Why I hate quarantine...

Mgoc · Apr 27, 2014

ryecoon said:
Would it be possible for everyone to share photos of their QT tanks? (Both Fish or Reef QTs) Ive seen some nice clean set ups using fluval Edge tanks decked with Egg crates. Very clean looking.

This is my QT. And I dont mean to hijack this thread but I must ask, Is having sand and Live rock in QT a good or a bad thing. It helps keeping water parameters in check during quarantine which reduces the amount of WC and thus stress on the fish but I know some parasites can attach to rocks and sand. What do you guys think?

ritter6788 · Apr 27, 2014

Both of mine are very basic setups. The coral QT has a skimmer and the fish QT doesn't. Just a HOB filter for water movement and a seeded sponge to help with ammonia. I use a lot of live rock in my coral tanks to keep parameters stable. The fish QT I rely on the sponge and water changes.

ryecoon · Apr 27, 2014

Ok im definitely going to grab a couple 10 gallon tanks for QT.

Daniel@R2R · Apr 27, 2014

Mgoc said:
This is my QT. And I dont mean to hijack this thread but I must ask, Is having sand and Live rock in QT a good or a bad thing. It helps keeping water parameters in check during quarantine which reduces the amount of WC and thus stress on the fish but I know some parasites can attach to rocks and sand. What do you guys think?

I actually have one qt tank I use for observation and another that I use as a qt treatment tank if infection of some type is discovered (most of the time I don't have to use that one). As long as it's just observation, I do use some live rock (which helps with keeping ammonia in check), but I don't use any in the treatment tank since most meds would contaminate the rock and would also kill the beneficial bacteria anyway.

I only use sand in small tupperware containers and only when quarantining fish that need it (like certain types of gobies or wrasses).

Daniel@R2R · Apr 27, 2014

ryecoon said:
Ok im definitely going to grab a couple 10 gallon tanks for QT.

I'd recommend you go with 20g if you can swing it bc some fish will definitely be too large for the 10g. My qt tanks are actually both 30g (well...technically one's 28g).

ryecoon · Apr 27, 2014

Ok 20 Gal for fish. Would 10 gal for Coral QT be ok? or would that mean more work to micro manage parameters?

Squishie89 · Apr 27, 2014

Here is my QT for fish. Just set it up again today! I have a link to a guide to setting up a quarantine tank.

Bry · Apr 27, 2014

mdbannister said:
. A proper qt requires weeks of observation for disease or parasites, but it also involves the task of getting the new guys eating whatever you serve your display so that when they go in there, they're already used to your husbandry.

I actually like QT for this reason and the fact that it gives me an excuse to have another tank or 2 setup. I actually get to spend that "one on one" time with a new fish.

mfief · Apr 27, 2014

I just got crushed by velvet. The worst part was my son asking where his favorite fish went. QT from here on out.

TJ's Reef · Apr 27, 2014

Fantastic Thread and commentary Daniel, could not agree more................ and yes I HATE it also for 25+ years.

Cheers, Todd

Mjpisanti · Apr 28, 2014

Squishie89 said:
I really hope at some point your reconsider. I would look over your quarantine system with the utmost scrutiny. And also where you are getting fish from. I would much rather lose fish after fish after fish in QT than in my display.

I have looked over my DT and where my fish came from already due to problems with the main tank. I switched to a better RO/DI and believe the problem in the main is solved and since the same water is now going into the QT i hope that may solve the QT problem. I have been looking to the users on this site for guidance on my aquarium issues and everything has been greatly paying off recently. I appreciate everyone's advice on the QT and it seems that the consensus is that the QT is very important, so i will look over my QT system and try to clean it up to support new fish again, I hope i can get it running like when i first started it again.

mfinn · Apr 28, 2014

Mjpisanti said:
I have looked over my DT and where my fish came from already due to problems with the main tank. I switched to a better RO/DI and believe the problem in the main is solved and since the same water is now going into the QT i hope that may solve the QT problem. I have been looking to the users on this site for guidance on my aquarium issues and everything has been greatly paying off recently. I appreciate everyone's advice on the QT and it seems that the consensus is that the QT is very important, so i will look over my QT system and try to clean it up to support new fish again, I hope i can get it running like when i first started it again.

As some of the pictures show, the qt tank can be very simple.
I don't even leave my qt tank set up all the time.
What I do is keep a air driven sponge filter going all the time in my display tank sump.
When I need to use a qt tank I step up the tank with new water and put the seeded sponge filter in with a powerhead and heater.
I happen to have a bunch of fake plants and caves that I put in for hiding places.

reeffirstaid · Apr 28, 2014

QT is essential, every time. It is irresponsible not too, and even if you can afford to replace fish like they are candy, these animals come from reef systems with undue pressure already. The aquarium trade is getting a bad name, since it takes so many fish from live reefs. Being responsible, and ensuring your fishes' health and long term survival, is paramount in making a light footprint on mother nature.

vlangel · Apr 28, 2014

My tank is only a 36g so my fish are little. QT can be as simple as syphoning WC into a 5g empty salt bucket, (and who of us doesn't have lots of those) plugging in an eclipse pump and filling the chamber with rubble LR and filter pad that was in the sump and a spare heater. Add some hiding places and you have a QT for small fish.

tcp316 · Apr 28, 2014

For coral quarantine with no fish in it how often do you need wc. Still the same? Is a skimmer more effective on the coral our fish quarantine? I have a cheap skimmer from when i started and didn't know better