Do you quarantine?

[pinkertd]

But you have to take into account the fact that so many people don't QT without losses. The numbers don't lie--most inexperienced people don't even know QTing exists, yet they still unknowingly buy healthy fish.

The average inexperienced hobbyist has a modest size tank, and is, on average, buying very inexpensive fish so not such a big risk for them. I couldn't afford to replace my fish if something wipes them out.

As I said it's a gamble, not important to some people, critically important to others. Guppies, mollies, platys, cories, neon tetras.....some of the most popular first fish for inexperienced hobbyists. And some of the sickest too. I can't even look in those tanks in fish stores most of the time....there's either shimmying or ick going on in most of those tanks along with starvation most of the time. Who knows how long these seemingly healthy specimans actually live in those hobbyists tanks.

I know I don't think it's fair to give a newbie an idea that it's not a gamble to not QT. They need to know there are risks involved.

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

I probubly put too much confidence in my visual inspections and UV sterilizer, prompting me more often then not just to temp/PH acclimate and release.

 

[Madding]

I know I don't think it's fair to give a newbie an idea that it's not a gamble to not QT. They need to know there are risks involved.

This I can agree with.

No wrong can come out of QTing when done right; you get to know your fish personally before possibly never seeing it again (if it's going to spend a great deal of time hiding or buried), you can try different foods without having excess, uneaten food lost in your tank, you are as certain as you can be that both your current fish, your new fish, and your tanks biological enviroment are all being considered while the fish waits, and you get your moneys worth by having a healthy fish. If it's unhealthy, you can figure out why, treat it, contact the LFS, in any order... all without running the risk of an epidemic occurring in your main tank.

If you have the time and patience you should QT. If you can work out an alternate system that still involves every detail of the new fish being worked out, then by all means go for it if it means introducing your new fish earlier. But be aware that even a 100% healthy fish might show signs of ich or worse a few minutes after going into your 100% healthy tank.

Sometimes it's just not in the stars.

(And with that I fold my hand; for I agree with the experts even though I am confident in my own procedures as well.)

 

[Star_Rider]

But you have to take into account the fact that so many people don't QT without losses. The numbers don't lie--most inexperienced people don't even know QTing exists, yet they still unknowingly buy healthy fish.

For the people that do QT every single fish, how many of these show actual symptoms? If the answer is anything more than 1-5% than you are buying bad stock.

I'm only defending the non-QT'ers in the interest of the debate, I have no qualms with people who do QT, I'm actually QTing three fish right now before adding them to my 150 gallon (a Datnoid and two Bichirs). I just take a lot into account before deciding to QT.

I do take that into account. but for the few that suffer losses there are more that do suffer losses.

when you deal with fish that cost $50 as a starting price for a juvenile add the fact that adults are worth even more..who wants to run the risk?

our systems are closed systems.. the chance of infection is too high to run that sort of risk.

I know very few marine enthusiast that do not qt all live specimens. the factor that really strikes home for them is the high cost of live stock.

I keep Discus , wild Scalare and domestic Scalare.
the relative high cost of these fish rules out not using a safe/sane QT practice.


we read everyday about issues from those that do not practice QT.

all the more reason why you should practice QT.

 

[Hebily]

Practice safe stocking! It could save a life. Unless you and your fish have been in a monogamous relationship for an extended period, you really should use a quarentine every time. Of course, the only way to completely avoid the possibility of disease is to abstain from fishkeeping altogether. If you feel the need to have new fish, you really should use a quarentine.

 

[deeleywoman]

:lol: git outta mah head!!!

 

[sushiray]

well, my tank is in good health. so when I introduce from LFS I always QT - better an ounce of prevention is better than a lb of cure. but when I order from a reputable breeder I just mix 1/2 tank water in to acclimate. even plants I soak in salt water for couple of hrs to get rid of any snails.

 

[LeahK]

Ich is rampant in the stores around here, so I QT.
Plus, I've been through the hassle of treating ich in my main tank before, and it's not something I want to do again.
QT-ing itself can be a hassle, and sometimes I'm REALLY tempted not to bother, but then I just look at my cute little otos and think how guilty I would feel if I were to get them sick....

 

[Temeraire]

All I have is a 10 gallon tank with 5 fish, which I bought all at the same time. The closest I've come to actually needing a quarantine is when I added my snail and my plants. I'm still a beginner... Any one could tell that by the fact there is a giant non-aquatic plant in my tank that I just don't want to take out.

 

[BioHazard]

Interesting points and counterpoints being made here. It seems like the "hard-core" or "semi-pro" aquariasts tend to do it more often, but they often already have the equipment to set up QT tanks laying around, and a lot more money and time invested in their stock than the hobbiest aquariast or casual aquariast.