How many of us actually Quarintine???

SALTFISHDUDE · 08/23/2004, 12:00 AM

Do you **and answer honestly** use a QT when you are about to introduce a new fish into your display tank???

Please vote above and feel free to share any thoughts below

TippyToeX · 08/23/2004, 12:11 AM

I do. It is never worth the risk of introducing sick fish into my display tanks for me. QT is an easy setup and has so little stress for the new fish compared to the main tank.

I can treat any sick fish and if it is healthy, just pamper it until I feel ready to put it in the main tank.

Wiskey · 08/23/2004, 12:15 AM

I buy my fish from the only shop in phoenix that keeps their livestock in Q for 1 month before putting them on display. Although not a perfect sulution but I live in a apt and am currently using what was supposed to be my Q tank for a breeder tank. I am also unclear how a uncycled tank with no bacteria, filtration or protien skimmer, could keep the ammonia in your water down for the month Q.

Whiskey

limitup · 08/23/2004, 12:28 AM

I might start after introducing a new Regal Tang last week and now he has ich. It just seems like such a hassle to run a QT tank. I guess I need to do more research on the best way to do it ...

@LVIN · 08/23/2004, 01:10 AM

i'd rather wait the rest of the quarantine period than introduce parasites to my tank.

limitup · 08/23/2004, 01:13 AM

Another problem I have is that I have an in-wall tank with a small closed room behind it. It gets very hot in there and so I have to run a chiller. Unless I attached the QT tank to a chiller it would get way too hot, and I don't see how I could attach it to the existing chiller. I really don't have anywhere else in the house to keep a QT tank so that makes it even more difficult ...

Cearbhaill · 08/23/2004, 03:35 AM

There are always a million excuses why "insert my unbelievably unique problem here" folks do not use a quarantine tank.

Considering what most of us have invested in our systems it just seems unfathomably foolish to skip something so cheap, so simple, and so effective.

One simple glance around the Forums at all the "how do I catch him" and "what do I do now?" posts should be enough to convince anyone on the virtues of quarantine.

And trusting my entire system to the husbandry of a LFS quarantine is equally unfathomable.

Quarantine works.
It is cheap.
Period.

Aaron1100us · 08/23/2004, 04:06 AM

Never have and never will. Never had any problems what so ever. I feel it just adds more stress by having to catch the fish again and move them to the main aquarium. Just acclimate them right and you'll be fine.

MI0706 · 08/23/2004, 05:33 AM

I also think buying live stock from reputable places helps... Not talking about mail order here...

I get my livestock from Aquarium World in Lafayette, IN (known as a very good LFS) and from Inland Aquatics (Terre Haute, IN which really doesn't need to much of an introduction around here)... Both are within driving distance (45 minutes)... I feel completely safe, with the above mentioned, that I receive disease free and healthy livestock...

quandary_23 · 08/23/2004, 05:48 AM

Nope,
Good lfs (marine scene) around me currently where I got my one and only fish, but I am moving soon so I will have to find a good lfs around the Palm Beach, FL area.

finding nemo · 08/23/2004, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wiskey
I buy my fish from the only shop in phoenix that keeps their livestock in Q for 1 month before putting them on display. Although not a perfect sulution but I live in a apt and am currently using what was supposed to be my Q tank for a breeder tank. I am also unclear how a uncycled tank with no bacteria, filtration or protien skimmer, could keep the ammonia in your water down for the month Q.

Whiskey

Hi whiskey, welcome to the RC boards, I am in chandler, are you new to the valley?

finding nemo · 08/23/2004, 05:54 AM

I have never done it, I have never had ick or desease introduced into my tanks. I buy fish from Petco, and several salt water stores and have never had a problem.

Yose · 08/23/2004, 05:58 AM

When I started this hobby, everybody that I talked to said, "Put up a Q tank. You won't be sorry" I did exactly that. I use it everytime I get a new fish. I don't believe it's worth risking my show tank if something were to happen.

Frick-n-Frags · 08/23/2004, 06:09 AM

Nope.

It is amazing how little problems there are when there are only one or two fish in a 200gal system and the fish aren't even in the same tank.

A long time ago, when I only had 1 fish in a 90, I watched a couple spots of ich just go away on a new arrival after a week, never to be seen again. IMO, with a sparse, very unstressed, fish poulation and a decent poulation of filter feeders the ich doesn't have a chance vs a bunch of sardines in a can.

Many other fungal/bacterial type diseases are ever present and opportunistic on stress weakened fish. Most quarantine setups are like a jail cell and I think help stress the fish and set them up for other maladies besides the communicable parasites.

However, IF I had a bunch of fish, you bet I would set up a nice decent sized cozy setup for quarantining. It is pretty naive to assume that ich can't go through a well stocked tank like Grant through Richmond, and even if a new fish doesn't have a cyst, it could definitely have brought some in with it.

(This is a good arguement for a quick hypo dip to explode any hitcher nasties riding along on/with the fish after acclimation and NEVER EVER put fish store water in your system)

djaz0503 · 08/23/2004, 06:27 AM

I agree with Frick-N-Frags, all my tanks are lightly stocked with fish (26g-1 maroon clown, 37g-pair of percs and LMB, 55g- 1 perc, one chromis, and one LMB). I've never quarantined any of my fish and rarely add fish to any of my tanks. And all the fish that are in my tanks have come from other hobbyist tanks not the LFS. So for those who are heavily stocked with fish I can understand quarantining their new fish, but for me its no big worry.

fishdoc11 · 08/23/2004, 06:49 AM

Not QTing new fish is like playing Russian roulette with your tank. It's just not worth it. I can tell everyone who doesn't has never had to tear down a reef tank to get all the fish out. It's not fun. Then you have to wait 6 weeks to put em all back in.
Chris

Toledofishguy · 08/23/2004, 06:56 AM

Why would you not qt? Its cheap, easy, and allows your fish a chance to eat without competition. Lord knows when its last meal was, where it actually came from or how they caught it or how it was kept before it got to you. Not to mention how hard they are to catch if there is a problem. Russian roulette is a good summary fishdoc11

reef10 · 08/23/2004, 12:05 PM

I don't. I also have a lightly stocked tank. For those that do qt: How do you figure it to be cheap? For fish you still need to maintain temperature and water quality. For coral you need to maintain lighting as well. I could see the water quality with some live rock and frequent water changes but this would require time before it would be ready - mature tank. Of the people who quaritine what do you use for lighting while qt coral? Is it the same as over the display tank?

MiddletonMark · 08/23/2004, 12:17 PM

I consider my QT a `spa for fish'.
Quiet, mellow location ... no competitors. Good water quality, feeding ... about 5 feet from the new salt mixing container + drain, located to be quiet and easy to keep up.
I have a slightly unique QT ... base rock + sandbed, seeded from my tanks, brimming with life ... if I have to treat with meds, no big loss [1/4 bag southdown + previously dry rock ... $20?].
But, given it's a nice environment ... no issue yet. Runs full time [heater, powerhead ... NO light only run when fish are in there].

Hard to not make it a nano-tank.

If you stock super light in your display, then maybe that's a different ballgame [esp if one fish in the tank, nothing to pass it to]. But IMO, the average reefkeeper stocks heavy.

---
For coral, so much depends. For me, on the coral. Zoanthids are FW dipped, inspected + not QT'ed. I've QT'ed some softies ... and will just be treating any future Acropora with Interceptor.

It's a tougher call with corals ... where for fish it's worth it if it just saves catching your fish once.

WifesaysImnuts · 08/23/2004, 12:21 PM

I answered yes always, but that's not entirely true. If I get a fish from a certain LFS in my area I don't because they quarantine everything in the store for two weeks before selling it or moving it to one of their display tanks. They'll let you reserve the fish but they won't let you take it home before that.

So I guess that all my fish are quarantined whether I do it or someone else does, that's why I said yes.

Toledofishguy · 08/23/2004, 12:33 PM

A 10 gallon qt tank is cheap. You can get a rubbermaid container (1-3 bucks), a small heater (8 bucks) and whisper carbon filter (12 bucks) and a few pieces of pvc pipe for hiding (3 bucks). Change out water every few days for clean water. Once you buy this stuff once you have it forever and can be set up quickly again for emergency circumstances. Isnt it worth $25 bucks to protect your thousands of dollars investment.

onefin · 08/23/2004, 12:35 PM

I should but i don't, been very lucky.

Entropy · 08/23/2004, 12:35 PM

I quarantine my fish in my display tank.

I think having a seperate quarantine tank is a great idea but it has never been feasible for me. I have paid the price for this once so far (almost total loss to ich). Probably the best solution (short of running your own Q tank) is to just get your fish from other hobbyists with known tanks. This way your fish are pre quarantined and already acclimated to tank life. The problem is you have to find people that want to get rid of the paticular fish you are looking for. Still, this is how I got a couple of my favorite fish (especially my bi color blenny).

cypres · 08/23/2004, 12:53 PM

I have never QT'ed any of my fish. It would probably be a good idea. Maybe when I move next summer I will set one up.

reef10 · 08/23/2004, 01:29 PM

Toledofishguy:
Your setup does not sound like it will handle the nitrogen cycle - no live rock or bioballs. Carbon does not filter ammonia right? Are you trying to keep the ammonia in check with massive frequent water changes? Do you think the WC are stressful to the new arrivals? What WC interval do you follow and do you test for ammonia - nitrites while QT. What do you use for lighting?

View Poll Results: Do you use a QT
Yes, all the time	98	23.56%
Only for certain species	57	13.70%
No, never	261	62.74%
Voters: 416. You may not vote on this poll

08/23/2004, 12:00 AM	#1
SALTFISHDUDE Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Toronto, Ontario, CANADA Posts: 707	How many of us actually Quarintine??? Do you and answer honestly use a QT when you are about to introduce a new fish into your display tank??? Please vote above and feel free to share any thoughts below __________________ SALTFISHDUDE 55G Long All-Glass Tank (48x18x12 inches) Aqua C Remora Skimmer Aquaclear 300 Power Filter 2 MJ 1200's 1 Powerhead 301 Visi-Therm 150 watt Heater 216watts T5 Lighting (4x54w Tek-Light) Current Tank Info: FOWLR hoping to turn REEF-----Current Livestock: 1 Percula Clown, 2 Green Chromis, 1 Royal Gramma, 1 Cleaner Shrimp, Cleaner Crew, 80 Pounds LR

08/23/2004, 12:11 AM	#2
TippyToeX Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 10,711	I do. It is never worth the risk of introducing sick fish into my display tanks for me. QT is an easy setup and has so little stress for the new fish compared to the main tank. I can treat any sick fish and if it is healthy, just pamper it until I feel ready to put it in the main tank. __________________ -Amy-

08/23/2004, 12:15 AM	#3
Wiskey Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Fallbrook, CA Posts: 3,049	I buy my fish from the only shop in phoenix that keeps their livestock in Q for 1 month before putting them on display. Although not a perfect sulution but I live in a apt and am currently using what was supposed to be my Q tank for a breeder tank. I am also unclear how a uncycled tank with no bacteria, filtration or protien skimmer, could keep the ammonia in your water down for the month Q. Whiskey __________________ This video shows 15 months of coral growth in my tank in a 30 second timelapse: https://youtu.be/bF6C57aTDEo

08/23/2004, 03:35 AM	#7
Cearbhaill Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: South Florida USA Posts: 2,003	There are always a million excuses why "insert my unbelievably unique problem here" folks do not use a quarantine tank. Considering what most of us have invested in our systems it just seems unfathomably foolish to skip something so cheap, so simple, and so effective. One simple glance around the Forums at all the "how do I catch him" and "what do I do now?" posts should be enough to convince anyone on the virtues of quarantine. And trusting my entire system to the husbandry of a LFS quarantine is equally unfathomable. Quarantine works. It is cheap. Period. __________________ The answer to every single question in reefkeeping begins with "It depends..."

08/23/2004, 12:28 AM	#4
limitup Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 430	I might start after introducing a new Regal Tang last week and now he has ich. It just seems like such a hassle to run a QT tank. I guess I need to do more research on the best way to do it ...

08/23/2004, 01:10 AM	#5
@LVIN Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dubai, UAE Posts: 123	i'd rather wait the rest of the quarantine period than introduce parasites to my tank.

08/23/2004, 01:13 AM	#6
limitup Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 430	Another problem I have is that I have an in-wall tank with a small closed room behind it. It gets very hot in there and so I have to run a chiller. Unless I attached the QT tank to a chiller it would get way too hot, and I don't see how I could attach it to the existing chiller. I really don't have anywhere else in the house to keep a QT tank so that makes it even more difficult ...

08/23/2004, 04:06 AM	#8
Aaron1100us Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Posts: 2,166	Never have and never will. Never had any problems what so ever. I feel it just adds more stress by having to catch the fish again and move them to the main aquarium. Just acclimate them right and you'll be fine. __________________ How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges Current Tank Info: rebuilding going from 75 to a 90RR

08/23/2004, 05:33 AM	#9
MI0706 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Crawfordsville, IN Posts: 111	I also think buying live stock from reputable places helps... Not talking about mail order here... I get my livestock from Aquarium World in Lafayette, IN (known as a very good LFS) and from Inland Aquatics (Terre Haute, IN which really doesn't need to much of an introduction around here)... Both are within driving distance (45 minutes)... I feel completely safe, with the above mentioned, that I receive disease free and healthy livestock...

08/23/2004, 05:48 AM	#10
quandary_23 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: FL Posts: 178	Nope, Good lfs (marine scene) around me currently where I got my one and only fish, but I am moving soon so I will have to find a good lfs around the Palm Beach, FL area. __________________ "You have to kick the crap out of the darkness in order to make it bleed daylight" Not mine, but still good nonetheless Current Tank Info: 40 Cube Reef / 46 Bow FO

08/23/2004, 05:54 AM	#12
finding nemo Moved On Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Canton Texas Posts: 4,679	I have never done it, I have never had ick or desease introduced into my tanks. I buy fish from Petco, and several salt water stores and have never had a problem.

08/23/2004, 05:58 AM	#13
Yose Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Reading, Pennsylvania Posts: 651	When I started this hobby, everybody that I talked to said, "Put up a Q tank. You won't be sorry" I did exactly that. I use it everytime I get a new fish. I don't believe it's worth risking my show tank if something were to happen. __________________ Yose Current Tank Info: Marineland 300DD - Deltec - 1200W SBReef Lights

08/23/2004, 06:09 AM	#14
Frick-n-Frags Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: north central OH Posts: 10,740	Nope. It is amazing how little problems there are when there are only one or two fish in a 200gal system and the fish aren't even in the same tank. A long time ago, when I only had 1 fish in a 90, I watched a couple spots of ich just go away on a new arrival after a week, never to be seen again. IMO, with a sparse, very unstressed, fish poulation and a decent poulation of filter feeders the ich doesn't have a chance vs a bunch of sardines in a can. Many other fungal/bacterial type diseases are ever present and opportunistic on stress weakened fish. Most quarantine setups are like a jail cell and I think help stress the fish and set them up for other maladies besides the communicable parasites. However, IF I had a bunch of fish, you bet I would set up a nice decent sized cozy setup for quarantining. It is pretty naive to assume that ich can't go through a well stocked tank like Grant through Richmond, and even if a new fish doesn't have a cyst, it could definitely have brought some in with it. (This is a good arguement for a quick hypo dip to explode any hitcher nasties riding along on/with the fish after acclimation and NEVER EVER put fish store water in your system) __________________ Only Dead fish swim with the current. Current Tank Info: 2 50 gal tanks, sump, still BB

08/23/2004, 06:27 AM	#15
djaz0503 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 349	I agree with Frick-N-Frags, all my tanks are lightly stocked with fish (26g-1 maroon clown, 37g-pair of percs and LMB, 55g- 1 perc, one chromis, and one LMB). I've never quarantined any of my fish and rarely add fish to any of my tanks. And all the fish that are in my tanks have come from other hobbyist tanks not the LFS. So for those who are heavily stocked with fish I can understand quarantining their new fish, but for me its no big worry.

08/23/2004, 06:49 AM	#16
fishdoc11 catch and release Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Old Hickory,TN Posts: 13,237	Not QTing new fish is like playing Russian roulette with your tank. It's just not worth it. I can tell everyone who doesn't has never had to tear down a reef tank to get all the fish out. It's not fun. Then you have to wait 6 weeks to put em all back in. Chris __________________ "Try to learn something about everything and everything about something" -- Thomas H. Huxley Current Tank Info: 70 gallon mixed reef

08/23/2004, 06:56 AM	#17
Toledofishguy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 884	Why would you not qt? Its cheap, easy, and allows your fish a chance to eat without competition. Lord knows when its last meal was, where it actually came from or how they caught it or how it was kept before it got to you. Not to mention how hard they are to catch if there is a problem. Russian roulette is a good summary fishdoc11 __________________ Mike - Columbus Current Tank Info: 120 under t-5 lighting

08/23/2004, 12:05 PM	#18
reef10 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: hampton roads VA Posts: 222	I don't. I also have a lightly stocked tank. For those that do qt: How do you figure it to be cheap? For fish you still need to maintain temperature and water quality. For coral you need to maintain lighting as well. I could see the water quality with some live rock and frequent water changes but this would require time before it would be ready - mature tank. Of the people who quaritine what do you use for lighting while qt coral? Is it the same as over the display tank?

08/23/2004, 12:17 PM	#19
MiddletonMark Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 14,441	I consider my QT a `spa for fish'. Quiet, mellow location ... no competitors. Good water quality, feeding ... about 5 feet from the new salt mixing container + drain, located to be quiet and easy to keep up. I have a slightly unique QT ... base rock + sandbed, seeded from my tanks, brimming with life ... if I have to treat with meds, no big loss [1/4 bag southdown + previously dry rock ... $20?]. But, given it's a nice environment ... no issue yet. Runs full time [heater, powerhead ... NO light only run when fish are in there]. Hard to not make it a nano-tank. If you stock super light in your display, then maybe that's a different ballgame [esp if one fish in the tank, nothing to pass it to]. But IMO, the average reefkeeper stocks heavy. --- For coral, so much depends. For me, on the coral. Zoanthids are FW dipped, inspected + not QT'ed. I've QT'ed some softies ... and will just be treating any future Acropora with Interceptor. It's a tougher call with corals ... where for fish it's worth it if it just saves catching your fish once. __________________ read a lot, think for yourself Current Tank Info: 58g stony reef [250w10k, 250w 20k MH, 2x vho act, Octopus150, 6060 + 6000] ; 60g mixed tub

08/23/2004, 12:21 PM	#20
WifesaysImnuts Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Littleton CO Posts: 509	I answered yes always, but that's not entirely true. If I get a fish from a certain LFS in my area I don't because they quarantine everything in the store for two weeks before selling it or moving it to one of their display tanks. They'll let you reserve the fish but they won't let you take it home before that. So I guess that all my fish are quarantined whether I do it or someone else does, that's why I said yes. __________________ Patrick Current Tank Info: 180 Oceanic RR

08/23/2004, 12:33 PM	#21
Toledofishguy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 884	A 10 gallon qt tank is cheap. You can get a rubbermaid container (1-3 bucks), a small heater (8 bucks) and whisper carbon filter (12 bucks) and a few pieces of pvc pipe for hiding (3 bucks). Change out water every few days for clean water. Once you buy this stuff once you have it forever and can be set up quickly again for emergency circumstances. Isnt it worth $25 bucks to protect your thousands of dollars investment. __________________ Mike - Columbus Current Tank Info: 120 under t-5 lighting

08/23/2004, 12:35 PM	#22
onefin Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Hurricane Alley Posts: 1,621	I should but i don't, been very lucky. __________________ "Click my little red house to visit my Lagoon" Current Tank Info: 125 gallon /40gallon Ecosystem

08/23/2004, 12:35 PM	#23
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	I quarantine my fish in my display tank. I think having a seperate quarantine tank is a great idea but it has never been feasible for me. I have paid the price for this once so far (almost total loss to ich). Probably the best solution (short of running your own Q tank) is to just get your fish from other hobbyists with known tanks. This way your fish are pre quarantined and already acclimated to tank life. The problem is you have to find people that want to get rid of the paticular fish you are looking for. Still, this is how I got a couple of my favorite fish (especially my bi color blenny). __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

08/23/2004, 12:53 PM	#24
cypres Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 156	I have never QT'ed any of my fish. It would probably be a good idea. Maybe when I move next summer I will set one up.

08/23/2004, 01:29 PM	#25
reef10 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: hampton roads VA Posts: 222	Toledofishguy: Your setup does not sound like it will handle the nitrogen cycle - no live rock or bioballs. Carbon does not filter ammonia right? Are you trying to keep the ammonia in check with massive frequent water changes? Do you think the WC are stressful to the new arrivals? What WC interval do you follow and do you test for ammonia - nitrites while QT. What do you use for lighting?