Basic Quarantine FAQ's

[Deinonych]

Originally Posted by Quiverfull

I'm just starting the process now. Gonna be in QT for at least 2 weeks. They are 3 fairy wrasses. I am just setting up the qt now.

2 weeks is insufficient for quarantine, as most diseases won't present in that time frame. If you are observing only (no proactive treatment), 6-8 weeks is recommended, with careful observation of the fishes' demeanor and behavior. Personally, I'm not a fan of observation-only QT, as subtle behavior cues can be missed by the observer.

[Quiverfull]

So you proactively treat even though you do not see anything wrong? The time frame for me is not an issue. I just read on some of the earlier posts that 2 weeks was the minimum. I am OK with 6 weeks but was not going to treat with medications unless I saw something go wrong.

[Duke4life]

Some do proactively treat, some don't. I don't treat unless necessary and do a minimum of 4 weeks since where I go runs no copper. If you don't I'd recommend having the basic meds on hand in case. Also looking at what each species is more acceptable to is a good idea as well.

[Deinonych]

Originally Posted by Quiverfull

So you proactively treat even though you do not see anything wrong? The time frame for me is not an issue. I just read on some of the earlier posts that 2 weeks was the minimum. I am OK with 6 weeks but was not going to treat with medications unless I saw something go wrong.

The only medication I proactively administer is Prazipro, as it is gentle on fish and fluke infections are relatively common in marine fish. I also put all new acquisitions through tank transfer method (TTM) to eliminate the possibility of Cryptocaryon infections. Cryptocaryon can often go unnoticed, as fish can carry subclinical infections and don't display physical symptoms. For all other diseases (Amyloodinium, Brooklynella, bacterial etc.), I treat only when symptoms are present.

It all comes down to how risk-averse you are. Personally, I'd rather remove the most common diseases from the equation and be prepared for the others.

[Quiverfull]

I am still new to the QT approach but I have gotten to the point with my DT that I do not want to risk the investment.
A few more questions if you don't mind:
1. Where do you get Prazipro and is is OK to use with live rock?
2. What do you mean by "tank transfer method?"

[Deinonych]

Originally Posted by Quiverfull

I am still new to the QT approach but I have gotten to the point with my DT that I do not want to risk the investment.
A few more questions if you don't mind:
1. Where do you get Prazipro and is is OK to use with live rock?
2. What do you mean by "tank transfer method?"

First off, props for quarantining your fish. It's definitely worth the effort to ensure peace of mind and a provide a disease-free environment for your fish.

You should be able to find Prazipro at your local fish store. The larger chains like Petco or Petsmart don't typically stock it. It's fine to use with live rock. In fact, it's the only medication I would use with LR or inverts (although it's best used in a QT). If you can't source it locally, Amazon carries it: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004LOBGYA

Here's a lengthy thread on TTM. The basic concept is moving a fish to a clean, sterilized tank every 72 hours for a total of four transfers. This breaks the life cycle of Cryptocaryon (ich) and prevents reinfection. By the final transfer, the fish should be parasite free if executed correctly.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1996525

[64Ivy]

Ok, so can a few of you guys go into a little bit more detail about how you transfer fish from one tank to another without the use of a net? And why? I ask this now because I currently have 9 little Resplendant Anthias in QT that will be ready for transfer in about a month. I have not begun to medicate them yet but all are eating aggressively and are consistently out and about. This, to me, means they're healthy. That, to me, also means that if they remain healthy and conditioned for another month in QT, they're going to run like hell whenever they 'feel' they're about to be caught and moved somewhere else. Not that I'm solely advocating the net, but I'd love to know which tools and methods you've found to work better.

[Polkman]

I had a tomini tang die from what appears to be brook. Skin was peeling, troubled swimming, and didn't see any white spots upon death. He shares the tank with 2 chocolate clowns 4 green chromis and a yellow tang which does have ich ( white spots on him ). I did not qt any fish before adding into DT which I am now learning the havoc of not having done so.

I just set up a qt and ordered formalin ms from fishvet which should be here by tomorrow morning. All fish seem to be eating even the clowns which seem to develop a white sandy look to their skin.

I was planning on taking them out and straight into a bucket for a formalin bath then into the QT where I will also treat with formalin. I read a few stickies about how to treat with formalin, but was wondering if I should treat with copper maybe a week after the formalin treatments to get rid of the ich?

Also, would doing a formalin bath/dip on all new fish before going into the qt for further observation be ok? Then treat for anything else that pops up in a 6-8 week time frame?

[tsunade]

Very very helpful. Thanks for the info.

[microlady]

Originally Posted by Polkman

I had a tomini tang die from what appears to be brook. Skin was peeling, troubled swimming, and didn't see any white spots upon death. He shares the tank with 2 chocolate clowns 4 green chromis and a yellow tang which does have ich ( white spots on him ). I did not qt any fish before adding into DT which I am now learning the havoc of not having done so.

I just set up a qt and ordered formalin ms from fishvet which should be here by tomorrow morning. All fish seem to be eating even the clowns which seem to develop a white sandy look to their skin.

I was planning on taking them out and straight into a bucket for a formalin bath then into the QT where I will also treat with formalin. I read a few stickies about how to treat with formalin, but was wondering if I should treat with copper maybe a week after the formalin treatments to get rid of the ich?

Also, would doing a formalin bath/dip on all new fish before going into the qt for further observation be ok? Then treat for anything else that pops up in a 6-8 week time frame?

My opinion is that Brooklynella kills very fast. Advanced crypto infections can cause cloudy eyes, peeling skin, labored breathing, etc. In your situation I might perform Tank Transfer Method for crypto along with short formalin baths in 5 gallon buckets too. I'm hoping for your sake it isn't Brooklynella. Would a 72 day fallow period take care of that parasite too?

[Polkman]

Originally Posted by microlady

My opinion is that Brooklynella kills very fast. Advanced crypto infections can cause cloudy eyes, peeling skin, labored breathing, etc. In your situation I might perform Tank Transfer Method for crypto along with short formalin baths in 5 gallon buckets too. I'm hoping for your sake it isn't Brooklynella. Would a 72 day fallow period take care of that parasite too?

It was indeed brook, however I was able to react fast enough and pulled the remaining fish into qt. I did indeed do TTM with formalin baths inbetween each transfer. The fish pulled through and are now ich/brook free.

From what I was told 72 days for ich and at least 6 weeks for brook.

[microlady]

That's great! Did Brooklynella look anything like crypto? Did you see any spots or just slimy skin?

[microlady]

Sorry, I just read that you didn't see spots.

[merlinpi]

newbi here, starting my first QT, will be using Prazipro and Cupramine. My question is: anybody with experience using MEthylene blue or malachite green for QT purposes? thks.

[Salty150]

I read somewhere awhile ago on here that you could use PraziPro and another medication together in the QT tank quite effectively.

Anyone remember what the other was?

ParaGuard?

Ick Shield?

[TheRegion83]

Does a freshwater bath help reduce the chances of disease and also what about having copper in your system?

[breck]

Where are people getting their Choloroquine phosphate? For those who use it?

[BillFW]

Originally Posted by breck

Where are people getting their Choloroquine phosphate? For those who use it?

Prescription from a Vet.

[krullshards]

Originally Posted by BillFW

Prescription from a Vet.

Or ick shield powder...

http://www.amazon.com/New-Life-Spect...rds=ick+shield

[breck]

I just ordered some meds to have on stock for my QT tank. Any other suggestions?

Prazipro
Cupramine
Melafix
Pimafix
Paraguard

Thanks!

[Vinno]

Fish stock.
-Yellow tang *Ich*
-Cole Tangs *Ich*
-2x clowns fish
-2x chromis
-2x Ignitus Anthias

Got a aquaclear hang on filter / heater around + tank.

What are two top copper medicine brands to look to buy? (asking for two just in case ones not available here)

Now do i put any bio balls on my filter or after treatment? since i would need to do copper treatment then let them live here until my display tank is 70+ days without fish?

If above so, how to run a cycle after treatment if fish still in QT?

Will need to start tomorrow, yellow tang is rubbing itself and swimming funny.

Thanks alot.

[splinteredmind]

Originally Posted by Vinno

Fish stock.
-Yellow tang *Ich*
-Cole Tangs *Ich*
-2x clowns fish
-2x chromis
-2x Ignitus Anthias

Got a aquaclear hang on filter / heater around + tank.

What are two top copper medicine brands to look to buy? (asking for two just in case ones not available here)

Now do i put any bio balls on my filter or after treatment? since i would need to do copper treatment then let them live here until my display tank is 70+ days without fish?

If above so, how to run a cycle after treatment if fish still in QT?

Will need to start tomorrow, yellow tang is rubbing itself and swimming funny.

Thanks alot.

Seachem Cupramine or Mardel Coppersafe

[new2salttanks]

Is a 2 gallon tank too small for a QT tank?

[Salty150]

Originally Posted by new2salttanks

Is a 2 gallon tank too small for a QT tank?

Yes...

What were you planning on putting in it?

[new2salttanks]

Originally Posted by Salty150

Yes...

What were you planning on putting in it?

Got a small clown with 3 white spots, I think it's ich. Have an extra 2 gallon tank just laying around couldn't decide if I needed bigger or not.