quarantine tank

[queenangelRIP]

my mom thinks that it would be a good idea for me to set up a quarantine tank for new fish and since my devistating mishap with my tank (which is how i aquired this name) i would have to agree with her. I was wondering how long is an appropriate to keep a fish in quarantine befor i introduce him to my main tank.[img]images/icons/icon5.gif[/img]

please answer quickly thank you.[img]images/icons/icon5.gif[/img]

[Reefland]

4-6 weeks is the appropriate quaratine time. This is necessary mainly for C. irritans to ensure they can be completely removed from the fish if present.

[charlesr1958]

I would prefer the 6 weeks, just as a safety precaution, have heard of others who went 4 weeks only to have another outbreak. I also like to suggest using hyposalinity during a QT period, has other benefits than just killing Ich the chemical free way. Will throw my link at ya about this subject which also has good links on QT's and the use of hyposalinity.

http://www.goldinc.com/~chuck/quarantine.html

Chuck

oh, and sorry for your loss, know how it is to lose a favorite fish.

[WHOSYOURDADDY]

We feel your lose - I believe and speaking for anyone else we have all learned our lessons the hard way - when we have this great love and think we have doen everything right only to lose a beloved fish (especially one like an Angel).

I learned the hardway myself - yes do the 6 weeks just to be on the safe side. What I detest is LFS that will not quarrentine their shipments prior to putting them out on the retail floor for resale.

[queenangelRIP]

thank you for your coments i was also wondering what i should have in the qt tank as far as filtration, sand or gravel and deco.

thanks agian for you coments

[Reefland]

You can get away with very basic mechanical filtration, heater and some places to hide for the fish (some dead rock, cut PVC pipe, etc.

[WHOSYOURDADDY]

Keep your tank very simple - the purpose of it is a temporary home for your tanks inhabitants its not a display tank.

Like Reefland suggests a simple very basic mechanical filtration, heater and some places to hide for the fish (some dead rock, cut PVC pipe, etc.) this would be your best option.

Mine is a 10 gallon with with heater 3.5 inch pvc for hiding basic light so that I can keep an eye on the patient for filter when I have a fish or inhabitant use a basic whisper filter

I also keep an air stone connected to a small whisper air pump. This helps with the dissolved oxygen level and what gases maybe in the water will attach to the the bubbles and dissapate out of the tank.

No substrate keep it bare and clean

[saltjunkie]

so, do you let a QT tank cycle?
or just set up a tank with the salt water,heater, deco and filter?
and throw a fish in it... or will in not have a cycle since there is no live rock or sand/coral bed in it?

[WHOSYOURDADDY]

so, do you let a QT tank cycle?
or just set up a tank with the salt water,heater, deco and filter?
and throw a fish in it... or will in not have a cycle since there is no live rock or sand/coral bed in it?

Its not a display tank - its short term isolation tank and the reason you keep quarantine tanks small. Keeping it small allows you to better control of its environment as well as any meds that are used for treatment of the fish.

Since your not using substrate or LR no need for cycling - as long was your water salinity, temp is within the normal parameters you can simple put your fish or inverts in. You still have to follow proper procedures to acculmate them to the tank. Basic filtering will handle short term inhabitants while their in the tank.

The purpose is to isolate and and if needed provide treatment. It is always a good rule to keep doing your partial water changes on a daily basis while their are inhabitant(s) residing in it. This will keep any nitrites or ammonia levels down.

[queenangelRIP]

thank all for the coments i just have one more question is there maybe a certan type of food i should feed fish while there in a qt tank

[szwedo]

it would be a good idea, if you feed frozen food (mysis, brine shrimp etc.) to soak it in a garlic solution, or buy some formula 1 fish pellets with garlic in them.

[queenangelRIP]

well i would have never thought of that thank you