Keeping Inverts Alive During QT

[Hugh Mann]

Previously I had not bothered to QT inverts, and it has cost me dearly after Velvet destroyed my livestock. I have since decided to QT absolutely everything going into my tank.

Anyways, my question is how to keep them alive and fed for 45-76 days as laid about by Humblefish.

Crabs and other carnivores would be easy, however things like snails, urchins and other such critters that eat algae, and lots of it, or other specialized diets. How is a person supposed to properly QT these while keeping them fed?
Cheers.

 

[AcroNem]

I supplement urchin(and some larger snail) diets with nori sheets. If they're going to be in your system for a fallow period you can continue to ghost feed or feed coral foods. That should keep some algae growing and leave food for clean up crew

 

[kput]

I've got a seperate frag tank set up that is my coral/Invert QT. Works well, as I've got a good quality light on there that grows a small amount of algae. I also feed frozen in the tank, pellets, etc. I tend to overgeed just to make sure there's a good supply, and it keeps nutrients running in the tank for the coral.

Also, studies show that Urchins and Starfish cannost host Ich/Velvet and quarantine is unecessary.

 

[Hugh Mann]

Yup, that is what the write up I read said. Just give them a good rinse in DT water and plunk 'em in.

My main concern would be the crabs, snails, shrimp, etc that could carry tomonts.

So by the sounds of it, as I am a fish guy, not a Coral guy, it would be best to have a specific tank for the single purpose of quarantining inverts. Keep it constantly running, growing algae. Keep a sort of "base population" to keep it in check, and run any inverts I want for the DT through it?

 

[kput]

Yup, that is what the write up I read said. Just give them a good rinse in DT water and plunk 'em in.

My main concern would be the crabs, snails, shrimp, etc that could carry tomonts.

So by the sounds of it, as I am a fish guy, not a Coral guy, it would be best to have a specific tank for the single purpose of quarantining inverts. Keep it constantly running, growing algae. Keep a sort of "base population" to keep it in check, and run any inverts I want for the DT through it?

That would the route I would take. You also might eventually be interested in adding some corals, so you'll be able to use it for multi-purpose if that ever comes about

 

[Hugh Mann]

Well alright then. I think an invert only/coral tank might be kinda fun. Half the reason I don't want corals is because a lot of the fish I like eat, spit on, or otherwise damage coral.
Probably easier to maintain the perameters without having fish muck up the balance too.

 

[PSU4ME]

Sinking algae pellets can also work for the snails