Setting up a quarantine tank

[fishnchip]

Inverts probably wont tolerate the lower salinity. You really need a separate QT for corals and inverts anyway. I keep mine at 1.026.

I do keep salinity low upon arrival with new fish. But I slowly increase it by topping off with saltwater opposed to fresh until I get the salinity matching my DT.

Just curious as to why inverts need a separate QT system? Is it because they are intolerant of meds?

 

[HotRocks]

Just curious as to why inverts need a separate QT system? Is it because they are intolerant of meds?

Correct.

 

[fishnchip]

Correct.

thank you!

 

[YumaMan]

What QT protocol would you recommend for peppermint shrimp? I have aiptasia to eliminate and am skittish about adding shrimp w/o QT.

 

[Big G]

What QT protocol would you recommend for peppermint shrimp? I have aiptasia to eliminate and am skittish about adding shrimp w/o QT.

QT in a fishless tank for your shrimp for 76 days. Ich can encyst on the shrimps hard surface shell. Watch the shrimp to molt at least a couple of times in the QT. So the 76 days allows for any Ich that do hatch and become swimmers to die off without a fish host to start the cycle again.

 

[YumaMan]

I am very glad that I asked! Thank you very much for your good counsel!
I have another reef tank that has corals but has never had fish in it. Would that work as a QT for 76 days? If I elevate the temp slightly, would that reduce the 76 day count any? Is there anything I can do to reduce the QT time?

 

[Burrito]

do you all keep your ato water set to the same level as the QT when copper is being used?

IE, if tank is at 1ppm copper then ato RODI is at 1ppm copper too?

 

[HotRocks]

I am very glad that I asked! Thank you very much for your good counsel!
I have another reef tank that has corals but has never had fish in it. Would that work as a QT for 76 days? If I elevate the temp slightly, would that reduce the 76 day count any? Is there anything I can do to reduce the QT time?

Any fishless tank is fine.

Temp doesn't play much of a factor in the cycle of Marine ich. 76 days is 76 days. Majority of ich is gone in the 45 day range along with other Marine parasites. So depending on your tolerance for risk you can QT them for 45 days. I personally wouldn't take a chance... This article may be helpful.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/coral-invert-quarantine-time-frames.334584/

 

[HotRocks]

do you all keep your ato water set to the same level as the QT when copper is being used?

IE, if tank is at 1ppm copper then ato RODI is at 1ppm copper too?

No, this would increase copper level as the ato transfers fresh water over to the tank.

Copper is very stable in water. So unless you are doing a WC and removing water from the tank there is no need for copper added to top off water. Copper doesn't evaporate much if any at all.

 

[don_chuwish]

I match salinity in QT to arriving fish or make sure it's a touch lower (Usually 1.018).

Acclimate (float for 30-45min in bag and release) fish directly into 1.0ppm copper (copper power) upon arrival. This is much safer than drip acclimation and removes the possibility of ammonia exposure during acclimation.

These two steps, done. Didn't have Copper Power though, or the Hanna Checker. CopperSafe and the API test kit. So I tested twice and shot low to be safe. LiveAquaria fish (not DD) arrived in 1.017sg water, so I had to scramble to lower the QT from 1.020. Easier than trying to raise it though! So far so good.
Amazing how it's always useful to read another new thread on QT procedures.

 

[Big G]

Is there anything I can do to reduce the QT time?

Nothing good happens fast in this hobby.