Do I really need to quarantine?

MBizzo · 04/18/2012, 06:22 AM

Is it absolutely nessasary to quarantine your fish before adding them to the display tank?
Reason I ask is because I don't have a qt tank and I really don't have a place to put one. What are the odds of getting ich or other disease?

sponger0 · 04/18/2012, 06:29 AM

Do you need to? No

Are you going to obtain a fish with ich or some other disease that will require the use of a QT to cure the fish? Most likely.

All it takes is one fish to carry a disease/parasite that can wipe out the rest of your livestock.

You can chance it you want, but dont be surprised when you have all your fish covered in ich.

reeferstace · 04/18/2012, 06:31 AM

Odds are high. Just browse these forums and see what happens when people don't QT. Save yourself the time and expense of treating and/or replacing fish. Save your fish their lives. QT.

shifty51008 · 04/18/2012, 06:31 AM

do you have to? no, but running the risk oh getting ich and other stuff in your DT is high. I have heard stories where others that don't QT and later on when their tank is fully stocked they add one more thing and bang their fish have ich and they end up tearing the tank apart to catch all of them.

IMO setting up a QT is a great idea even if when your done you pack it all away and put it in the closet out of sight.

grennan · 04/18/2012, 06:43 AM

Typically people when first starting out do not quarantine. The clown fish does well, a couple button polyps have no problem. Suddenly with next addition all H E Double Hockey Sticks breaks out and realization of mucho deniro being wasted. Many moons ago it was at this time I realized that QT is the way to go. True story!

kbell2433 · 04/18/2012, 06:50 AM

Go to wally world or some pet store pick up a 5 gallon aquarium, heater, and a hang on back filter for water movement all for about 30 bux. and you have a QT

sponger0 · 04/18/2012, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbell2433

Go to wally world or some pet store pick up a 5 gallon aquarium, heater, and a hang on back filter for water movement all for about 30 bux. and you have a QT

Go to craigslist instead. 5 gallons is going to be a pain to maintain even for a QT.

Jocko · 04/18/2012, 06:55 AM

Another important benefit to quarantine is it gives your fish a place to chill out for a while after the stress of being shipped around and finally making it to your place. Also it gives you a chance to observe their behavior, feeding habits, etc. That will make it easier for you to track how they are doing when they are in the DT.

For them to be comfortable and eating well before going into the DT can make all of the difference. Especially once you have some existing fish in the DT that might not be thrilled to see a newcomer. Better to put a healthy fish into that situation than an already stressed fish.

patsfan1130 · 04/18/2012, 06:59 AM

I gambled for nearly 15 years. 2 years ago my entire tank was wiped out. Lost over $5k in livestock. Do yourself a favor....always QT

BigCountry74 · 04/18/2012, 07:16 AM

What's stocked in your DT?

It's a judgement call. Simply put. All depends on what you have in your DT (risking to lose), where the fish your buying came from, it's value, etc.

I am a gambling man by nature so I have not used a QT for new arrivals so far. Of course my stock is nothing very $ yet.

Motish · 04/18/2012, 07:20 AM

Another benefit I find is that while my QT is occupied, I just can't impulse buy another fish while I am at the lfs. This way I also can't stock too quickly...

Not as important as other reasons that were mentioned here though

tobyte1 · 04/18/2012, 07:26 AM

It's a neccesity.....I knew better and put two beautiful angels from Petco in our DT. Three days later every fish in the tank was covered in spots. Had to tear the DT down to catch the fish. Put them in QT to medicate. Still lost 9 fish. Don't take the chance!

shifty51008 · 04/18/2012, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigCountry74

I am a gambling man by nature so I have not used a QT for new arrivals so far. Of course my stock is nothing very $ yet.

IMO they are still pets, just because they can be cheap don't mean you shouldn't take the best care for them. to me they are like any animal I have, if my dogs don't look well I take them to the vet, and even if they do look fine they still go to the vet for their regular shots (same as a QT IMO)

hope that kinda makes sence I am half asleep

kingevil · 04/18/2012, 08:16 AM

I compare it to unprotected sex. You're taking a chance.

sponger0 · 04/18/2012, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingevil

I compare it to unprotected sex. You're taking a chance.

+1....but I wasnt gonna go there lol.

Never know where that coral has been lmao

Andrew · 04/18/2012, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingevil

I compare it to unprotected sex. You're taking a chance.

I've taken chances before and did not QT incoming fish it's been about 50/50 for me on rather or not a disease or parasite gets introduced. It's better to just prepare and prevent problems and headaches down the road. Why take a chance on a large investment such as your display tank when you don't have to?

Humuhumunuku · 04/18/2012, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingevil

I compare it to unprotected sex. You're taking a chance.

Come on baby, just one fish, it feels way better if you put it right into the display tank.

sponger0 · 04/18/2012, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humuhumunuku

Come on baby, just one fish, it feels way better if you put it right into the display tank.

Lol...just the fin

aandfsoccr04 · 04/18/2012, 09:14 AM

take a gander through this forum or the fish disease forum and read all about the ich that people get. people leave this hobby because they can't get rid of disease and get frustrated. most all the people who have been in the hobby 10+ years utilize a QT so therefore I do too. My apartment is like 700 sq feet and I have two fish tanks over 100 gallons each. There is always room for a little 10 or 20 gallon tank even if it is in a closet. i'd highly recommend using a qt to avoid disease.

sponger0 · 04/18/2012, 09:26 AM

Crypt (ich) alone is very fustrating and can recall numorous readings on here where it has brought people to the point of giving up or ready to.

Also, chasing a fish in a well established reef if not a fun task. Ive done it and had to rip the whole tank apart. And when you do that, you will never be able to put it back the same way as you had it before.

ken55 · 04/18/2012, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aandfsoccr04

My apartment is like 700 sq feet and I have two fish tanks over 100 gallons each. There is always room for a little 10 or 20 gallon tank even if it is in a closet. i'd highly recommend using a qt to avoid disease.

Now THAT'S dedication to a hobby!

kingevil · 04/18/2012, 09:46 AM

do you know why you never hear vegas reefers complaining of ich and parasites?

what happens in vegas, stays in vegas.

reef_guy81 · 04/18/2012, 10:05 AM

If you don't have room for a QT, you could use a 10Gal bucket with a wide base instead. They would be ok IMO for small fish. When needed fill it up, add a small heater and some pvc and you have your QT.. Store it when not in use.. That's what I do..

Humuhumunuku · 04/18/2012, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingevil

do you know why you never hear vegas reefers complaining of ich and parasites?

what happens in vegas, stays in vegas.

That is why I always QT a new girlfriend... and make them drink a bottle of copper just in case.

sponger0 · 04/18/2012, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reef_guy81

If you don't have room for a QT, you could use a 10Gal bucket with a wide base instead. They would be ok IMO for small fish. When needed fill it up, add a small heater and some pvc and you have your QT.. Store it when not in use.. That's what I do..

The problem with this is you cant see if they have ick or any diseases that would be recognizable by viewing the fish from the side.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humuhumunuku

That is why I always QT a new girlfriend... and make them drink a bottle of copper just in case.

Lmao......

04/18/2012, 06:22 AM	#1
MBizzo Moved On Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: San Diego, Ca Posts: 157	Do I really need to quarantine? Is it absolutely nessasary to quarantine your fish before adding them to the display tank? Reason I ask is because I don't have a qt tank and I really don't have a place to put one. What are the odds of getting ich or other disease?

04/18/2012, 06:31 AM	#3
reeferstace I'm a little people Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Over Yonder Posts: 1,392	Odds are high. Just browse these forums and see what happens when people don't QT. Save yourself the time and expense of treating and/or replacing fish. Save your fish their lives. QT. __________________ Stacy

04/18/2012, 06:31 AM	#4
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	do you have to? no, but running the risk oh getting ich and other stuff in your DT is high. I have heard stories where others that don't QT and later on when their tank is fully stocked they add one more thing and bang their fish have ich and they end up tearing the tank apart to catch all of them. IMO setting up a QT is a great idea even if when your done you pack it all away and put it in the closet out of sight. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

04/18/2012, 06:59 AM	#9
patsfan1130 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Woburn, Ma Posts: 2,010	I gambled for nearly 15 years. 2 years ago my entire tank was wiped out. Lost over $5k in livestock. Do yourself a favor....always QT __________________ My cat's breath smells like cat food Member of the Boston Reefers Society Current Tank Info: 75g lps, 90g sps, 120g mixed, 180 nem tank, 300g reef, 600g up & coming reef

04/18/2012, 07:16 AM	#10
BigCountry74 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,761	What's stocked in your DT? It's a judgement call. Simply put. All depends on what you have in your DT (risking to lose), where the fish your buying came from, it's value, etc. I am a gambling man by nature so I have not used a QT for new arrivals so far. Of course my stock is nothing very $ yet. __________________ 135g mixed reef (retired) http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2132815 Current 40g reef http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2483250 Current Tank Info: 40g bare bottom reef

04/18/2012, 06:29 AM	#2
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	Do you need to? No Are you going to obtain a fish with ich or some other disease that will require the use of a QT to cure the fish? Most likely. All it takes is one fish to carry a disease/parasite that can wipe out the rest of your livestock. You can chance it you want, but dont be surprised when you have all your fish covered in ich.

04/18/2012, 06:43 AM	#5
grennan Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Morrisville, NC Posts: 67	Typically people when first starting out do not quarantine. The clown fish does well, a couple button polyps have no problem. Suddenly with next addition all H E Double Hockey Sticks breaks out and realization of mucho deniro being wasted. Many moons ago it was at this time I realized that QT is the way to go. True story!

04/18/2012, 06:50 AM	#6
kbell2433 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Marquette, Michigan Posts: 72	Go to wally world or some pet store pick up a 5 gallon aquarium, heater, and a hang on back filter for water movement all for about 30 bux. and you have a QT

04/18/2012, 06:55 AM	#8
Jocko Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 595	Another important benefit to quarantine is it gives your fish a place to chill out for a while after the stress of being shipped around and finally making it to your place. Also it gives you a chance to observe their behavior, feeding habits, etc. That will make it easier for you to track how they are doing when they are in the DT. For them to be comfortable and eating well before going into the DT can make all of the difference. Especially once you have some existing fish in the DT that might not be thrilled to see a newcomer. Better to put a healthy fish into that situation than an already stressed fish.

04/18/2012, 07:20 AM	#11
Motish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 148	Another benefit I find is that while my QT is occupied, I just can't impulse buy another fish while I am at the lfs. This way I also can't stock too quickly... Not as important as other reasons that were mentioned here though

04/18/2012, 07:26 AM	#12
tobyte1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Valley,AL Posts: 86	It's a neccesity.....I knew better and put two beautiful angels from Petco in our DT. Three days later every fish in the tank was covered in spots. Had to tear the DT down to catch the fish. Put them in QT to medicate. Still lost 9 fish. Don't take the chance! __________________ I like to mix A LOT of electricity with saltwater....... Current Tank Info: 210g mixed reef, 150g FOWLR, 55 bow front reef, 50g tall Hex, 29h Mandarin, 30g predator, 14g Biocube, 24g Octopus

04/18/2012, 08:16 AM	#14
kingevil Moved On Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: phx/east valley Posts: 917	I compare it to unprotected sex. You're taking a chance.

04/18/2012, 09:14 AM	#19
aandfsoccr04 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 3,561	take a gander through this forum or the fish disease forum and read all about the ich that people get. people leave this hobby because they can't get rid of disease and get frustrated. most all the people who have been in the hobby 10+ years utilize a QT so therefore I do too. My apartment is like 700 sq feet and I have two fish tanks over 100 gallons each. There is always room for a little 10 or 20 gallon tank even if it is in a closet. i'd highly recommend using a qt to avoid disease. __________________ 120 gallon mixed reef

04/18/2012, 09:26 AM	#20
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	Crypt (ich) alone is very fustrating and can recall numorous readings on here where it has brought people to the point of giving up or ready to. Also, chasing a fish in a well established reef if not a fun task. Ive done it and had to rip the whole tank apart. And when you do that, you will never be able to put it back the same way as you had it before.

04/18/2012, 09:46 AM	#22
kingevil Moved On Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: phx/east valley Posts: 917	do you know why you never hear vegas reefers complaining of ich and parasites? what happens in vegas, stays in vegas.

04/18/2012, 10:05 AM	#23
reef_guy81 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Webster NY Posts: 54	If you don't have room for a QT, you could use a 10Gal bucket with a wide base instead. They would be ok IMO for small fish. When needed fill it up, add a small heater and some pvc and you have your QT.. Store it when not in use.. That's what I do..