how long should inverts/coral be quarantined?

[peasofme]

also, how come fish need to only be qt'd 6 weeks if a tank needs to remain fishless for 8 weeks for it to be clear of ich? thanks

[Reefing Madness]

also, how come fish need to only be qt'd 6 weeks if a tank needs to remain fishless for 8 weeks for it to be clear of ich? thanks

No need to QT the inverts.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

also, how come fish need to only be qt'd 6 weeks if a tank needs to remain fishless for 8 weeks for it to be clear of ich? thanks

let's see if I get this right...The theory behind a 6 week quarantine for fish is that if already infected, the fish should show signs of the infection within the six weeks. The recommendation for an 8 week fallow period is because the tank is already infected. Which means that every stage of the lifecycle of ich is present (or has to be assumed to be present) in the tank already. Since The average lifecycle of ich (from cyst to free swimming parasite, to feeding on a fish, to a pregnant parasite, back to a cyst) can last around 60 days, the 8 week fallow period is to be 99.9% sure the parasite has died off.

[leebca]

James is right-on.

Regarding the quarantine of immobile invertebrates/corals, it is best to post this question in the Reef Forum. There are a variety of hitchhikers that come with these marine lifeforms that are undesirable which may or may not affect the well being of the invert/coral.