QT tank

Shellyfish · 03/22/2012, 07:06 PM

So I had a fish recently die in my QT tank. It had ich. I decided to finish the treatment anyway as I'm sure the ich is still in there. My question is, can I use the tank to QT another fish? Or do I need to tear it down and start fresh? My concern with starting fresh would be having the tank cycle again.

Playa-1 · 03/22/2012, 07:29 PM

Sorry to hear about your fish. To answer your question we would have to know more about your QT and how it was cycled. It sounds like you were treating for ICH in the QT. How were you treating? What is in the tank? Is this something that's set up when you need it or is it more of a permanent QT that is cycled?

Shellyfish · 03/22/2012, 07:33 PM

I had cycled it with the intention of leaving it up for a while, until I'm done adding fish at least. I was using cupramine to treat the ich. I'm sad about the fish too, but at least it didn't take the display tank with it. I've learned the hard way and especially with tangs, QT is the way to go. I plan on treating any new fish that go into the QT with cupramine as well, not sure if that makes a difference or not. I would just rather not dump out 20gals of perfectly good saltwater if I don't have too. The tank is a 20g with an Aquaclear 50 and a heater. It's pretty bare at the moment but I think I might add sand and rock to make it less sparse and hopefully make the fish happier.

Playa-1 · 03/22/2012, 08:38 PM

I suspect that you should be good to go.

Shellyfish · 03/22/2012, 08:50 PM

Great, thanks! Any thoughts on adding sand/rocks? Will it make the fish more comfortable? I realize, anything used in this tank will not be going into the display tank.

Zypharus · 03/22/2012, 09:02 PM

I think a common QT comfort item is some appropriately sized PVC for the fish to hide in. Cheap, effective, and easy to clean when the QT needs to be torn down and cleaned. I use a chunk of 4" PVC in mine and works fine.

f3honda4me · 03/22/2012, 09:02 PM

Sand/rock will absorb medications so I would not use them in a QT.

Playa-1 · 03/22/2012, 09:12 PM

Sometimes I will put a rock in that is designated for QT only and if I have a sand sifter then I will put a bowl of sand in with the fish. But not when I'm medicating. That tends to make them much more comfortable in the tank. I don't think I would do that while treating with copper. Another issue to keep a close eye on is Ammonia. I Know Seachem claims that the Cupramine has only a small effect on the biofilter but I don't think that I would trust that. I would make sure you keep close tabs on your Ammonia levels and make water changes as necessary.

03/22/2012, 07:06 PM	#1
Shellyfish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 469	QT tank So I had a fish recently die in my QT tank. It had ich. I decided to finish the treatment anyway as I'm sure the ich is still in there. My question is, can I use the tank to QT another fish? Or do I need to tear it down and start fresh? My concern with starting fresh would be having the tank cycle again.

03/22/2012, 09:02 PM	#6
Zypharus Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Spring Hill, Florida Posts: 52	I think a common QT comfort item is some appropriately sized PVC for the fish to hide in. Cheap, effective, and easy to clean when the QT needs to be torn down and cleaned. I use a chunk of 4" PVC in mine and works fine. __________________ Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef / 30g sump & refugium / EV-120 skimmer / 2x MP10w / 2x Eheim 1260 / 2x 24 LED DIY Panels / BRS Carbon reactor

03/22/2012, 07:29 PM	#2
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	Sorry to hear about your fish. To answer your question we would have to know more about your QT and how it was cycled. It sounds like you were treating for ICH in the QT. How were you treating? What is in the tank? Is this something that's set up when you need it or is it more of a permanent QT that is cycled?

03/22/2012, 07:33 PM	#3
Shellyfish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 469	I had cycled it with the intention of leaving it up for a while, until I'm done adding fish at least. I was using cupramine to treat the ich. I'm sad about the fish too, but at least it didn't take the display tank with it. I've learned the hard way and especially with tangs, QT is the way to go. I plan on treating any new fish that go into the QT with cupramine as well, not sure if that makes a difference or not. I would just rather not dump out 20gals of perfectly good saltwater if I don't have too. The tank is a 20g with an Aquaclear 50 and a heater. It's pretty bare at the moment but I think I might add sand and rock to make it less sparse and hopefully make the fish happier.

03/22/2012, 08:38 PM	#4
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I suspect that you should be good to go.

03/22/2012, 08:50 PM	#5
Shellyfish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 469	Great, thanks! Any thoughts on adding sand/rocks? Will it make the fish more comfortable? I realize, anything used in this tank will not be going into the display tank.

03/22/2012, 09:02 PM	#7
f3honda4me Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,218	Sand/rock will absorb medications so I would not use them in a QT.

03/22/2012, 09:12 PM	#8
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	Sometimes I will put a rock in that is designated for QT only and if I have a sand sifter then I will put a bowl of sand in with the fish. But not when I'm medicating. That tends to make them much more comfortable in the tank. I don't think I would do that while treating with copper. Another issue to keep a close eye on is Ammonia. I Know Seachem claims that the Cupramine has only a small effect on the biofilter but I don't think that I would trust that. I would make sure you keep close tabs on your Ammonia levels and make water changes as necessary.