 LED \|850gph Koralia (X2) \| Maxspect Gyre XF130