Treatment in qt tank

[Cthulukelele]

Hi all,

I was wondering about the different qt procedures of different reefers out there. I am setting up a qt tank and was curious about time periods, prophylactic treatments, sterilization techniques between fish, etc.

Thanks!

 

[ScooterV]

Head over to the fish disease forum. Lots of stickies there with tons of info along with different QT methods and comments from many how they do things a little different to fit their schedules, space, etc.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Greatest thing since sliced bread.

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/fish-disease-treatment-and-diagnosis.771/

I will not list out all the stickies, but all the info you need can be had there.

 

[Cthulukelele]

Wow that is perfect thanks! I'd also be curious in your personal preferences if you care to share!

 

[Eagle_Steve]

I am actually going thru a QT and fathom now on my 110 (wife rescued a chromis with ich and dropped it in the tank). For all fish that tolerate copper well, I do 30 days of copper. (I would prefer to use CP, but not easily available to me) Any fish that don't, I use TTM (tank transfer method). For example, I have a small clown tang, 2 small photon clowns, 3 small firefish, and 1 starry blenny in a 40 breeder with copper on day 3 of being at therapeutic levels. In a 20 long tank I have my mandarin breeding pair and a scooter blenny doing TTM. (I have another 20 long for them when they get transferred and a just hatched a ton of baby brine shrimp for feeding). And finally my flasher wrasse and 6 line are in a 10 gallon for TTM.

On a side note. I do actually prefer TTM for all fish, but velvet has been so rampant lately, I just do not want to take a chance. Especially as when it was noticed, I didn't have my scope to look and see if it was ich or velvet.

It would be nice to do all fish in the same tank, but bio-load and tolerance do not allow it. After the 30 days of copper and a completed TTM for the non copper fish all fish they will get 2 rounds of prazi just cause, and then will move into 55 that is currently cycling with all dry rock. That will be there home for the remaining 46 days my DT needs to be fathom. When remaining 46 days is done, they will slowly be added back to display and the 55 will be either sold or put up for the next opps lol.

So take the above as a good reason for QT. A fully established tank, and getting fish out is fun. Luckily it didn't take to long as I didn't feed the fish for a few days, inserted plastic bottles with food in there and in they went lol. Except for the mandarins. Those took a bright flashlight in the eyes and a net behind them when they were hunting.

I do have to say all methods work if done correctly, and with new fish you may experience some losses. Just be sure to try and plan ahead, make a fish list, compare it to the list of fish and recommended QT in the disease forum sticky, buy according to how each fish needs to be introduced, and stay diligent in making sure you follow the QT processes for whatever method you choose.

 

[Cthulukelele]

Good to hear horror stories to keep me honest lol

I appreciate the shared knowledge! I have thoroughly enjoyed every part of this whole reefkeeping process, and the constant problem solving I love is probably what I will end up hating

 

[ScooterV]

I've gone through many changes. Since starting in the late 70's I never bothered with QT, only a "hospital" tank when needed. On my last build though, with so many issues for many lately, I planned a strict QT. I did TTM with two rounds of Prazi, then observation. Then along came a regal angel. "Looked" ok, but wouldn't eat even once in observation. Hard to see velvet, if not bad, on a fish of that color. My wife convinced me maybe it would eat if in the DT, more spots to hide, more comfortable, etc. BANG, hello velvet and a fallow period after losing 3/4 of my fish

@Humblefish calmed me down and helped me through emergency options, and I was also lucky in obtaining a prescription for CP, and it's my new best friend. However, my current QT is pretty crazy for most people. I had already had issues with many fish arriving and if I treated for bacterial issues they died of velvet, if I treated for velvet they grew fuzzy patches and dead quick too. Drove me nuts. I have the space throughout the house though, plenty of tanks, and a mixing station, so I got creative. Very aggressive, likely stressful, but has worked.

New fish go into a QT for 24 hours with methelyn blue and room lights out to help them settle and relieve any ammonia burn issues. This is followed by a modified TTM with tank transfers every 48 hours. NOT actually treating them for ich, but 48 hours lines up with antibiotics so I transfer instead of water changes and start off with Metroplex and Kanaplex for all for 10 days. Two of those tank with General Cure (contains metro as well anyway) instead of just metro. It hasn't seemed to stress the fish any more than sticking a siphon in and messing with a water change. My "thinking", and has appeared to be working, is the TTM part of it is at least clearing up any ich, but also holding velvet at bay with the frequent tank transfers while I worry about infections. Then, into a 29g they go for 14 days in CP, then to another 29g to finally just observe.

Actually, the final 29g is near my parrot, who now says "Good morning fishy", lol

Just an example of finding what works for you! I have plenty of water, space, and tanks so this works. Others do better with longer in copper and observe.

 

[Cthulukelele]

Glad you seem to have made it through those hard times!

So play around with it, keep ammonia low, change water regularly, pre-treat with SOMETHING, and figure out what I will ACTUALLY do consistently, and do it

Sounds perfect!

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Glad you seem to have made it through those hard times!

So play around with it, keep ammonia low, change water regularly, pre-treat with SOMETHING, and figure out what I will ACTUALLY do consistently, and do it

Sounds perfect!

Exactly. And if in doubt, ask.