Tank cross contamination

[Thunder_reef]

Just curious about those with multiple tanks. Do you worry about cross contamination and if so, what steps do you take to prevent the spread of nuisance algae, parasites etc. ?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Just curious about those with multiple tanks. Do you worry about cross contamination and if so, what steps do you take to prevent the spread of nuisance algae, parasites etc. ?

Yes, that can be an issue. I worry most about spreading fish diseases, but some coral pests can be spread around from tank to tank.
I wrote an article that explores the topic here:

Biosecurity

A short introduction to aquarium biosecurity

www.reef2reef.com

Jay

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

one of my systems is a 300 predator reef and i feed saltwater mollys that i breed.. . Thats my biggest concern is to transfer something in with the food. I qt all new fish/ corals etc. everything but cant really qt the live feeders.. i do pull them from the 150 gallon breeding tub to a 20 breeder thats kinda like death row for them lol and easier to inspect them. I aslo dont worry as much as its triggers, eels , and mini lions in there and all are well fed and healthy.

 

[BILLBNY]

Yes, that can be an issue. I worry most about spreading fish diseases, but some coral pests can be spread around from tank to tank.
I wrote an article that explores the topic here:

Biosecurity

A short introduction to aquarium biosecurity

www.reef2reef.com

Jay

Hi my name is Bill. I just joined the forum.
I have a quick question on cross contamination. We have a 220 gallon reef tank and a 75 gallon FO tank. TONIGHT I MISTAKENLY USED THE MAGNET ALGAE CLEANER FOR THE 220 TANK ON THE 75 GALLON TANK.. we do have a huge Lifeguard aquatics UV System on the 220 and a much smaller uv on the 75. by mistake I used the magnet algae cleaner meant for the 220 gallon on the 75 gallon tonight.. it’s been sitting dry in closet for at least a week or two. My son who does most of the fish work is afraid I could’ve cross contaminated do you think there’s much of a chance? I don’t know of any known problems in the 220 that we would be introducing to the 75 but even with the UV system he says there’s gonna be stuff in there.. Would you have any thoughts on this? I would think if the magnets been sitting in a closet for a wicked two anything on it would be dead, but I am no expert on this lol.
Thanks for any advice you can add
ps I enjoyed your article, and you have a very very impressive résumé

 

[BILLBNY]

Hi my name is Bill. I just joined the forum.
I have a quick question on cross contamination. We have a 220 gallon reef tank and a 75 gallon FO tank. TONIGHT I MISTAKENLY USED THE MAGNET ALGAE CLEANER FOR THE 220 TANK ON THE 75 GALLON TANK.. we do have a huge Lifeguard aquatics UV System on the 220 and a much smaller uv on the 75. by mistake I used the magnet algae cleaner meant for the 220 gallon on the 75 gallon tonight.. it’s been sitting dry in closet for at least a week or two. My son who does most of the fish work is afraid I could’ve cross contaminated do you think there’s much of a chance? I don’t know of any known problems in the 220 that we would be introducing to the 75 but even with the UV system he says there’s gonna be stuff in there.. Would you have any thoughts on this? I would think if the magnets been sitting in a closet for a wicked two anything on it would be dead, but I am no expert on this lol.
Thanks for any advice you can add
ps I enjoyed your article, and you have a very very impressive résumé

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hi my name is Bill. I just joined the forum.
I have a quick question on cross contamination. We have a 220 gallon reef tank and a 75 gallon FO tank. TONIGHT I MISTAKENLY USED THE MAGNET ALGAE CLEANER FOR THE 220 TANK ON THE 75 GALLON TANK.. we do have a huge Lifeguard aquatics UV System on the 220 and a much smaller uv on the 75. by mistake I used the magnet algae cleaner meant for the 220 gallon on the 75 gallon tonight.. it’s been sitting dry in closet for at least a week or two. My son who does most of the fish work is afraid I could’ve cross contaminated do you think there’s much of a chance? I don’t know of any known problems in the 220 that we would be introducing to the 75 but even with the UV system he says there’s gonna be stuff in there.. Would you have any thoughts on this? I would think if the magnets been sitting in a closet for a wicked two anything on it would be dead, but I am no expert on this lol.
Thanks for any advice you can add
ps I enjoyed your article, and you have a very very impressive résumé

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Drying in the air for that length of time would kill all parasites. Going forward, it is a good idea to rinse tank tools off in freshwater and then letting them dry. Some people just buy dedicated tank tools for each tank.
Unless a tank has an active disease in it, cross contamination isn’t a big issue.
Jay

 

[BILLBNY]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Drying in the air for that length of time would kill all parasites. Going forward, it is a good idea to rinse tank tools off in freshwater and then letting them dry. Some people just buy dedicated tank tools for each tank.
Unless a tank has an active disease in it, cross contamination isn’t a big issue.
Jay

ok Great Thanks I will do that with the oral water and rinse all the tools for each separate tank and separate buckets. We also have two quarantine tanks going well one QT and one observation so starting to get a little crazy lol thank you very much for your quick and informative reply much appreciated.

 

[BILLBNY]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Drying in the air for that length of time would kill all parasites. Going forward, it is a good idea to rinse tank tools off in freshwater and then letting them dry. Some people just buy dedicated tank tools for each tank.
Unless a tank has an active disease in it, cross contamination isn’t a big issue.
Jay

Typo that should have said, RO WATER