Do you Quarantine Your New Fish?

[Chichas01]

I learned the hard way recently that not quarantining your new fish is one of the dumbest things you can do. I purchased 3 new fish in May and ended up with a vicious outbreak of Ich that wiped out my tank. The last and oldest fish died yesterday. Never again will I not quarantine new livestock. It's not even worth the risk.

 

[user 26995]

Very good advise Chichas01. Sorry to hear of your losses.
So many people in this hobby go thru what you went thru. You can get away with adding fish with out qt'ing them sometimes, but it will catch up to you one day. Best bet is to qt all new additions, including coral.

Thanks for the reminder Chichas01

 

[Tommy T]

Chichas01,

I just purchased a blue hippo tang a week ago and found out that it came with ICH! Now it spreaded tang and my pink skunk clown! I have about 15 fish in my tank with tons of corals and live rock. What do you suggest me to do? I need advise asap.

 

[Tecnomage]

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/f15/marine-ich-myths-facts-27003/

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/f15/hyposalinity-treatment-process-27155/


Second tank that you can lower the salinity is probably the best bet.

 

[user 26995]

Chichas01,

I just purchased a blue hippo tang a week ago and found out that it came with ICH! Now it spreaded tang and my pink skunk clown! I have about 15 fish in my tank with tons of corals and live rock. What do you suggest me to do? I need advise asap.

Repost your question in the Marine Fish Discussion with Lee Birch forum. And ask if any one has a fish trap you can borrow or buy.
Also check the DIY forum for DIY fish traps.

 

[Chichas01]

I think Lee will probably suggest copper treatment. Those articles on Marine Ich where really helpfull in understadnign the treatment. I chose copper over the hypo. Use Seachem Cupramine and get the Seachem Copper test kit if you go that route.

I should aslo add that there is a guy in S. Seattle that closed his shop and has tons of used tanks and equipment he's selling for cheap. He has an add on CL. I scored a 20 gallon tank and filter for $30 to use as my QT/hospital tank.

 

[Tommy T]

Thanks! I am thinking of getting a QT tank up and going but don't I need the QT tank to cycle before I can add the infected fish to it? I have about 15 fish in my tank and tons of corals and live rocks. Should I pull out all my rocks and corals to get all my fish out? That will be a pain in the butt!!!! I have my corals and rocks just the way I wanted too...

 

[TJL]

Hey Chicas, bummer to hear and don't know why so many of us have learn the hard way (myself included). With so much good and easily accessed info on the subject we really should make this #1 in the 10 comandments of REEFING 101.

Tommy, either way hypo or copper you will need a QT and leave the DT empty of fish for a minimum of 6-8wks. You will need a good quality Fractometer for hypo and as Chicas stated a good/accurate test kit for copper if you go that route. I'm sure Lee will chime in soon but you will need to get going on this ASAP for the best outcome. Sicker than a dog at the moment but if you shoot me a pm will respond with my # if you need further assistance.

P.S. on question regarding QT cycle, no but you will want to have plenty of fresh saltwater make-up for frequent water changes.

Todd

 

[user 26995]

Do you have a sponge filter in your DT/sump?

Ideally, what you would do, is set up a new tank...do a water change on the DT...put the water and the sponge filter from the DT in to the QT. You have your bioligical filtration from the sponge filter and already cycled water. Top off the QT with fresh saltwater, just like it would be a big waterchange. Put the fish in it before you top off and you wont need to acclimate them first.

What I did, is, I set up a fowlr tank for my qt tank. That way I have the rock that keeps the bioligical filtration going and I can treat it with copper and other meds if needed. I run carbon and a small intank skimmer and a two bubl t-5 light. I just keep it simple.

 

[Pablo Mithels]

How long is the <usual> period of keeping a fish in a QT.
Will ICK show in a few days? I set up a QT yesterday and looking at getting a fish this week.Wondering how long to keep him there.

 

[user 26995]

I believe it is recommended 6-8 weeks
Here is great info on qt of a new fish
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/f15/quarantine-process-27022/

 

[Pablo Mithels]

OUCH 6-8 weeks! I will read the link you attached, thank you

 

[user 26995]

OUCH 6-8 weeks! I will read the link you attached, thank you

haha....it goes faster than you think. I have had 5 fish in qt for 7 1/2 weeks now and it doesnt seem that long.

 

[TJL]

Hey Paul, please refer to Lee's thread above but a minimum of 6 weeks to be sure (life cycle of the parasite). I like/prefer the hypo method over copper and like Lorrie's set-up you can have LR and run carbon/amonia remover media Not with Copper treatments. Part of the philosophy behind the QT is that most likely the stress of moving the fish into it will manifest an outbreak of whatever parasite that may be present. Lots of people put in pvc or some other inert items into the QT to give fish something to hide/take refuge in, my personal choice is plastic plants that I silicone marbles to the base for ballast. I place them in front and on ends of QT to give them something to hide behind as well as a cushion to ends of tank.

 

[user 26995]

Oh... good idea on the plants. I'll have to do that.

 

[Pablo Mithels]

Thanks Todd, I just got through reading the link. Minimum of 6 weeks!! Egads, I don't even have the fish yet!! However the QT has perfect parameters and maybe,hopefully, I can get a male TS blenny

 

[Pablo Mithels]

haha....it goes faster than you think. I have had 5 fish in qt for 7 1/2 weeks now and it doesnt seem that long.

LOL, each day at work is like 6 weeks waiting to get home and see!!!