How much do you "trust" a fallow period?

[DarthChaos]

We all know the information...but how much do you trust it?

I'm done my 7th week fallow tomorrow....got Velvet. And I'm not gonna lie, I'm extremely nervous to readd fish, to the tank.

Plan this week is to get some FW mollies and convert them to salt - then add them and watch.

Anyone have feedback on fallow periods? Do you go longer, than recommended? Do you trust the process or use test fish??

 

[jabberwock]

The biggest factors with disease in my opinion are aggression, stress, and nutrition.

 

[exnisstech]

I'm confident after doing it. I went 80 days after a velvet out break. I was nervous as well so I waited. I was lucky and was able to save a few fish that had been with me for 4-5 years. I lost a lot also. That was 2 maybe three years ago. The purple, hippo, and naso are my oldest fish that I was able to save. Everything has been fine and I've even moved everything into a new larger tank.

 

[DarthChaos]

The biggest factors with disease in my opinion are aggression, stress, and nutrition.

I agree....for the most part.

I ran a pretty solid tank - UV, homemade food, good balance of fish. No issues whatsoever....but Velvet, Brook - it's not something 95% of fish can fight "naturally".

Now - with reintroducing fish (ANY new fish) - stress is an automatic factor.....thus, if there is a parasite - it's going to attack the fish and win, more often than not.

I dont stress Ich - never have. As you said, it can be managed quite easily.....but Velvet and Brook - aren't something I'd recommend anyone to play with.

 

[MnFish1]

Yes - I believe those fallow periods. Yes - I would be nervous about adding more fish back. Yes - I would personally 'overdo' the fallow period - though it's not rational to do so.

 

[MnFish1]

I agree....for the most part.

I ran a pretty solid tank - UV, homemade food, good balance of fish. No issues whatsoever....but Velvet, Brook - it's not something 95% of fish can fight "naturally".

Now - with reintroducing fish (ANY new fish) - stress is an automatic factor.....thus, if there is a parasite - it's going to attack the fish and win, more often than not.

I dont stress Ich - never have. As you said, it can be managed quite easily.....but Velvet and Brook - aren't something I'd recommend anyone to play with.

Ich has killed many many fish - it's not 'easily managed' by most people. However, agree it is less mortal than velvet.

 

[skey44]

I think adding some black mollies is a good test

 

[MnFish1]

I think adding some black mollies is a good test

Actually, @Jay Hemdal has written on this - there are plusses and minuses. Hopefully he will weigh in

 

[skey44]

Going to QT all the new fish? Got any fish ready to put back in, Or starting from scratch again?

 

[vetteguy53081]

We all know the information...but how much do you trust it?

I'm done my 7th week fallow tomorrow....got Velvet. And I'm not gonna lie, I'm extremely nervous to readd fish, to the tank.

Plan this week is to get some FW mollies and convert them to salt - then add them and watch.

Anyone have feedback on fallow periods? Do you go longer, than recommended? Do you trust the process or use test fish??

I do. Its purpose is to starve any parasites by removing a needed host fish for reproduction. Take away its food source/needs and they perish

 

[DarthChaos]

Going to QT all the new fish? Got any fish ready to put back in, Or starting from scratch again?

100%

I had 4 survivors - treated with copper and living peacefully in my new QT tank.

I'll be treating every single untreated fish - absolutely never taking the risks again. I lost so much........I dont wanna ever relive it.

 

[skey44]

Sorry for your loss. I see why you’re hesitant. Sounds like you’re on the right track. No harm in waiting longer if everyone is happy in QT.

 

[DarthChaos]

Actually, @Jay Hemdal has written on this - there are plusses and minuses. Hopefully he will weigh in

Now I'm curious?

I thought it was all positives with mollies?

I know you don't want already SW converted - as they can be more resistant to SW parasites. But my understanding was that FW converts - were the best way to tell, if the parasite was still present.

I just don't want to add nice fish back - and find out the parasites still there.....my biggest fear right now.

 

[Miami Reef]

I wouldn’t bother with the mollies. If you did 76 days, that’s much longer than the standard 6 week recommendation that’s been the new standard.

Trust that you did the best you can. If the mollie gets infected, it puts the fallow period back anyway.

If you didn’t add any corals or inverts, and kept the time period, it’s very unlikely it’ll fail.

 

[KrisReef]

Going to QT all the new fish? Got any fish ready to put back in, Or starting from scratch again?

Scratch? Scratching fish are a symptom of many things?

It’s always stressful when restarting a fish tank after a disaster.

I think the issue with many tanks is connected with our instincts to add more livestock over time. That’s what I have learned about myself anyways.

Caution is an admirable response, imo.

 

[skey44]

Scratch? Scratching fish are a symptom of many things?

It’s always stressful when restarting a fish tank after a disaster.

I think the issue with many tanks is connected with our instincts to add more livestock over time. That’s what I have learned about myself anyways.

Caution is an admirable response, imo.

Scratch here used as an unfortunate figure of speech. I meant “starting with zero or no fish ready to go in the tank?” He answered me with the list of fish in his QT that survived.

 

[Luisn17]

It worked for me when I had an outbreak of velvet. I maintained the temperature at 80.6 for the whole time, I actually waited an additional week because I was afraid. Humble fish also says to blow the rocks and stir the sand to prevent anything for going dormant.

 

[gbroadbridge]

We all know the information...but how much do you trust it?

I'm done my 7th week fallow tomorrow....got Velvet. And I'm not gonna lie, I'm extremely nervous to readd fish, to the tank.

Plan this week is to get some FW mollies and convert them to salt - then add them and watch.

Anyone have feedback on fallow periods? Do you go longer, than recommended? Do you trust the process or use test fish??

If performed correctly it is 100% effective.

However many folks do not correctly follow the procedure and allow spread by use of contaminated tools or equipment and then state that the fallow period did not work.

You need to use very tight containment procedures.

 

[threebuoys]

I think adding some black mollies is a good test

So, do you plan to QT the mollies before you add them to the tank in case they are carriers? How long will you keep the mollies in the tank before you feel the test is complete? I know mollies are fresh / brackish water fish, but why introduce another variable into the equation if you've diligently followed the fallow protocol?

 

[GARRIGA]

Wouldn't a microbiome test confirm full eradication? I know that's in the early stages and no guarantee test case not fouled but it's a start in that any present means extending that period.