To Quarantine or Not

[squid row]

I have read a few posts that suggest it is best to quarantine new fish with cupramine. Then I have read a few that say copper is very hard on fish and should only be used as a treatment rather than preventative

I have a quarantine tank set up but now I am wondering if I should use it when I purchase new fish

Planning to purchase a flame angel and yellow tang this weekend

Thoughts?

The QT is 20 gallons has an air pump, HOB without any carbon, heater, lights and some hiding places of PVC pipe

[jmsilhy]

What I've been doing (mostly what I've learned from this forum) is to QT them and observe them carefully for at least 4 weeks. If in that time you detect any strange behavior, dots, etc. then treat, ask here how depending on apparent illness.

Another good technique is to do the tank transfer method (since you already have most of what's needed), which effectively takes care of itch if they have any and is not harmful. Then observe them for a while and make sure they're eating well and looking healthy.

If they seem healthy, don't stress them with (potentially) unneeded meds. My.02

[squid row]

Originally Posted by jmsilhy

What I've been doing (mostly what I've learned from this forum) is to QT them and observe them carefully for at least 4 weeks. If in that time you detect any strange behavior, dots, etc. then treat, ask here how depending on apparent illness.

Another good technique is to do the tank transfer method (since you already have most of what's needed), which effectively takes care of itch if they have any and is not harmful. Then observe them for a while and make sure they're eating well and looking healthy.

If they seem healthy, don't stress them with (potentially) unneeded meds. My.02

That makes sense.. Quarantine without any meds and treat only if necessary
Thank you

[Michael Hoaster]

Copper is tricky and dangerous. With the Tank Transfer Method and Hypo Salinity Method, no dangerous chemicals are involved at all. So I no longer use copper.

Lot's of folks still swear by it though. You're likely to get many different opinions on this, so I'd recommend looking into each method and choosing which one sounds best for your situation.

I like hypo salinity because it makes it easier on the fish, because they have less 'work' to do on osmoregulation, and because it avoids the stress of transferring fish to different vessels. But TTM is more fool-proof. Up to you!

[Frost_Hydra]

I also more or so just watch them in quarantine without any medications or additives. If something appears in 4 weeks or less i'll treat it with whatever specific medication it requires. If not, It's ready for my tank

[Thornbreaker]

So I have had great success with Tank Transfer Method. Even just did 3 anthias in TTM a few months ago with the modified method to help prevent velvet.

I then put them in a 20 gal QT for a few more weeks just to observe.

However, I have simply QT'd a few of my fish in a 20 gal for 8 weeks or so. Primarily larger fish like Tangs that I didn't want in a bucket.

Probably about to pick up a diamond goby and just QT it for 8 weeks. The last 2 I tried last year, either jumped the bucket (despite a lid) or were found dead at the bottom. Not sure from what except maybe stress/not eating.

I have a good local LFS though that does some pre-treatment. So far I've had no issues other than more difficult fish like leopard wrasses that just didn't make it in QT.

The worst thing in my tank has been a possible eunice worm I think I got from an order of snails from LiveAquaria. Haven't seen it in months, but I think it's what killed my mandarin.

[Sk8r]

Best not to medicate until and a strong 'if' you see a disease or problem. Meds conflict with each other. Here is a list of fish that may die if subjected to copper, and angels are on the list. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2635979 This item is from RC in the forum called Fish Disease. I recommend reading it while giving your new fish a bare-glass environment that can't catch anything from them. I do recommend giving angels a rock to pick at, a fist-sized one, at least, and I also recommend NOT putting that rock back into your tank if a disease turns up. Be prepared to nuke that rock with hydrogen peroxide, letting it de-gas in a tapwater filled bucket, then set it out in the sunlight for a couple of weeks before dropping it into your sump and letting it populate again with good bacteria.

[Ab129]

Originally Posted by Thornbreaker

So I have had great success with Tank Transfer Method. Even just did 3 anthias in TTM a few months ago with the modified method to help prevent velvet.

I then put them in a 20 gal QT for a few more weeks just to observe.

However, I have simply QT'd a few of my fish in a 20 gal for 8 weeks or so. Primarily larger fish like Tangs that I didn't want in a bucket.

Probably about to pick up a diamond goby and just QT it for 8 weeks. The last 2 I tried last year, either jumped the bucket (despite a lid) or were found dead at the bottom. Not sure from what except maybe stress/not eating.

I have a good local LFS though that does some pre-treatment. So far I've had no issues other than more difficult fish like leopard wrasses that just didn't make it in QT.

The worst thing in my tank has been a possible eunice worm I think I got from an order of snails from LiveAquaria. Haven't seen it in months, but I think it's what killed my mandarin.

What is the “modified” version of TTM to prevent velvet?