do you quarantine?

[CPDzeke]

I qt plants, but don't have room to qt fish. I need to pick up a used 10g, sponge filter, and air pump from Tropiquatics to do that. Then I need to persuade my parents to let me put a tank in the basement for awhile.

[pmcarbrey]

I mean this in the least offensive way possible, but if you don't qt you're just asking to kill fish. Even if they come from a reputable breeder the stress of shipping can make them susceptible to diseases that otherwise never would be an issue. In the long run a qt tank will save you a lot of money and a lot of fish

[BarbH]

In the past I have not always been good about quarantining my fish. As I see it luckily I did not at that time introduce anything bad to the tank. Now I am getting ready to set up a 72 gallon which I will be quarantining all new fish before they go in the display in one of my empty 20 gallons. The way I see it it is easier to treat new additions before they are added to an established tank. Also with using a quarantine tank I believe that it allows a person to better observe the new additions to make sure they are healthy and eating well before adding them into the main tank. As for length of time it would depend on the source, a chain store like Petsmart, Petco and such I would quarantine for a longer time considering the fact that all the tanks are connected through the filtration system, something that is in one tank can spread to the others. Some of the LFS that are around me actually filter each tank separately, so with those fish I would probably quarantine them for less, but would still have some time of observation to make sure everything was okay.

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[In.a.Box]

No need to QT when u can speak to animal ^^

[Kitsune_Gem]

Depends on if you are talking fresh or salt, and where you get it from.
Salt yes, I always do for a longer time than what you have up
Fresh, depends on the source. Like I did not quarantine with Msjinkzd's fish, but I will with fish from stores.

[shift]

How long do you qt salt for? Do you have a second full setup or mini tank setup? Is it a full sump setup or bare basics?

[Kitsune_Gem]

Originally Posted by shift

How long do you qt salt for? Do you have a second full setup or mini tank setup? Is it a full sump setup or bare basics?

1. Some type of filtration (a hang on the back of the tank power filter will work, just use filter floss without the carbon since carbon will remove medication from the water, being counter productive)
2. Heater
3. A power head and/or an air stone for increased surface agitation
4. Aquarium test kits for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate
5. Fish Net - don't use the same net for your main tank
6.PVC pipes for hiding in since I do not use live rock in my qt tanks.
Usually 2-8 weeks, depends on what I am putting in the qt tank.

You have your display tank (Dp) and your Quarantine tank (Qt) so you have two tanks running. Now I only set up a qt when I plan on getting new fish, coral, ect, and I set it up and cycle it first before putting anything into it.
Ick in salt is so so much worse than in fresh, so you always want a qt tank set up for new fish.

[shift]

Originally Posted by pmcarbrey

I mean this in the least offensive way possible, but if you don't qt you're just asking to kill fish. Even if they come from a reputable breeder the stress of shipping can make them susceptible to diseases that otherwise never would be an issue. In the long run a qt tank will save you a lot of money and a lot of fish

Originally Posted by Kitsune_Gem

1. Some type of filtration (a hang on the back of the tank power filter will work, just use filter floss without the carbon since carbon will remove medication from the water, being counter productive)
2. Heater
3. A power head and/or an air stone for increased surface agitation
4. Aquarium test kits for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate
5. Fish Net - don't use the same net for your main tank
6.PVC pipes for hiding in since I do not use live rock in my qt tanks.
Usually 2-8 weeks, depends on what I am putting in the qt tank.

Thanks for the info.. one of these days i will do salt.

How many gallons is your qt tank?

[wkndracer]

This thread might have some solid information you can use.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...137&highlight=

Freshwater or salt a quarantine program has valid merit if it's a 'real' one.

[CrypticLifeStyle]

Salt isn't a safeguard against a lot if things maybe ich and some other common stuff but need high heat too. Too much salt use over a period actually reduces their immunity system as using too much hand sanitizer is for us. Though I do use it myself lightly for qt to help slime coat production which is like bark to a tree. Always qt for at least 3 weeks minimal. That's usually long enough for most things to show itself especially with how rampid ich is with most fish on here buy.

A qt will be cheaper then the meds and effort+time spent on curing if it doesn't kill them first. I just had ich 2 months ago after none for over 10 years cause I didn't qt . I got complacent and it cost me. A slap in the face reminder what happens. Never be inpatient with this hobby.

[m00se]

Originally Posted by wkndracer

Always QT on new stuff going in established systems.
Quarantine is a pay for it now or pay later deal, later always costs a lot more.

A++++

I have learned the hard way that this is THE ONLY way to keep a heavily planted tank with lots of fish from complete heartbreak.

I use nitrofuracin in the QT tank for 10 days, and the fish stay in there for 30. No substrate. Sponge filter, and a small HOB in the 5.5g tank with a light over it and some java moss.

Only way I'll roll anymore.

http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/aucti...ons&1362804006

[shift]

Interesting. Can you wash out the sponges re seed and re use them again for future qt periods? I may have to start this practice.

Setting up a new tank 84g tank.. Would you bother qt the new initial batch of fish before entering the brand new or throw them in since there is nothing to infect. Then way day 30 days before I add my current fish into the mix

Right now I have mainly cpd's and a few neons and shrimp. I'm thinking of getting about 12 rummy noes to add to my soon to have 84g tank that will be mainly cpd once the fry grow up.

[Kitsune_Gem]

Originally Posted by shift

Thanks for the info.. one of these days i will do salt.

How many gallons is your qt tank?

I have a 10 and a 20 high. We don't buy large fish as we have a small tank (66 gallons.. yes this is small for salt) So the fish we have when we bought them 1-2 at a time, fit comfortably in either tanks. We only buy for the tank we have now, not for what we want. Our tank is fully stocked for what we want fish wise, yes we have room for more, but we rather get more coral in there.

[antbug]

I do now. You will too after you take a hard hit. About 2 weeks is what I do.

[GnoixuoS]

After losing a few expensive fish I QT my new fish for at least a month. Didn't QT a shipment of Dwarf Neon Rainbows, even though they kinda looked sick. Lost all the DNR within a week, and it wiped out all my other rainbows