My first post!

JyB818 · Sep 22, 2017

Hello R2R. I've been stalking this site for a while. I started by reading "The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Aquarium". Along with many other posts. There's so much info on here it makes my head swim. In addition I've watched the BRS 52 Weeks of Reefing on YouTube. And about a billion other videos.

There's a question coming...eventually.

For about the past year I've been obsessed with starting my own reef tank with a mix of corals and fish. I've found the location in my townhouse, done sketch after sketch of how I want to build the tank, sump, stand, lights, etc. I've decided it will be a custom made stand and canopy to house the lights. I will also be building myself a 5'x2'x2' x 1/2" thick (150 gallon) acrylic tank and a 3'x1.5'x1.5' acrylic sump. I'm on a tight budget, and I enjoy the whole DIY aspect to it. The plan is to take it slow.

Many years ago I had a small (maybe 30 gallon) with anemones and a clown, a picasso trigger and a dwarf lion. That was up and running for about 3 years before I broke it down to move and I just never put it back up. I currently have a 30 gallon freshwater. So I've been around the hobby. But am by no means lying to myself about how challenging this will probably be. I have zero experience with reefing. Just a lot of studying. But I think I'm ready to make the leap.

So here's the question that I can't seem to find an answer to...
When I'm into the cycling process, and the time comes to add a clean up crew, does the clean up crew need to be quarantined? My thought is "no" since there is nothing but bacteria living in the tank.

Ok, two questions...
When adding the very first fish and/or coral. I mean the very first one. Does that need to be quarantined?

I know beyond this state I should quarantine everything.

Thank you in advance. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

reeferfoxx · Sep 22, 2017

Welcome to R2R! Great questions!

Yes fish should be QT'd. Corals can be QT'd but not as important as dipping corals. Also, fish and corals shouldn't be QT'd together.

Snails do not need to be QT'd but should be inspected for pyramid snails and/or eggs. Doesn't matter the eggs ID so much as the risks. Hope that helps.

deedubz · Sep 22, 2017

Welcome to r2r!

Mikey Mane The Flare · Sep 22, 2017

Ok. I was like you when I set up lol. (With the tight budget and having experience with FW) so tight that my reek tank is still not done. But that's ok.

Iv had my reef in a 30 gallon with a hang on back bio wheel filter, a heater, and a AI prime HD light. Light is the most important when planning a reef tank so plan on spending there... I went for a higher end light that is budget friendly. Case being I'm not going to be home to switch from day to night and it also ramps up and down slow witch helps with coral stress.

Then I upgraded into a 55 gallon. All the same equipment. Slowly I was able to get a bigger heater. A skimmer witch I didn't have at all. And just today I bought my other light.

To answer your questions. I personally have never quarantined any thing. The only thing I wish I would have done was RO/DI dip my live rock and coral as I did get some pest in my tank witch was hell to get rid of.

I'll probably get bad feedback from this but iv also put fish in as soon as the water clears up. I'm old school and cycling with fish is how I doit. Now days some cycle with only life rock and it takes like 2 months that would totally kill me to look at a empty tank.

dansreef · Sep 22, 2017

I have been in the hobby for.... well suffice to say.... too long. I have spent way too much money on fish and corals over the years. I have had success and failure.... It is part of the hobby. All this said, I have never Quarantined fish or coral. I have had issues with that. You name it... it has occurred. It is a struggle at times.

There is a train of thought that QT of fish actually can stress them out if it is not closely monitored and managed. If you get your fish from someone who is trustworthy and had a good reputation, then QT may not be as important. Also, it is my experience some fish are more tricky than others. If you want to do the work in putting a QT together and then monitoring and managing it...then there are a ton of great resources here on R2R to do that. If you want to "Risk" it ...and go a bit more "Old School"... you can do that too. Just find a good supplier for your fish. I have a couple of shops that I can pay for the fish and they will hold them in their tank for a couple of weeks. If they die... I get a refund. I also have a couple of stores that QT their stock and wont sell me fish until they are healthy and eating like pigs. Even still, there is no guarantees....

Welcome to the addiction!

flsalty · Sep 22, 2017

I've done the old school no quarantine thing and, to me, it's just not worth it. So here is what I will do on my next reef:

Initial CUC: Observe in QT tank for pyramid snails and other pests. Put in tank. No fish for 76 days. (Basically, you can add anything you want as long as you wait 76 days after that to add fish.

Corals: Dip and QT for 76 days

Fish:Tank Transfer Method. Observe in QT for a number of days.

Everything else: QT for 76 days.

Some people will say that is overkill...as they try and figure out what to do with that ich in their tank. And if it's something that can't survive a quarantine I don't want it.