QT tank process

[neiltus]

Pickup up a 10 gallon this week to have a QT tank. Plan to run an air stone in a foam filter, a 50w eheim heater, and have a few PVC elbows. I plan on water changes and using prime to keep NH3/4 at good levels. I don't intend on cycling this tank, nor keeping it up and running between uses. I plan on disposing of the foam filter after QT and putting no more than 2 small fish in it at one time.

Is this suitable?

The LFS uses copper in the showroom tanks. I don't plan on medicating during QT unless symptoms show. I may do a Prazi dip before placing in QT-when should this be done, before/after/during QT. I don't want to suppress symptoms.

Is 4 weeks good for QT that if there was something present it would show?

What am I missing?

[gone fishin]

Your QT setup is very similar to mine. I would suggest getting a seachem ammonia alert badge for in the tank they come in handy.

My thoughts on the copper at the LFS. At some point most fish are exposed to copper either at the wholesaler and/or the LFS. In many cases the copper level is a less than therapeutic amount. Essentially what this does is keep the fish looking decent while suppressing any symptoms of illness or parasites. A lot of times once the fish is removed from the copper then it will not exhibit any signs or symptoms for up to 30 days or so.

I also assume any fish I get has ich and will run them through the Tank transfer Method (TTM) with prazi doses on the 2nd and 4th transfers. I then place them in my main QT for 4-5 weeks (Depends on work schedule). By this time any lingering effects from the copper should have dissipated. Good luck just my 2 cents worth.

[neiltus]

So with TTM, you add prazi at 1tsp per 20 gallons for the 2nd and 4th transfer, so their in the prazi bath for 3 days at that dosage?

I have thought about doing TTM and the prazi...however, I would have to rig up 5 gallon buckets...no room for multiple 10 gallon tanks...

[gone fishin]

Originally Posted by neiltus

So with TTM, you add prazi at 1tsp per 20 gallons for the 2nd and 4th transfer, so their in the prazi bath for 3 days at that dosage?

I have thought about doing TTM and the prazi...however, I would have to rig up 5 gallon buckets...no room for multiple 10 gallon tanks...

I forget the actual dosage of prazi but, I go by the directions and for the 3 days. Many folk use 5g buckets. I would suggest if using buckets to get some of the screen from bulk reef supply and use a bungee cord to make a cover, Prevents jumpers.

[neiltus]

So just buckets, screen, heater, and air stone?

[gone fishin]

Originally Posted by neiltus

So just buckets, screen, heater, and air stone?

I would toss in a pvc fitting or two as well.

[neiltus]

ok, easy enough