QT tank question

[craqerjaq]

I've been reading the QT tank thread and realize that I should probably have already had all this set up as I didn't realize you kept fish in for longer than a month.

I have a tank to use but I don't have this sponge filter thing (and it says to keep that filter in the display tank for 1-2 months...so now Im set back another 2 months for getting fish...this is riduculous.

now what do I do?

[Seige]

I haven't done this but off hand I'd get the sponge filter and put it in your main tank for a week and prepare some saltwater for the main tank. Then when your ready, fill the QT with water from the main tank and add a hardy fish like like clownfish.

When you feed vacume up any extra food they haven't eaten after about 5 minutes.

Test the water frequently and do a large water change using water from your main tank. Make sure you keep new saltwater prepared.

With luck, you should be ok. Don't do this with a less hardy fish though like an Angel. In the future you'll be prepared to do it correctly.

[Seige]

A second option, is to buy a fish that's already been quarantined. It has to come from a known trusted LFS. At the very least you should have seen the fish over 3 to 4 weeks so you know it's condition and know no new fish have been added to it's tank that may have brought in diseases. Make sure you view it feeding and ask about any meds that may have been in the water. If your not sure about the LFS don't risk it.

[metalhead]

I've been reading the QT tank thread and realize that I should probably have already had all this set up as I didn't realize you kept fish in for longer than a month.

I have a tank to use but I don't have this sponge filter thing (and it says to keep that filter in the display tank for 1-2 months...so now Im set back another 2 months for getting fish...this is riduculous.

now what do I do?

Not sure where you're reading this but personally I would not keep any kind of "sponge filter thing" in my tank for a week much less two months. What you would end up with when you took it out for your QT tank is a sponge full of crud and nitrates more than likely. The only mechanical filtration I use is a filter sock which is cleaned daily or at least every other day religiously.

If you are using water from an established tank in your QT tank it should be OK to put fish in immediately, I would think, or at most wait a few days while you monitor the params and ensure that everything's cool.

I like Seige's idea the best though... Find a trustworthy source locally and let them QT for you. IMO this is the #1 reason to buy livestock locally instead of going the cheaper online route. Some will even drip acclimate corals or delicate species for you while in QT if you bring them some of your water to work with.

[craqerjaq]

well I'm getting my instructions from Lee's A Fish Quarantine Process so yeah...I trust people with decades of experience over my lack of.

as for a LFS doing the work...I wouldn't trust either of my choices here. since they both get their fish from the same vendor and one over prices everything...my only reasonable option is Petco. there is at least one person there that knows what they are doing but I'm still not going to rely on them. I will trust myself and the people here that have the experience first before I trust these LFS.

metal, I think you missed the part where I said my tank is newly set up...it's not established.

[Seige]

Not sure where you're reading this but personally I would not keep any kind of "sponge filter thing" in my tank for a week much less two months. What you would end up with when you took it out for your QT tank is a sponge full of crud and nitrates more than likely. The only mechanical filtration I use is a filter sock which is cleaned daily or at least every other day religiously.

If you are using water from an established tank in your QT tank it should be OK to put fish in immediately, I would think, or at most wait a few days while you monitor the params and ensure that everything's cool.

I'm pretty sure Lee and / or Ninong have mentioned keeping a QT filter active by placing it in the sump so it's possible to start up the QT or med tank quickly (without cycling).

Your right though the filter may need cleaning from time to time.

I like Seige's idea the best though... Find a trustworthy source locally and let them QT for you. IMO this is the #1 reason to buy livestock locally instead of going the cheaper online route. Some will even drip acclimate corals or delicate species for you while in QT if you bring them some of your water to work with.

The problem is if their is a trusted source and how much it's trusted. Also some LFS's don't really ever quarantine since their tanks may all be linked and share the same water or one common sump. Just because a fish is alone in a LFS tank for weeks doesn't mean it's equivalent to QT.

It's also about the amount of risk. If it's your first fish, you risk your tank being unusable for fish for 8 months or more which may be acceptable to some reef keepers. If you already have several fish then you risk losing your investment in them all too.

I'd definately QT if theirs any doubt.

[metalhead]

metal, I think you missed the part where I said my tank is newly set up...it's not established.

My bad!

I'm sure Lee knows what he/she is doing but I would be concerned about leaving a "sponge thingy" in my system for that long regardless w/o cleaning it, whether I was trying to establish bacteria colonies or not. I would rather wait until the main tank cycles and then use water from it for the QT tank when a water change is made. If you do weekly water changes you can change the QT tank water at the same time, once per week. Know anybody else locally with an established tank? If so you could get QT tank water from them in the meantime while you wait for the main tank to cycle.

[craqerjaq]

I'm completely on my own for this...aside from this site.

I don't really see anything wrong with having the sponge filter in the display tank...anyone else have more info on leaving it in the tank for that long?

as far as what I'm doing...I think I will try Ninong's shortcut method that was posted in a different thread of mine talking about this same stuff. I'm just anxious to get fish...but I need a set up QT in order to do that.

[Seige]

My bad!

I'm sure Lee knows what he/she is doing but I would be concerned about leaving a "sponge thingy" in my system for that long regardless w/o cleaning it, whether I was trying to establish bacteria colonies or not. I would rather wait until the main tank cycles and then use water from it for the QT tank when a water change is made. If you do weekly water changes you can change the QT tank water at the same time, once per week. Know anybody else locally with an established tank? If so you could get QT tank water from them in the meantime while you wait for the main tank to cycle.

The sponge would need to be replaced occasionally. Getting water from the main tank helps but the QT will still cycle without the bacteria which is why they keep the QT filter sponge ready to go in the sump.

[metalhead]

I'm completely on my own for this...aside from this site.

I don't really see anything wrong with having the sponge filter in the display tank...anyone else have more info on leaving it in the tank for that long?

as far as what I'm doing...I think I will try Ninong's shortcut method that was posted in a different thread of mine talking about this same stuff. I'm just anxious to get fish...but I need a set up QT in order to do that.

Follow Ninong's method and keep an eye on your nitrate levels.

[Seige]

I'm completely on my own for this...aside from this site.

I don't really see anything wrong with having the sponge filter in the display tank...anyone else have more info on leaving it in the tank for that long?

as far as what I'm doing...I think I will try Ninong's shortcut method that was posted in a different thread of mine talking about this same stuff. I'm just anxious to get fish...but I need a set up QT in order to do that.

For your purposes the sponge filter will be fine. Metal was referring to long term storage of the filter in the sump.

When you go to your LFS ask other saltwater shoppers. You'll find reef keepers in your area. Ask them what stores they prefer to use. They may even offer you some cheap / free frags.

[craqerjaq]

I've not once seen anyone else buying anything for saltwater...it's not that big of an area and it's really not that popular around here.

[Seige]

Does your LFS sell saltwater stuff? If they do, their must be a market. Maybe ask the LFS if they know anyone.

[craqerjaq]

I really don't care to talk to them regardless but oh well

[Seige]

LOL That bad eh? Maybe you can take a special trip down to Inland Aquatics or another good dealer sometime.

At least you have us.