Poll: What is your Preferred QT Method

[dbl]

Yesterday’s featured poll discussed whether it’s possible for a tank to be considered ich free. The results, as of this writing, were 52% said yes. The consensus is that if a proper QT protocol is adhered to, it’s possible to maintain an ich free tank. I’m not suggesting this is actually the case or not, simply sharing my interpretation of the results.

I thought it would be interesting to see what the preferred method of QT is for those that do so. No real way to capture all the possibilities/methods for a poll, so I’ve tried to include the most popular methods I’m aware of. There are certainly other methods, which is why one of the choices is “other”. There is even an option for those that don't QT at all.

 

[ihavecrabs]

I have personally not QT'd any of my fish previously due to lack of knowledge, space, and dedication to do so. That led to a large die off of my tank inhabitants other than a few that had a solid enough immune system to fight the infection.

My latest system (currently in the build phase) has a slew of quarantine space. I have two 10 gallons, a 30 breeder, 40 breeder (if needed for larger fish), and a 20 gallon high for coral, inverts, and snails. I plan to quarantine everything for 76 days while prophylactically treating with prazipro and copper if the fish allows for it. Any that are non-copper safe fish will go through TTM.

I also plan to take some of the advantages from Paul B's process and to feed a variety of foods like live blood worms among other things to ensure good bacteria in the fish guts.

 

[Amps Reef Life]

I just started a new tank in the house I bought and started QT-ing all fish. I have a 20 gallon QT tank setup and another tank I'm thinking about setting up for QT that's bigger if I cant get rid of it. I've been doing only freshwater dips and copper if needed. I QT the fish for 3-4 weeks while observing and medicating if needed. Before I lived in an apartment and did not QT due to lack of space.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Observation only, treat as needed. I qt my fish for up to 6 weeks. This past round I was fortunate enough to have no fish illnesses during my qt.

 

[A Toadstool Leather]

I dont qt fish since I only got one fish. Corals get a quick look before I put them in. I have no need for a real qt setup for 1 fish.

 

[ca1ore]

I QT all fish, for at least 6 weeks ..... often longer. Mostly just observation, with treatments as required. Maintain a full stable of meds.

 

[Jim C]

After medicating with no success as of late, I’m trying observation only for the first time, especially since I have wrasses.

 

[atoll]

1/Float bag in the DT
2/Mix water for a short period of time.
3/ Release fish into DT.
QT done, relax and watch my tank thriving.

 

[don_chuwish]

I've settled on 'observe and respond'. If they stay healthy for the full month then I won't treat them with anything. I've tried prophylactic treatments before that always seemed more harm than good. If I see any problems I'll treat for them then.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

Woah. Absolutely astonished at the percentage on here that don't QT. I'm not judging, I just felt like this forum was unanimous in its QT practicing. I set up an IM10 to use as an observation QT but then my clowns decided to get a divorce and I no longer have that free tank.

 

[Rakie]

Well, a couple things...

First -- Lots of people, especially those who've worked in the industry swear they've had more complications from QT'ing their fish than dipping and introducing them with an acclimation box.

Now obviously, this is debatable, with the likes of Austin Lefevre whose given multiple MACNA talks on the subject disagrees. He also runs Cherry Fish, and AquaBox for what it's worth, so he's definitely a great source for this information.

All that said -- I don't have any room for a proper QT. It's just not possible for me... It would be nice, but I can't make it happen. SO I dip and put in an acclimation box for a few days to see how things get along.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

I have personally not QT'd any of my fish previously due to lack of knowledge, space, and dedication to do so. That led to a large die off of my tank inhabitants other than a few that had a solid enough immune system to fight the infection.

My latest system (currently in the build phase) has a slew of quarantine space. I have two 10 gallons, a 30 breeder, 40 breeder (if needed for larger fish), and a 20 gallon high for coral, inverts, and snails. I plan to quarantine everything for 76 days while prophylactically treating with prazipro and copper if the fish allows for it. Any that are non-copper safe fish will go through TTM.

I also plan to take some of the advantages from Paul B's process and to feed a variety of foods like live blood worms among other things to ensure good bacteria in the fish guts.

I believe this will become the norm for advanced hobbyist alike

 

[saltyhog]

It depends on the species of fish. For wrasses, hardy or copper sensitive fish I treat with TTM, General cure x 2 and observe in a cycled QT for 4-6 weeks longer.

All other fish, CP + General Cure+observation(fattening up!)

 

[Huff747]

I do QT but it doesn't quite match up with any of the options so I went with other. I have a dedicated bare bottom QT tank and I use Prazi, first dose after I've seen them eat and then observe. I have copper and other meds on hand but I'm a bit intimidated by copper with it's testing and ramping it up slowly but not too slowly, and it can't fall below therapeutic levels or you start over and some fish are sensitive to it and other tests (ammonia) won't work and so on.

 

[Kremis]

I dont qt anything

 

[fragit]

I only QT fish, I use both CP and TTM. I CP what I can and the rest goes through TTM.

 

[Richards_reef]

Observation and then treatment if necessary. I messed up this last round and introduced my qt'ed fish too early. Now I am still trying to get the rest of the fish out of the display for treatment. This is the first time I've made this mistake since switching from fresh water. Oh well win some lose some.
For ich I do hypo salinity

 

[jsker]

1/Float bag in the DT
2/Mix water for a short period of time.
3/ Release fish into DT.
QT done, relax and watch my tank thriving.

This is the best method of QT that I have found so far

 

[kalare]

Holy Moly...I just voted and then noticed that over 40% of those that have voted do not quarantine. To all that do not Q, sooner or later something bad will happen, I seriously suggest setting up a small 10-20 gallon Q tank for all new additions. I've been reefing for over 20 years, and for the first 5 never quarantined...until I had several rounds of ick and had to empty my whole tank and remove all the rock to capture and treat the fish.

I've been quarantining ever since, proactively treating for ick with CP, and other parasites with powder prazi. Even with my Q procedure, just last year I got lazy, only Q'd for 3 weeks in CP, introduced a fish to an established tank, and the next week, by powder blue had ick. Had to tear tank apart to catch the fish, etc, etc. Never again, 6 wks min continuous CP and prazi from here on out.

 

[jsker]

Holy Moly...I just voted and then noticed that over 40% of those that have voted do not quarantine. To all that do not Q, sooner or later something bad will happen, I seriously suggest setting up a small 10-20 gallon Q tank for all new additions. I've been reefing for over 20 years, and for the first 5 never quarantined...until I had several rounds of ick and had to empty my whole tank and remove all the rock to capture and treat the fish.

I've been quarantining ever since, proactively treating for ick with CP, and other parasites with powder prazi. Even with my Q procedure, just last year I got lazy, only Q'd for 3 weeks in CP, introduced a fish to an established tank, and the next week, by powder blue had ick. Had to tear tank apart to catch the fish, etc, etc. Never again, 6 wks min continuous CP and prazi from here on out.

It's not what the trend is, it is what make a reefer comfortable, from experiences.