TO QUARANTINE OR NOT....THAT IS THE QUESTION

[Flame2hawk]

Its an ongoing debate with the edge going to those who believe the good( detect any disease and treat if needed, get them eating well, etc) outweighs the bad( a bit of extra stress with an additional acclimation, not pristine water conditions if you slack off the water changes, not enough room or money to set one up, etc). I’m an in-betweener and also fall on the side of not medicating unless something manifest itself. I’ve had terrific success with quarantining and observing behavior closely as I find doing the same thing for every fish may lead to unintended consequences and over medicating. Usually this means a acclimation to Q tank, fresh water dip mixed with hydroplex for 5-10m, releasing into tank, observing closely, Walt 24-36 hours before feeding, start feeding with frozen mysis/brime soaked in selcon and garlic, with light dosing of metroplex and nano plex (oops I do add a bit of meds in food). I do this usually for 7 days. Then i do another fresh water dip with hydroplex and add to display at night when everyone is sleeping. Usually the next morning things are fine and the fish does well. The observation period is important because sometimes of course you have to deviate which requires a longer stay. However that has happened perhaps 15% of the time. I know that some dont Q at all and I must admit I have been guilty of that also usually again with good results after dip always. I’m big fan of dipping especially with all the flukes that fall off after the first dip. Anyway just wanted to share what has worked for me. To each his/her own of course. Good day!

 

[Qasimja]

in my QT i treat them with metroplex for 10 days and 2 rounds of prazi i dont treat with copper unless ich or marine velvet presents itself it works for me

 

[LAReefer4Life]

I QT all fish for 35 days minimum regardless of signs of disease. I start with slowly ramping up copper to therapeutic levels, then 2 rounds of GC followed by observation for 2 weeks.

 

[Dbichler]

No qt for me. Feel as long as you keep your tank low stress and feed extremely well you wont get any illnesses. Also believe I would be more upset if I did qt and still ended up with ich. 15 years experience 1 ich outbreak in first year and went with managing it. 2 tanks later no deaths since besides old age. I also understock my tank to avoid stress.

 

[theMeat]

Used to qt. Now I do not. Sometimes will if I get a fish that looks like a few days of quiet alone time will help.Sometimes a few days of quiet is more stressful

 

[Cell]

I think at a minimum, an observational QT for 3-4 weeks is highly recommended if you value your current livestock. Considering $50 can get you a sufficient QT setup it seems worth the cost if your current livestock is worth more than that.

 

[theMeat]

I think at a minimum, an observational QT for 3-4 weeks is highly recommended if you value your current livestock. Considering $50 can get you a sufficient QT setup it seems worth the cost if your current livestock is worth more than that.

Can see your point and for me it’s not the money or effort it costs. Ime if you feed well and have a healthy tank without too much stress, without qt my success rate went way up

 

[AZMSGT]

Hmm, risk $1000 in live stock or buy cheap gear and spend a little time QT.. I QT.

 

[Cell]

I think too you have to consider the source of the livestock. Many reefers have trusted LFS or vendor that they purchase exclusively from with confidence that the fish are healthy and free of disease or pests.

I think any to QT or not question should be based on that fish coming from an unknown vendor. I wonder if this would alter anyone's opinion.

 

[Dbichler]

Yes it does I have 2 lfs that I use exclusively. Also very selective on fish I purchase.

 

[RedSea500MaxS]

Buy from reputable source that has quarantine procedures. Then dump them in. Why re-stress them in some naked tiny tank? Then again into main tank? opinion...only.