Quaranting New Fish

[LiveOutLoud]

Well i'm looking in to getting my first fish in a couple of weeks and had some questions about quaranting. How long should you? How do you set the tank up? Should you treat animal while in quarantine as a precautionary? Should you quarantine corals and inverts too? Basically how do you guys quarantine. There's so many mixed opinions on this I thought I would see what you guys think. Thanks ahead a time.

[Star_Rider]

I QT atleast 4 weeks depending on anmy issues..4 weeks after any problems(ich seems to be the biggie.)
2 out of 3 qt's my fish developed ich..treated and remained in qt 4 weeks after all Sx are gone.

Corals should be qt as they can carry unwanted critters..and may have issues themselves.

inverts usually not .

others may be different.

[LiveOutLoud]

Ok so how should I set it up? Should I cycle it like my display tank?

[HiepNotik]

bump, I wondering the same thing, gonna look for new fish today, can I use BioSpira to cycle the QT tank?

[Sploke]

When I first set up my qt tanks, I just got a new sponge filter and ran it in my display tank sump (or right in the tank if you don't have a sump) for 2 weeks before purchasing the fish. The filter was then moved to the qt tank and the fish added. Or, biospira could be used.

[LiveOutLoud]

ok thanks that helps a lo. Now a question about sponge filters. Where would you buy them. When I asked the guy at Petsmart where they where he looked at me like I was crazy. And asked me if I meant sponges to put in filters like you do for freshwater. Are they the same thing?

[RichardA]

Petsmart doesnt carry sponge filters, Mom and Pop shops do though or you can order em online.

[LiveOutLoud]

Ok my quarantine is now up and running. I was wondering what do you do in terms of maintenance. Topoffs obviously but water changes?
Do you treat it like your main tank?

[LiveOutLoud]

bump....

[Reefscape]

Ok my quarantine is now up and running. I was wondering what do you do in terms of maintenance. Topoffs obviously but water changes?
Do you treat it like your main tank?


Pretty much, yes...Ensure a close eye is kept on ammonia and nitrates and always have premade sw to do a quick water change...Ensure the bottom is kept clean of feaces (sp) and un-eaten food...The tank will need cycling if the media for the filter has not been seeded from an established tank.

[LiveOutLoud]

Thanks!

[bowser7of9]

Keep a few pieces of PVC in the QT so your fish can hide and sleep as required. Like it was mentioned before keep a close eye on your parms in the QT, it can spike quickly. Keep the bottom clean and top-up as required with maybe a small water change every 2 or 3 days and you should do just fine.

As for your fish you buy, have a good look at them in the LFS. Pick the ones you want and make sure you get the ones you want. Watch them at feeding time in the store, have a good look to see if they behave "normally". If you get a healthy fish to start it should help with the QT.

Myself I try and get fish that have been in the store for a while (at least 2 wks) and show no signs of problems then I QT for 2 weeks. Haven't had a problem yet (fingers crossed). It also helps to have a LFS you can trust.

Good luck and make sure your first fish isn't an impluse buy or it might not fit into your plans...stick to your plan...