Ok How Do You Guys Run Your Qt Tank

[harleymike]

Do you bother with a QT tank. IF yo do how do you maintain it.
Do you just use it to observe the fish or do you pre medicate.

I am considering using one this time. Would like to keep it running at all times if i have one.
While not being used as QT tank, what could i always keep in there so at least there is something to look at. And would keep the tank cycled all the time.
I don't have a basement, so its in view all times. I am thinking, no pre medication, just observe new fish for a extended period then put them in the main tank.
Also, I will just dip corals before putting in Display tank.

Mike

 

[shamous113]

I use a 50 gal breeder tank, bare bottom with pvc fittings for hiding spots. I have a small power head and a Penguin 200, when using medication i run it with the bio-wheel and some filter floss in it and have filters with active carbon on hand to pull the medication out of the water. I also run a air stone wen medicating to keep the O2 levels up.

I match the salinity of the tank to the salinity that the fish are in, I float the bag for 15min and then open the bag. I make sure the new arrivals are eating and then hit them with a round of API general cure (unavailable in Canada at the moment due to the federal government) and then use cp (new life spectrum ich sheild powder) for 21 days. I also have Coppersafe for fish that don't tolerate cp (Hippo and most wrasses will not survive cp). after that I slowly raise the salinity thru water changes (1-2 weeks) and watch for any signs of infections. retreat if necessary.

I also keep Seachem prime on hand in case the ammonia level gets too high.

After the fish are removed from qt I drain the system and give everything a bath of FW with 10% chlorine.

All of my corral sit in my frag tank for a minimum of 75 days after I dip them. this has saved me a couple of times from undesirable critters.

 

[harleymike]

I use a 50 gal breeder tank, bare bottom with pvc fittings for hiding spots. I have a small power head and a Penguin 200, when using medication i run it with the bio-wheel and some filter floss in it and have filters with active carbon on hand to pull the medication out of the water. I also run a air stone wen medicating to keep the O2 levels up.

I match the salinity of the tank to the salinity that the fish are in, I float the bag for 15min and then open the bag. I make sure the new arrivals are eating and then hit them with a round of API general cure (unavailable in Canada at the moment due to the federal government) and then use cp (new life spectrum ich sheild powder) for 21 days. I also have Coppersafe for fish that don't tolerate cp (Hippo and most wrasses will not survive cp). after that I slowly raise the salinity thru water changes (1-2 weeks) and watch for any signs of infections. retreat if necessary.

I also keep Seachem prime on hand in case the ammonia level gets too high.

After the fish are removed from qt I drain the system and give everything a bath of FW with 10% chlorine.

All of my corral sit in my frag tank for a minimum of 75 days after I dip them. this has saved me a couple of times from undesirable critters.

But is it really necessary to medicate if the fish don't show any signs of disease. I was thinking QT tank and observe for a month before putting them in main tank. Seems like a lot of work, and stress to fish if its not necessary (medicating them that is).

I agree about dipping corals, I didn't do that at first last tank I had. I got a little critter, cant remember the name, but it starting eating my sps. Was a long battle. Then I dipped everything.

 

[shamous113]

But is it really necessary to medicate if the fish don't show any signs of disease. I was thinking QT tank and observe for a month before putting them in main tank. Seems like a lot of work, and stress to fish if its not necessary (medicating them that is).

IMHO yes, you cant see internal parasites or anything in the gills of the fish until their dead. you can also do the tank transfer method or hypo salinity to reduce the amount of medication, but it only treats ich. There are very few stores that do a proper qt prior to the fish being sold.

 

[JoeT]

I have mine plumbed between my main tank and my sump with a bypass so I can isolate it when I am quarantining something. I keep live rock and a powerhead in it as well as a few snails. It seems to work ok.

 

[harleymike]

I have mine plumbed between my main tank and my sump with a bypass so I can isolate it when I am quarantining something. I keep live rock and a powerhead in it as well as a few snails. It seems to work ok.

So you just observe the new fish until you happy they are healthy.

 

[harleymike]

I was thinking of picking up a Innovative Marine tank, small one and set it up as a QT tank.

 

[JoeT]

So you just observe the new fish until you happy they are healthy.

That’s all I do unless I observe an issue. I have lots of time to incorporate the new fish into the main display tank.