Are my QT setup(s) good enough? Foxfish distressed

[Mindblock769]

So i've set up 2 QT setups. One for fish and one for coral/inverts.

I just received my foxface today. Hes obviously distressed from his trip from CA to TX, but I want to make sure the setup I have for him is "good enough". Its only a 10gallon tank and will be transferred to my 54g DT once done there. I want to make sure hes getting enough o2.

Fish QT
1 small wave maker
1 50w heater one a Inkbird controller
HOB filter.
ATO from 5gal jug, feeds both tanks.

Coral/Invert QT
plane jane at the moment.

I'm a little worried because my QT room (my office) is the hottest room in the house. The foxface has not ate yet, i setup a algae clip with nori on it but has ignored it for about 5 hours now.

Still new to the hobby, and want to do it right!

(im also a little worried about all my electornics lol)

 

[moz71]

Your equipment is fine. Takes time for them to settle it may be up to several days before start eating. Don’t panick. 10 gallon is a little small but looks like he is small too so ok. It looks like you just set up. Since don’t have bacteria year for nitrificatiom you need to watch ammonia level closely. Do you have an ammonia badge. I find them helpful. If see ammonia rise need to do water changes.

 

[moz71]

Oops I see the badge. Goood going. Let him settle overnight and could be much better tomorrow. Good luck!

 

[Mindblock769]

Your equipment is fine. Takes time for them to settle it may be up to several days before start eating. Don’t panick. 10 gallon is a little small but looks like he is small too so ok. It looks like you just set up. Since don’t have bacteria year for nitrificatiom you need to watch ammonia level closely. Do you have an ammonia badge. I find them helpful. If see ammonia rise need to do water changes.

I do have an ammonia badge, but its not perfectly yellow. API kit says zero. I cycled the tank with turbofritz and ammonia, and followed dr tims schedule. I'll be doing testing daily for sure.

The tank probably is too small, but like you said hes only a few inches. He'll potentially outgrow my reefer 250, but I'll see about trading him later on. Just hope he lives that long!

 

[moz71]

I do have an ammonia badge, but its not perfectly yellow. API kit says zero. I cycled the tank with turbofritz and ammonia, and followed dr tims schedule. I'll be doing testing daily for sure.

The tank probably is too small, but like you said hes only a few inches. He'll potentially outgrow my reefer 250, but I'll see about trading him later on. Just hope he lives that long!

You are doing everything perfectly! He will settle. Many fish I had QT’d took more then several days to settle. I found a night in dark helps a lot. After acclimating them I often shut off lights till next day to allow them to chill. I would even feed the first day so the food doesn’t rot. Because many don’t eat right away.

 

[moz71]

Correction. Would NOT feed the first day

 

[moz71]

Hey different question. I see you have PH alert badge in tank. I thought the PH badge is only for freshwater? Unless things have changed don’t think that would be accurate.

 

[Mindblock769]

Hey different question. I see you have PH alert badge in tank. I thought the PH badge is only for freshwater? Unless things have changed don’t think that would be accurate.

Thanks bud!

Actually i'm not sure, but now that I look at it, it's definitely wrong. pH tested at 8.4 on a hannah meter, but this thing says like 7.4. I only put it in there because Petco only had the badge kit that came with both the ammonia and pH. So i figured id throw it in there, but now i see it is very inaccurate.

Also, i threw in one of those sponge air/move filters and he is moving around a lot more. He's spooking himself in the reflection. He changes into a brownish color when he's stressed. Hopefully he'll calm down tonight.

 

[moz71]

My foxface is largest fish In tank and still freaks himself out all the time always changing color That will never go away. Lol. Matter of fact I still have to back away from tank so he will come eat the algae in clip.

 

[Mindblock769]

So day 2, foxface is still looking pretty distressed and hasnt eaten.

Tested my parameters and to my surprise was showing .25-.50 ammonia. Did a 50% water change, added a little bit of prime, and a little bit of biospira.

Followed Dr Tims procedure and ammonia was at zero the next day on both ammonia doses. Going to mix up some salt this evening and go for another 50% water change tomorrow. I'm aware API accuracy isnt the best, but comparing my DT to QT API tests, the QT is certainly different. We'll see

 

[Mindblock769]

He ate! Granted it was like 3 very small nibbles but im glad to see it eats. Will probably wait another day or two before starting prophylactic treatment.

He has a sore on his nose, Im guessing from constantly fighting his reflection.

 

[moz71]

He ate! Granted it was like 3 very small nibbles but im glad to see it eats. Will probably wait another day or two before starting prophylactic treatment.

He has a sore on his nose, Im guessing from constantly fighting his reflection.

Great! just keep watching ammonia. What I do is let them get comfortable and eating a couple days before starting any medications. my personal believe is they survive much better though medications when less stressed and eating for awhile. But may be good if there is a sore.