Lorraine's Rebuilding of 125 gal Tank

[saltwaterfarm]

I'm glad you were able to get those fish out easily. With a little patience and determination... you will get the others too. I feel so bad for all the trouble you have had. I hope this ends it for you. Be sure to leave the fish in QT long enough for all of the Ich to "die off". Six to eight weeks I think. I don't think that any of the inverts will be effected by the Ich itself. Hopefully someone else will chime in with a definite answer on those. Good luck Lorraine. Karma at ya!

[bluespotjawfish]

Thanks Lisa, I never said it was easy getting those guys out. I spent hours saying here fishy, fishy, fishy, fishy... I'm sure I have plenty more hours to go before this is over. Thanks for the karma.

[lcstorc]

I am so sorry to hear about your troubles. Good call on the QT though. It is really the only way to truly beat the ich. Watch the qt carefully though. I had big time troubles keeping the parameters in check on mine when it was first set up. I was up to 50% water changes twice a day and still the amonia was out of control. Also keep in mind that to truly beat the ich your display will need to be without fish for 6-8 weeks. Don't put them back in too early or it is all for nothing.
I have had great success catching fish using an acrylic fish trap. It might be worth a few dollars to save you the time and aggrivation catching your remaining fish.
Karma to you for your troubles. I hope everything turns around soon.
Meanwhile my bluespot is doing great so far. He is lots of fun so far and thankfully is in a nice spot where I can watch him easily. I will try for more pics after work tonight so you can get your fix.

[Woodstock]

Lorraine, I am so sorry to hear about your problems. Karma to you for the strong effort!

[Dentoid]

Originally Posted by bluespotjawfish

Dentoid - So maybe I'll name my next Bluespot before I get him. His name will be "Jaws." 'Til then you have to share your's. No more broken heaters for either of us - ok?

LOL! My momma taught me to share, my BS is your BS, from afar. I don't think the inverts will be affected by the ich, but how are you going to get that plenum out without removing everything?

[bluespotjawfish]

Thanks guys, keep posting the BS pics so I can see what I am doing all of this for. I want one again someday. I hope the parameters stay ok. I am stocking up on test kits just in case, but I have really had enough of the WCs. My poor husband cleaned up everything so nice yesterday morning and I made messes everywhere and didn't get them cleaned up yet. I haven't ever seen the fish traps, but I'll check into those. I'm pretty sure I can catch the fox face eventually, but those other guys are pros. I'm going to have to remove all the corals and rock anyway to get to the plenum, so it may be how I eventually get them.

[Woodstock]

Hang in there!! Keep up the great work! We will keep cheering you on!!

[bluespotjawfish]

Thanks, thats what I need!

[bluespotjawfish]

Quick question - I set up the 30 gallon QT tonight, but the remaining fish are smarter than me again today, so there aren't any fish in it. I seeded the filter like the other one, but will that do any good if I don't have any fish in the tank? Should I move a few of the fish from the other tank into this one? So far, those fish are doing well, and I'd rather not bother them again. Ammonia in the 50 gallon tank was fine today, so no WC yet! Everyone in QT is eating, but the Angel and Palani are big hogs!

[lcstorc]

Glad things are going well with the QT.
I wouldn't worry about it being empty for a short time. If the fish continue to elude you for a few days then you might want to think about doing something.
P.S. Check the bluespot thread or my thread for new pics.

[Dentoid]

Lorraine someone posted some discouraging words on the BSC thread and while doing some research on the net I came across this, you may want to read it.

Marine Ich - Myths and Facts

I will be posting my research findings at the BSC thread when I am done on the net.

[bluespotjawfish]

Thanks for the article. I guess I am on the right track with what I am doing. It is very drastic, but hope it will end well for me and my tankmates! After going through all of this, every newbie will be required to be QT!

Looking forward to reading about your research on the BSJF. I posted my own experiences this am.

[Dentoid]

Yea, I got a bit lax on the QT of newbies and my Hippo got ich. I set up my QT very shortly after setting up my main display, just to not use it, after reading on RS that some of the advanced aquarists here don't QT. I debated on getting the Hippo because of its known suceptiblity to disease, but it looked so healthy at the LFS. He looks fine now, but it doesn't mean that it is gone for good, we'll see.

The best to you in getting rid of this dreaded parasite.

BTW, I'm looking into UV sterilizers, what brand did you install?

[bluespotjawfish]

I get my fish trap tomorrow. These fish are really smart! I got my copper test kit today, and the copper level was much lower than it is supposed to be at. My ammonia is up a bit today as well. So I did a WC and bumped the copper up. I also got a few plants for shelter, but these guys don't know what they are for. They keep asking me where the rocks are!

I have a Current 25w Gamma UV Sterilizer. Make sure you read how large it is. It comes with lots of adaptors, elbows, etc. to give you options on how to install it, but I still had to make a trip (or two) to Lowes because I needed it to fit a certain space and connect onto the refugium. You will also need tubing and a pump to run it. I am using 3/4 inch tubing and a Rio 1100, which also pumps water to my refugium. In the past, I swear I could tell by how my fish behaved when my bulb needed replacing!

Aquarium Ultraviolet Sterilizers: Gamma UV Sterilizer

[Dentoid]

Thanks! I am also cramped for space! I think I'm going to plumb it right to my return.