New tank using TBS live rock/sand + QT question

[fulltang]

I'm in the process of setting up my first tank, a Fluval 13.5 and I have a question about QT. I'm planning on adding the TBS live rock/sand straight into my DT after arrival. I'm going to stick with just its hitchhikers until I'm comfortable with maintaining a reef tank, and have my routine down. I will add a clean up crew.

Now, I understand that by using TBS rock, it will come with come with parasites and other things that are generally unwanted. What would be the QT workflow when adding coral and fish after the TBS rock has been established? How long should I maintain just the TBS rock/hitchhikers/CuC before adding other livestock?

I haven't yet budgeted or planned on adding a QT tank, I was planning on doing that after I have a routine down with the TBS rock and the biodiversity that comes with it.

My interest lies primarily in coral, but I definitely would like to add some interesting inverts or a couple of small fish.

 

[EmdeReef]

Congrats on your first tank!

The odds of having enysted fish pathogens are pretty low, so from that perspective it’s probably safe to add fish whenever.

I think your bigger challenge with live rock is observing for unwanted crabs, mantis shrimp and other critters. You also want to check it for pest algae and anemones.

There’s a small chance it may come with a coral pest, especially if there are corals on the pieces you get.

I would observe the rocks for a couple of weeks, including at night with a flashlight and once you feel there’s nothing unusual you’re good to go.

 

[rushbattle]

I think you need to be fishless for at least 76 days. There is almost zero chance that there were zero fish parasites in environment where the rock is collected, the videos all show many fish in the immediate area where the rock is cultured.

 

[fulltang]

Congrats on your first tank!

The odds of having enysted fish pathogens are pretty low, so from that perspective it’s probably safe to add fish whenever.

I think your bigger challenge with live rock is observing for unwanted crabs, mantis shrimp and other critters. You also want to check it for pest algae and anemones.

There’s a small chance it may come with a coral pest, especially if there are corals on the pieces you get.

I would observe the rocks for a couple of weeks, including at night with a flashlight and once you feel there’s nothing unusual you’re good to go.

The journals that I've read of those who've used TBS rock do speak about the bad crabs and mantis shrimp, I'm looking at this as a crash course on dealing with pests. I'll have to look into the best way to identify and remove those, it would be nice to do that quickly before I transfer the rock into the tank. Although, I will probably just take it out of the bag and put it straight in since it'll be shipping from Florida to California.

I think you need to be fishless for at least 76 days. There is almost zero chance that there were zero fish parasites in environment where the rock is collected, the videos all show many fish in the immediate area where the rock is cultured.

That shouldn't be a problem.

 

[rushbattle]

There will be pest anemones (majanos), bad hitchhikers like crabs, and nuisance algaes. As long as you are ok with dealing with those issues, it’s a great way to start a system.