Quarantine Tank Water Source

Squishie89 · Jan 23, 2014

It has been a while since I QTed a fish on my own. Just set up a 20L for the next 3 fish that are a bit larger and swim a lot more (Copperband, wantanabei angel and purple tang, not all at once). I plan on using a sponge from the sump to help with beneficial bacteria. My question is should I use water from the display to fill the tank, or make a fresh batch of saltwater?

Also my plan of attack is to use the new "Instant Quarantine" (Blue Life Safety Stop Instant Rapid Fish Quarantine Help Prevent Spread Disease | eBay) and then monitor for 3+ weeks. I will also be buying the fish from DiversDen (at least the CBB, not sure about the Wan. or the PT, those may come from a LFS). Any thoughts on this?

KoleTang · Jan 23, 2014

Unless your tank is very dirty it should be fine to use water change water. In fact I think most people do.

I've never heard of that Instant QT stuff. Seems kind of sketchy. Personally, I use a Paragaurd bath (or freshwater dip), then into the QT tank for a month with cupramine.

It is also a good idea to use an Ammonia Alert thing on the inside of the tank.

If you need more info, you may want to look in to mr. saltwater tank's QT guide. I found it pretty helpful myself.

Squishie89 · Jan 23, 2014

Yup I have his book, I love it, recommend it to everyone.

I am not a fan of medicating unless I have to and thought I would give the instant stuff a try especially with a DD fish which should be pretty darn healthy already. I have actually never medicated or given any bathes, just monitored.

Thank you for reminding me about the ammonia alerts, I have them but it slipped my mind!!

Thanks for your help!

KoleTang · Jan 23, 2014

No problem.

The instant quarantine stuff says it has formalin and methylene blue in it. Formalin can be pretty dangerous (There is a section in the QT guide on it). I wouldn't mess with it.

Cupramine is pretty gentle compared to traditional copper.

Kworker · Jan 24, 2014

The bacteria needed isn't in the water.. Leave a sponge filter in your sump and let a colony grow.. than use that in QT

-KC

saltyhog · Jan 24, 2014

While it would save some money there is nothing really beneficial about using tank water. As said above the bacteria are not in the water but the media. I cycled my QT with ceramic media in a large HOB filter and 100% ammonia.

One down side is almost everywhere you get fish from except DD and the rare LFS will have them in a much lower SG than your DT. No biggie to dilute with RO/DI but one more step. If you have nitrates in your DT that could cause a little bit more algae problems in the QT but that's the only other down side I can think of to using tank water.

If you only plan to observe and not treat then you need to keep the fish in QT for a LONG time. I've had fish in observation that didn't show signs of disease till they had been in there 8+ weeks. Ich and particularly flukes are not always obvious. I have had DD fish with Ich and flukes. Don't assume they are free of parasites because they are good specimens from a good source.

Tradewinds · Jan 24, 2014

I use water from my DT, as the water parameters will be closer and thus less of a shock on the fish when transferring from QT to DT.

Mike J. · Jan 24, 2014

Well, your poll is 50/50. (What to do?) I use DT water and a filter that's been in the sump for a couple weeks.

Kworker · Jan 24, 2014

Use a filter that's been in sum for a few weeks, and use 50/50 new and DT water. Just test both.

-KC

Squishie89 · Jan 24, 2014

saltyhog said:
If you only plan to observe and not treat then you need to keep the fish in QT for a LONG time. I've had fish in observation that didn't show signs of disease till they had been in there 8+ weeks. Ich and particularly flukes are not always obvious. I have had DD fish with Ich and flukes. Don't assume they are free of parasites because they are good specimens from a good source.

Wow, thanks for the scare! I wonder if I should re-quarantine my display tank fish. I only watched for ~30 days.

saltyhog · Jan 24, 2014

Squishie89 said:
Wow, thanks for the scare! I wonder if I should re-quarantine my display tank fish. I only watched for ~30 days.

No, I wouldn't do that. You have a great chance that they're ok.

After that happened I have started treating all my fish with cupramine for 4 weeks. Then observe for 4 more weeks. Usually takes 9-10 weeks to get through QT (more if I think they need Prazipro treatment.

NC2WA · Feb 2, 2014

to start the QT you can use DT water, then regular water changes with RO water....that instant qt stuff, never heard it, so I wouldn't use it...

stunreefer · Feb 7, 2014

To add my experience with Safety Stop - I use on all incoming fish prior to going into QT. I've had great success with it and seemingly less issues arise in QT... seemingly. I QT a heck of a lot of fish though, constantly. SS is not a reason to skip QT IMO, it's an additional resource however.

I use fresh mixed saltwater in QT (voted).

Squishie89 · Feb 7, 2014

stunreefer said:
To add my experience with Safety Stop - I use on all incoming fish prior to going into QT. I've had great success with it and seemingly less issues arise in QT... seemingly. I QT a heck of a lot of fish though, constantly. SS is not a reason to skip QT IMO, it's an additional resource however.

I use fresh mixed saltwater in QT (voted).

Thank you so much!