Need help understanding QT

[jpontier212]

I want to understand the full logic of a quarantine tank. If the fish never get to see each other because they're in separate quarters, how is this beneficial in the acclimating process? Is it that they smell like each other because they've been in the same water? Or is the quarantine strictly for avoiding an ich outbreak if the fish is stressed? But I'd the fish lasts let's say a month in the QT, and then goes in the DP and gets chased around for a week isn't it pointless?

 

[jpontier212]

I want to understand the full logic of a quarantine tank. If the fish never get to see each other because they're in separate quarters, how is this beneficial in the acclimating process? Is it that they smell like each other because they've been in the same water? Or is the quarantine strictly for avoiding an ich outbreak if the fish is stressed? But I'd the fish lasts let's say a month in the QT, and then goes in the DP and gets chased around for a week isn't it pointless?

But if the. (Word correct )

 

[cowboy]

Some of the big benefits of QT allows you to target that fish and observe to insure that its not sick, eating properly, and can be treated quickly without harming any other inhabitants. Look at it this way you spend 1000 dollars on various fish, corals, and invertebrates would you rather risk the whole system or minimize the risk by QT.

 

[Duke4Life]

A good quarantine prevents diseases from entering your DT and possibly wiping out. Diseases are 1 of the risk in this hobby I hate to say. These IMO are invaluable if time is taken and done correctly. You may get lucky for a while but chances are high of a disease breakout at some point.

 

[Maritimer]

After a month or more in your care, your new fish will likely be pretty healthy and well-fed, compared to what it was after bouncing from the Philippines to Hawaii, to California, to your LFS where it spent precisely one day before being tossed into a bag for a trip to your house. It's used to your water. It likes your food. It's confidence has returned. A transfer across the room? Not so bad.

If you've got some rough customers in your display, and you're worried that they might attack the new guy, you can place the new fellow into a "social acclimation box", a clear box with ventilation, for a few days, allowing the established residents to become accustomed to the new one. That usually works fairly well, believe it or not . . .

Oh, and by the way? You've had a chance to eliminate any diseases the new fish may have been carrying, so they don't get passed around your tank and kill all of your favorite fish.

That's a win, all 'round!

~Bruce