Getting ready to hypo.....

[jasonmarc]

Hi everyone - just wanted to check in on my first attempt at a hypo treatment...
I've read, re-read, and re-re-read the process on how to do it... so I think I'm all set there. But because I'm somewhat of a worrier: should I expect anything from the fish behavior-wise? I mean, should they continue to eat as per normal, etc? Just wondered if I should start to worry if the fish start acting differently...
Also - would it be better to do a water-change (I'm calculating doing 5 gallons at a time on a 44 gal, which should take 7 "changes" to reach 1.0093) or to siphon out and siphon in simultaneously? I mean, have a drain airline pulling water out from one part, with the fresh going into the tank at the other side at the same time? I was thinking that might be less shocking - it would take longer, but would be less shocking. I'm taking the level down with fresh water that I'll test and buffer to match the alkalinity/temp of the tank before the swap.
Stock is 2 false percs, firefish and a wheeler's watchman....
I guess I'm just stressing out over futzing with the tank.
Thanks.
Jason

 

[dadszx7]

I would do small water changes, rather than siphon in/out.
just make sure the temp/salinity is the same during waterchanges. Do water testing everyday.
Add to their food some garlic, that will boost there immune system during the process of hypo.

 

[jasonmarc]

Thanks dad - I assume you didn't mean the salinity should be the same - otherwise there's no point of changing... right? lol

 

[beth]

Expect the fish to be hungrier, so you should feed them more. They will also get more active, once the parasites drop.
Try just doing 1 gal water changes a day, making sure that your change water is exactly 1.009. Are you using a refractometer?

 

[sepulatian]

I did several one gallon per day changes to bring my 55 down in 48 hrs replenishing what I took out with purely freshwater.

 

[tankyou]

Originally Posted by JasonMarc
Hi everyone - just wanted to check in on my first attempt at a hypo treatment...
I've read, re-read, and re-re-read the process on how to do it... so I think I'm all set there. But because I'm somewhat of a worrier: should I expect anything from the fish behavior-wise? I mean, should they continue to eat as per normal, etc? Just wondered if I should start to worry if the fish start acting differently...
Yes, and funny you should mention it. I just posted this on the "my hyposaline adventure" thread (post #32)

 

[dadszx7]

I meant once you get the gravity down to 1.009. I can't stress how important it is. That when you do water changes, once you reach 1.009. That the gravity of the new water is exactly 1.009.
Of the subject: Tankyou, What island are you on?
A Hui Hou'

 

[jasonmarc]

Originally Posted by Beth
Expect the fish to be hungrier, so you should feed them more. They will also get more active, once the parasites drop.
Try just doing 1 gal water changes a day, making sure that your change water is exactly 1.009. Are you using a refractometer?

Thanks Beth, et al. I am using a refractometer (love it! don't know why I didn't listen to you guys sooner about them

) But I'm confused about the 1 gal changes at 1.009 - or did oyu mean get it to that? I was at 1.027 (damn hydrometers!) and this morning changed 5 gal with fresh (up to temp and matching alk... pH was SLIGHTLY higher but that's ok - I was running a little on the low end with that anyway). Like I mentioned, it's a FO 44gal pent. tank. With decor, sand, etc it holds 40 gals.
I changed 5 gals this morning, which gave me a reading of 1.0236. The way I calculate it, over the next couple of days (doing 3 changes daily of 5 gals per change - work schedule doesn't allow for more than that!) I should be reading the following levels:
1.0207
1.0181
1.0158
1.0138
1.0121
1.0106
1.0093
So I'm guessing by saturday I'll be at 1.009. Does that sound appropriate? I mean, my math may be off - I went to public schools... :notsure:
And my Lord, if they get HUNGRIER and more active, it's going to be like a school of pirhanna in there. The firefish has had maybe half a dozen spots for about a week now, occasionally scratching, and they're not going away and slowly increasing, and my watchman has been flashing on and off, so I figured I'd jump on it before they take off and take over. I also know I have some pretty hardy type fish in there, so I'm not TOO worried about the low level for the month or so necessary...
And Tankyou, I've been following your adventure ***)
Ok - not enough coffee yet and obviously I'm enjoying the smilies WAY too much...
Seriously, thanks for the advice so far....
Jason

 

[dadszx7]

Once you start, you must lower the specific gravity to 1.009 in 48 hours. So that would be Saturday morning. And must be at 1.009, not 1.0093. the parasite can still live at 1.0093. But am not 100% sure on that.
Not to nitpick, but I did it. And didn't work correctly, and will have to do it again. When I move the tank.

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by dadszx7
Once you start, you must lower the specific gravity to 1.009 in 48 hours. So that would be Saturday morning. And must be at 1.009, not 1.0093. the parasite can still live at 1.0093. But am not 100% sure on that.
Not to nitpick, but I did it. And didn't work correctly, and will have to do it again. When I move the tank.
Yes, you want it at 1.009 or slightly under, but not above in 48hrs time.