QT question, lots of reading posts = brain of ....

[ChrisAndJulie2012]

Hey guys,
I have finally set up a 20L for a QT tank.

I have done lots and lots and lots of reading.

I plan to QT for 30 days. Tank was salt water for a lil while then switched to fresh before I bought it from prior owner.

My question is, can I just observe the fish while in the QT tank? And see if they will actually be sick? The LPS actually treats his for sale tanks with Mardel Coppersafe already. My "test fish" are gonna be a pair of clowns, nothing fancy. I set up the QT tonight, how soon can I add these two? Def. go for 30 days of observation?

My next question is about the Copper testers, I like the idea of the Hanna electric tester I saw on marinedepot, will this test both copper treatments?

How is everybody combating evaporation in their QT tank if keeping the .5 or 1.5-20 ppm is so vital?

Sorry for the NOOB question, but I wanna make sure I do this tank right.

*back story, I was the one who never QT'd anything, started in 99 off and on through the years. Last tank 125 crashed due to ich from PBT and tore the tank down in 2016/7.*

 

[JumboShrimp]

Greetings! I’ll take a crack at some of your questions for you. I use CopperSafe, and a Hanna Checker (so if you have any questions, just ask). Meanwhile, I think 30-days of observation in a QT will make you feel great... until you find that something laid hidden until the stress of the DT brought it out—possibly affecting other fish. Might you not want to just use the copper for the 30 days, anyway? (I realize your LFS ‘claims’ they QT in copper— but them claiming they do, and you actually doing it correctly, and for certain, are two different things.)

 

[Waters]

You are going to find a lot of different opinions on being proactive with treatments. I personally wouldn't treat anything unless something needs to be treated. I would observe, make sure they are eating, and introduce when it is time. You can keep the SG stable just like you would in a DT.....either by adding water throughout the day (maybe use a lid to hold some of the evaporation in?) or use a nano ATO. Sorry, I can't answer any questions regarding copper.....I have never used it

 

[ChrisAndJulie2012]

Thank you for the replies, greatly appreciated. I think I will try to get my hands on some coppersafe and keep the fish the best I can at therapeutic copper lvls. I know for a fact that the owner treats his tanks as the fish come in. He looks as protecting his investment. He is well known in our area and very well trusted. Started out cleaning/set ups and just finally started his own lil store.