C-Reefer's Journey Into The Dark Side

[C-Reefer]

Maintnence day and mushroom propogation experiment!

I'm seeing amazing growth on the brown birdsnest, and I'm excited as its coloring up! Its polyps are turning PURPLE! Yes, bright purple! I'm hoping the whole thing eventually turns that color. Its encrusting fast and super growth too. I love my blue birdsnest a lot though too. My green plate monti is I think growing well as a gap in it seems a bit smaller. Everything else is happy and growing! My GSP is quickly taking over the rock. Its almost completely over one half of it. I can definitely see how its a weed and I'm glad its not on my main rock!

Encrusting birdsnest. I broke off the monti digi by accident so just layed it there lol. Its got great growth already as you can see! Its the orangey one.

The Duncans new heads are growing so fast. I'm seeing calcified bases on the polyps now.

NEON anyone? I love this coral so much. I want it to grow out into a big ball up there.

One of my favorite corals. I need a pocillipora though.

Ayyyyy FTS Sunday

Slice and Dice experiment Sunday, March 8. Started with a shroom about 3/4" when fully open.

Wearing gloves and safety goggles, I sliced him up. It was a lot harder then I thought as I had to slice it off the rock, and my gloves kept getting in the way

Finally got it into four pieces. I -think- I got a piece of the mouth and foot on each one but I'm not sure. They stunk! They're guts spilled out and it was nasty.

I got a glass jar, and put larger pieces of rubble in, and filled it half full of water, then just dumped them in

I forgot about the slime!! And put them right in the tank. As of right now they're looking good, they were sliming somethings fierce when I put them in and it made my galaxea mad, lots of sweepers but everything else looks fine. They're colored up and look like they've closed a bit! Hopefully they quickly heal and grab onto the live rock.

 

[C-Reefer]

The mushrooms are doing great this morning! They're all in little circles and not leaking slime or guts anymore. I can still see where they've been cut but if they continue to heal this fast in a few days they should be completely good to go. I'll wait until they get about the size of the one I fragged and then frag them all again! So from 1, to 4, to 16, to 32! I think its supposed to take like 2 months for them to get that size so it will take a while but I also have 2 other large mushrooms I'm going to frag if these continue to work out, and they're big enough I'll cut em up into 6-7 pieces.

I need to order those meds and pick up the tank but I'm not in that much of a hurry to get QT setup. I figure the 2 months while GobiWans out won't be that big of a deal as I almost never see him anymore and I can always get more corals haha. Corals on my wanted list are pocillipora, RBTA, acans or zoas, a torch, and something like a favia or favite.

 

[C-Reefer]

Sliced mushrooms are doing quite well, two are almost completely healed into little mushrooms, one still has a few guts showing and the other one is just healing slowly. I'm definitely feeling more confident. If these continue to grow I have two more I'm willing to cut up, and they're big enough I can get 5-6 pieces at least off of them. I will still have 4-5 full sized mushrooms that will look good while these grow out. I'm guessing slicing up my Yuma isn't a good idea as they get infections easy?

Got my QT tank in last night! Just a plain jane 10 gallon aqueon. I'll try and get the meds ordered tonight, Amazon Prime so they'll be here by Friday if I get it done tonight, I'll do a leak test and cut up some PVC pipes, make sure my HOB works while its leak testing. I kind of want to try QTing a batch of Cardinal tetras for my FW first, just to get an idea of what I need, but I really want to get GobiWan out and my DT started laying fallow as I want clowns again. Will I get valuable experience with doing a batch of tetras first as opposed to jumping right into GobiWans QT?

Also, if I treat for ich, as the clowns had ich, do I still need to do the daily w/cs even though he hasn't showed any signs? Since he's thick skinned is it possible for him to have the parasites on him, but not showing signs and it not affecting him, but when I put more fish in with him he'll transfer them? Or is it if they don't have ich they don't have it? Do ya'll think its a good idea to just go ahead and do a ich treatment with Paraguard even though he isn't showing signs?

I guess I'll just keep talking on here by myself until someone finds my thread haha.

 

[C-Reefer]

I JUST WON THE SKIM AND DOSE GIVEAWAY ALKDFJXGFDKJGSH!!!! FIRST GIVEAWAY I'VE EVER WON! OMG I'M DYING

 

[CastAway]

I JUST WON THE SKIM AND DOSE GIVEAWAY ALKDFJXGFDKJGSH!!!! FIRST GIVEAWAY I'VE EVER WON! OMG I'M DYING

Dude! You deserve it! Congrats!!!!

 

[C-Reefer]

Thank you!!! I'm not sure what I'll do with it... I'll definitely be keeping the dosing container as with my tank filling up I'm sure I will see alk starting dropping soon. The skimmer. I'm not sure what to think as I feel like such a big skimmer on my little 20 would be way overboard, and also since I am going to be/mainly a LPS/softie with a few easy SPS a slightly dirty tank is better I think. Also, I don't have a sump but I could always put it under my stand, run a line from my tank into the skimmer, and then the pump just pumps the water back up. What do you think I should do?

 

[C-Reefer]

So.... I was originally going to get these three meds for my QT. Keep in mind I'll be using this for both FW and SW. Correct me if I'm wrong on what these should be used for

Kordon Rid Ich + (brook, ich, velvet)
Prazi (flukes/internal parasites)
Paraguard (bacterial infections, fungus, easy ich cases)

However, I'm getting conflicting info on the Paraguard. I've had one person suggest copper, but wouldn't Paraguard or Rid Ich+ do the same thing? What meds do you guys like to keep on hand? I think for the YWG when I get these meds I'll pull from DT and put in QT,let him settle down for a few days, and do a Prazi treatment. Then, when thats done I'll do I think a Rid Ich+ treatment which should kill any ich or brook that was sticking around. Will these meds work? What should I do with Paraguard? I'm really confused on these meds. Will the three meds I listed ahead work for ich, brook, velvet, internal parasites, infections, and bacterial issues? Both SW and FW?

 

[CastAway]

Hey Colin, meet @Humblefish. Personally, I don’t QT, but know I should. Let’s see what his input is on your regimen...

 

[C-Reefer]

Thank you @CastAway ! I need some help haha. I hadn't ever QTed before even though I've been extensive on the SW side of things... but it was the fact that the YWG could still be carrying brook and ich, and when I got more fish they get infected that put me over. Also losing both clowns as I really don't want to do that again.

 

[C-Reefer]

Background for @Humblefish . I had two clowns, one got sick, brook I'm pretty sure and died. I thought it was just something normal, and let it go. I figured since nobody else showed symptoms nobody else was sick (dumb). about 2 weeks later the second clown died of ich and brook. It was very fast. He showed symptoms in the morning, and the next afternoon he was gone.

I have a 10 gallon QT I'm setting up for the first time ever.

I went ahead and ordered Prazi Pro and Rid Ich Plus. QT is heating and mixing right now. I'm going to use half DT water half new clean water. I want to go ahead and get the Rid Ich Plus over with so I know he's clean of ich and brook, and then I'll do the Prazi treatment. Since he doesn't have visible ich, can I just dose to the proper level, and leave it in there without doing water changes? @Humblefish is it OK to do a long term Formalin bath with Rid Ich Plus in QT instead of baths? The problem is.... my QT is 10 gallons. It would get expensive fast to do 3-4 baths and clean and replace all the water in QT every time. How do I treat proactively since I don't see any symptoms, but need to make sure I eliminate both the brook and ich?

For the DT laying fallow, I'm pretty sure, and have diagnosis from others that the clowns had ich and brook. You say for brook, a fallow period of 6 weeks. For ich, 76 days. So I should wait at least 2 1/2 months? Should I feed like I normally would, except feed it to the corals instead of how I used to feed it to the YWG?

For gas exchange in QT I'm running water level about 2 inches below Aqueon QF30 output, and will be running a tetra whisper 40 airpump. I would prefer to do an in QT treatment instead of baths as he will be in my room where I see him constantly.

Will Rid Ich+ kill regular ich? Or only black ich?

Can I use plastic wrap as a lid? That way I can get all the little holes around power cords, HOB and stuff. Also it will keep evap to a minimum. I'm assuming after I finish the treatment to either put activated carbon in or do a 100% water change?

Ordered three pounds of reef ready rock from BRS. Thinking back on it that was dumb as I should have just gone to my LFS and picked up the rock I want... oh well. It was only $8. Anyways I'll be replacing the rock on the far left front with a bonsai style structure. I want more sand space and that rock is out of place, square so not much coral room and I don't really like it.

 

[Humblefish]

@C-Reefer I wouldn't use formalin on a fish unless absolutely necessary; i.e. emergency relief for velvet, brook, uronema OR to treat for prazi resistant flukes & turbellarians.

If you are looking for a chemical to prophylactically treat for ich/velvet, then copper is a better choice: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/copper-treatment.193343/

While still a poison, copper is the lesser of two evils compared to using formalin on fish.

 

[C-Reefer]

@Humblefish how am I supposed to treat for brook then? I know I need to treat him for it, or he could still be carrying it and after the fallow period I put him in DT and put clowns in again and they get brook.... I couldn't find any other options for brook.

 

[C-Reefer]

@C-Reefer I wouldn't use formalin on a fish unless absolutely necessary; i.e. emergency relief for velvet, brook, uronema OR to treat for prazi resistant flukes & turbellarians.

If you are looking for a chemical to prophylactically treat for ich/velvet, then copper is a better choice: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/copper-treatment.193343/

While still a poison, copper is the lesser of two evils compared to using formalin on fish.

Also, I'm having a very hard time finding Acriflavine-MS or Ruby Reef Rally so Acriflavine is not an option I don't think. Copper won't treat brook will it? What meds would you suggest instead. ARgghhhhh I already ordered Rid Ich Plus

 

[Humblefish]

@Humblefish how am I supposed to treat for brook then? I know I need to treat him for it, or he could still be carrying it and after the fallow period I put him in DT and put clowns in again and they get brook.... I couldn't find any other options for brook.

Also, I'm having a very hard time finding Acriflavine-MS or Ruby Reef Rally so Acriflavine is not an option I don't think. Copper won't treat brook will it? What meds would you suggest instead. ARgghhhhh I already ordered Rid Ich Plus

You can mix metro w/copper for treating brook: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/metronidazole.298762/

 

[C-Reefer]

You can mix metro w/copper for treating brook: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/metronidazole.298762/

So I should cancel the Rid Ich+ order and get a copper test kit, copper, and metroplex?

Will it be more cost effective to get the stuff and not the Rid Ich? Will YWG be good with Rid Ich?

 

[Humblefish]

So I should cancel the Rid Ich+ order and get a copper test kit, copper, and metroplex?

Will it be more cost effective to get the stuff and not the Rid Ich? Will YWG be good with Rid Ich?

Rid Ich might still be useful to you down the road if you were to encounter velvet, brook or uronema...

I don't "like" using formalin, but nothing is more effective against "surface" parasites & worms in an emergency situation.

But I would order the other meds as well, plus a copper test kit.

 

[C-Reefer]

Rid Ich might still be useful to you down the road if you were to encounter velvet, brook or uronema...

I don't "like" using formalin, but nothing is more effective against "surface" parasites & worms in an emergency situation.

But I would order the other meds as well, plus a copper test kit.

What should I use to go ahead and treat the YWG for brook and ich?

So I need a metro med, a copper test kit, and a copper med? Which metro/copper meds do you prefer? Thank you so much for helping me!

Edit:
After doing a bit of research, it appears Seachem MetroPlex is the easiest to get, and will have enough to keep me in stock for a long time.

For the copper, there's two options. Cupramine and a Salifert Test kit is $20.50. Mardel Coppersafe and an API test kit is $16.50. Is the cupramine/salifert worth the extra money?

 

[Humblefish]

What should I use to go ahead and treat the YWG for brook and ich?

Since you believe he might have been exposed to brook, but is not showing any symptoms... I would treat with copper for 30 days and metro for 10 days. You can safely combine both medications. That regimen will address ich, velvet, brook & uronema so you should be covered no matter what.

For the copper, there's two options. Cupramine and a Salifert Test kit is $20.50. Mardel Coppersafe and an API test kit is $16.50. Is the cupramine/salifert worth the extra money?

There is currently some ongoing controversy regarding Coppersafe/chelated copper: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/c...instruments-high-range-copper-checker.368943/

So, until we get it all sorted out I recommend using Cupramine/Salifert.

 

[C-Reefer]

The metro and copper will kill the brook and ich?

I will use salifert and seachem cupramine.

So I slowly raise copper to 0.4 ppm over 5-6 days, and then start the clock for 30 days. When 20 days have gone by I start metro treatment. What other diseases will metro treat? Why do I need to keep the Rid Ich and not return it if copper and metro treat brook, velvet, ich, and uronema? Can I use copper and metro in freshwater for ich or velvet? Should I treat copper proactively in both SW and FW QT from now on for new fish?

I guess I'll be ordering Cupramine, Salifert copper test kit, and Metro. This is going to be expensive. No more corals this month.

 

[Humblefish]

The metro and copper will kill the brook and ich?

Yes

What other diseases will metro treat? Why do I need to keep the Rid Ich and not return it if copper and metro treat brook, velvet, ich, and uronema? Can I use copper and metro in freshwater for ich or velvet? Should I treat copper proactively in both SW and FW QT from now on for new fish?

More info on metro: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/metronidazole.298762/

The formalin found in Rid Ich provides faster (albeit temporary) relief for parasites than using metro. If a fish is showing active signs of velvet, brook or uronema. After performing a 45 min bath using Rid Ich, placing the fish in a sterile QT and dosing Metronidazole for 10-14 days “finishes the job” for treating brook & uronema. For velvet (and ich) use copper for 30 days.

Copper (in reduced dosage) also treats both FW ich & velvet, but I am not sure what benefit (if any) metro provides for treating freshwater diseases.

Whether or not to use copper as a prophylaxis is a hotly debated topic. IMO; Whether or not to prophylactically treat has more to do with YOU than the FISH.

Are you an overly observant person? Will you notice little things like elevated breathing, head twitching, yawning, etc. which necessitates further investigation/treatment? Do you have 15-20 minutes every single day to sit in front of your QT to watch for scratching, flashing, swimming into the flow of a powerhead, etc. etc.? If so, passive observation might just work for you.

However, if you are always on the go, busy/hectic schedule or just don't notice the little things; then it would be wise to implement some form of prophylaxis when it comes to diseases.

This article provides further insight: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/how-to-quarantine.232/