★Need Help★ Prized Fish Ordered (Want to setup Proper 2nd Quarentine Tank)
- Thread starter Wally.B
- Start date
bhbell
New member
While not of current use to you, I keep a number of the open cell foam sponge blocks in my sump as available bio bed for QT tank use. Then throw them in the wash with filter socks and air drying them before returning them to the sump for reseeding.Quarantine #2 Ready (Basslet Pickup Tomorrow)
- I decided that the Skimmer won't be needed with a small improvise.
- Since I do weekly Water changes, I can keep both QT areas clean and stable without skimming.
The Black Caps are cool fish.
Hello,
I've been waiting for over a year for a Black Cap Basslet.
No luck at all, as I looked everywhere in the local fish stores. One arrived few months ago, but was DOA.
Just a few days ago I gave up, so bought two other fish, which I placed in a sump I'm building that has a small quarantine Tank section.
I have my hands full hoping I can get the Leopard Wrase to eat (but I have a live food farm for my Madarin, so hopes are high).
Then just tonight I was surfing, and I found the Basslet that I've really wanted (Near by store).
So I Just placed the order for a pickup After weekend at a LFS a reasonable drive away. (So I have the weekend to set things up).
The Sump I am building is as below.
The detailed thread (FOR THIS SUMP) with test run on YouTube is here http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2570553
The current Quarantine area is the far right section , so I can make the rest of the sump a 2nd quarantine area for the Basslet.
I don't want to place it in the same quarantine tank since (since those two new wrasses could have diseases), so my option is to use the remaining area of the sump. However I really want to make sure this fish survives (so need help to setup a perfect Quarantine)
So I could just fill sump with Fresh Made Saltwater? I worry that it will cycle, and possibly kill the fish.
I could do water changes from my tank, and mix in some fresh salt water to top it up.
I could run the DB8i skimmer (new, never used), but that takes care of nutrients and but not a cycle. (Perhaps a cycle won't happen, if I change water weekly from my other tank and change the Quarentine tank, or possibly no cycle will happen due to such a small fish). I have no idea.
ABVIOUSLY I'll place a heater in the separate section, the fish could either go into the Return Area (pretty small), or I place the skimmer into the Return area, and fish goes into the main area. THE SKIMMER WILL PROVIDE AREATION,and I'll be running a small pump between the two sections for circulation.
Please provide any advice on how to setup a fresh quarantine and keep it stable for a fish that I really want to survive. (I figure 6-8 weeks is good enough for a quarantine).
Many thanks for any advice.
Sent from my VK815 using Tapatalk
Wally.B
Active member
Dosing Pump Project (Converted to a Temp Top Up for QT's)
- I had the parts for a Future Dosing Pump Project, so put them to good use for a temporary Double Top Up Controller.
- This will keep Salinity Stable, and I can go away for a week without any top of worries.
- It's just a hack, but does the job.
- Programming has some smarts to not over-top up (time limits)
-----> Plus the top up bucket will have limited water supply anyway.
- There is a bypass switch to turn of top ups, when lowering water during water changes
- I had the parts for a Future Dosing Pump Project, so put them to good use for a temporary Double Top Up Controller.
- This will keep Salinity Stable, and I can go away for a week without any top of worries.
- It's just a hack, but does the job.
- Programming has some smarts to not over-top up (time limits)
-----> Plus the top up bucket will have limited water supply anyway.
- There is a bypass switch to turn of top ups, when lowering water during water changes
Wally.B
Active member
The Leopard Wrase!! (Sleeping a lot), but eating.
So I returned the 6 Line Wrase, and only have the Leopard Wrase.
He sleeps a lot under the sand. Dug a hole under the rock I have.
Comes out same time every day.
I've been feeding him Live Brine Shrimp, and Frozen Gut Loaded Shrimp.
He does appear healthy and eating. Very relaxed.
Leaving him alone. If he want to sleep a lot, that isn't as bad as running up and down the tank glass
So I returned the 6 Line Wrase, and only have the Leopard Wrase.
He sleeps a lot under the sand. Dug a hole under the rock I have.
Comes out same time every day.
I've been feeding him Live Brine Shrimp, and Frozen Gut Loaded Shrimp.
He does appear healthy and eating. Very relaxed.
Leaving him alone. If he want to sleep a lot, that isn't as bad as running up and down the tank glass
Wally.B
Active member
Leopard Wrasse (Boring All day Sand Sleeper? Or Juvenile Behavior?)
Man, I was pretty happy with the Leopard Wrasse since he is beautiful and unique. But I hope things change.....
So far Very Boring. He sleeps in the Sand like 22 hours a day.
At first I thought he was dead, but I setup the Motion Detect Web Cam, and he does come out for a few minutes daily.
Video's show him pecking around since I do feed him Live foods (Brine Shrimps, Tiger Copepods, and even got dome Reef Nutritition Artic Pods).
Even Got a really cool video showing him going under/into the sand.
I hope this is a Juvenile behavior thing since having a beautiful fish that never come out is kind of boring. I did find a good article, but need to find out more about this unique fish.
Man, I was pretty happy with the Leopard Wrasse since he is beautiful and unique. But I hope things change.....
So far Very Boring. He sleeps in the Sand like 22 hours a day.
At first I thought he was dead, but I setup the Motion Detect Web Cam, and he does come out for a few minutes daily.
Video's show him pecking around since I do feed him Live foods (Brine Shrimps, Tiger Copepods, and even got dome Reef Nutritition Artic Pods).
Even Got a really cool video showing him going under/into the sand.
I hope this is a Juvenile behavior thing since having a beautiful fish that never come out is kind of boring. I did find a good article, but need to find out more about this unique fish.
m0nkie
Well-known member
This should keep you reading for awhile. Leopard primer
http://web1.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2369454
http://web1.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2369454
Wally.B
Active member
Thanks!!! Excellent resource. I'm doing everything possibly Right! So it's up to the fish to get interest in eating. Just preparing a Garlic Guard soaked, PE Mysis feeding for next time he comes out (which is "exactly", same time every day). Like clockwork!
Wally.B
Active member
Leopard Wrasse coming around. (Out and about daily for hours)
Put in a better LED DIY light, and that has helped.
Here is YOUTUBE Video of what Leopard is like now. Might be eating a bit.
https://youtu.be/guDPoks-XuA
Put in a better LED DIY light, and that has helped.
Here is YOUTUBE Video of what Leopard is like now. Might be eating a bit.
https://youtu.be/guDPoks-XuA
Wally.B
Active member
Thanks for all your advice. You really motivated me to keep trying, and my efforts are paying of for this Beautiful fish.
THINGS HAVE CHANGED FOR THE BETTER!!
- Lighting has helped. Leopard out for hours and swimming around.
- Picky on food. Appears to like to pick food off glass. He is slowly learning to catch food floating around (A bit a time, but I think he may learn that it does taste good0.
- Trying Live Brine Shrimp, Reef Nutrition ArtiPods, PE Mysis soaked in Garlic.
HERE IS THE LEOPARD today (During feeding time)
https://www.youtube.com/upload[/QUOTE]
Wally.B
Active member
Today's Photo of Leopard Wrasse (Doing Very Well). Must be patient in Quarentine
I must stay put, even though I feel like he might be good to go into Display Tank.
Will give him at least 4 more weeks in Quarantine, to learn to eat normal foods. At this point he does eat (not sure what), pecking at glass all the time. (Could be the live Brine Shrimp I keep hatching for him).
I must stay put, even though I feel like he might be good to go into Display Tank.
Will give him at least 4 more weeks in Quarantine, to learn to eat normal foods. At this point he does eat (not sure what), pecking at glass all the time. (Could be the live Brine Shrimp I keep hatching for him).
Wally.B
Active member
Still waiting for the Pickup on the Black Cap.
Supplier can't catch the guy, but promised he will keep trying. He is sold to me and paid for.
They did say they will be getting a shipment of a few more this week.
Can't wait!!!
However the bit of delay was welcome since I had to deal with this Wrasse, and he has been keeping me busy.
Wally.B
Active member
For brine shrimp, it's simple. I throw a bunch of Brine Shrimp eggs in a 5 Gallon Cube. Heater and airstone. I harvest 24 hours later, when they are most nutritious. However I extend their nutrition value by feeding the Reef Nutrition PhytoFeast.
For my Copepod Farm (Tiggers), it a bit more of a job.
Here is the thread on the Farm http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2463026
Wally.B
Active member
LEOPARD Wrasse (BIG!! Improvement in QT). Video of him Eating and active
Here is Day 4 (YOUTUBE VIDEO) of Leopard Wrasse in QT (after coming out). Slept in Sandbed for a week.
https://youtu.be/f_BzQgAFsHg
Things look really promising after a bleak week week of patience and worry.
Here is Day 4 (YOUTUBE VIDEO) of Leopard Wrasse in QT (after coming out). Slept in Sandbed for a week.
https://youtu.be/f_BzQgAFsHg
Things look really promising after a bleak week week of patience and worry.
Wally.B
Active member
Leopard Wrasse (Alive for 1 Month in QT) Time to move to DT????
- So the Leopard Wrasse has survived a month in QT.
- NOT Sure what he eats, but he is pecking all the time. And swims around for hours. (Sleeps in Sandbed a lot too).
- I feed him everything I have (live and other) to acclimatize him to choices.
- QT is obviously getting filthy since no Skimmer (but I do 50% water changes from my DT Tank to keep QT Fresh). This water is from his future home, so will be less shock in transfer.
Should I continue training him of foods till he eats aggressively (chasing during feeding time)?
Or is he safe going into DT at this point? (I see no risk leaving him in QT for a few more weeks)
BTW. Supplier still can't deliver me the Black Cap Basslet. Waiting patiently.
- So the Leopard Wrasse has survived a month in QT.
- NOT Sure what he eats, but he is pecking all the time. And swims around for hours. (Sleeps in Sandbed a lot too).
- I feed him everything I have (live and other) to acclimatize him to choices.
- QT is obviously getting filthy since no Skimmer (but I do 50% water changes from my DT Tank to keep QT Fresh). This water is from his future home, so will be less shock in transfer.
Should I continue training him of foods till he eats aggressively (chasing during feeding time)?
Or is he safe going into DT at this point? (I see no risk leaving him in QT for a few more weeks)
BTW. Supplier still can't deliver me the Black Cap Basslet. Waiting patiently.
Wally.B
Active member
Here is a YouTube Video of my Juvenile Leopard Wrasse, in QT week 4. (he is being feed both Tiger Copepods and Live Brine Shrimp (Feed Reef Nutrition Phytofeast). Plus being trained on Flake, Pellets, Frozen Foods).
https://youtu.be/cszovHKV8yA
https://youtu.be/cszovHKV8yA
Wally.B
Active member
Leopard Wrasse (Ain't going to Make it) Brief Visit into Display Tank (back into Quarantine)
So I tried everything I could to raise that Juvenile Leopard Wrasse.
I managed to keep him alive in QT for about 5 weeks (which is higher than expected for a non-eater).
I tried all live foods (copepods, Live BrineShrimps), and every food on my Shelf.
All he would eat is Live Foods and couldn't get trained on Regular food.
Today I noticed him very thin, and as last attempt tried him in my Display tank. However after an hour or so I could see he wasn't strong enough to handle the SPS tank currents. Was floating around trying to stay upright. SAD to watch.
Luckily enough I managed to scoop him up and he is back in Quarantine for his last bit of life. He's resting on the sand bed, since he can't even bury himself anymore.
(I do get attached to fish, especially when trying so hard/long to keep them alive. I gave this attempt all my might [Custom QT, All foods possible]).
(On the bright side) I did manage to get one nice Photo during his brief Display Tank Visit.
At least I have this memory of him in DT, and he won't be polluting it (since pulled out still alive).
MEMORY PHOTO of Leopard in SPS Display Tank
Too bad he would have been a nice addition. I would have enjoyed seeing him transition form Juvenile to adult.
ONWARD....(Time to clean up QT)...I'm still waiting for the Black Cap Basslet. Being told the shipment of many will arrive in next few weeks.
So I tried everything I could to raise that Juvenile Leopard Wrasse.
I managed to keep him alive in QT for about 5 weeks (which is higher than expected for a non-eater).
I tried all live foods (copepods, Live BrineShrimps), and every food on my Shelf.
All he would eat is Live Foods and couldn't get trained on Regular food.
Today I noticed him very thin, and as last attempt tried him in my Display tank. However after an hour or so I could see he wasn't strong enough to handle the SPS tank currents. Was floating around trying to stay upright. SAD to watch.
Luckily enough I managed to scoop him up and he is back in Quarantine for his last bit of life. He's resting on the sand bed, since he can't even bury himself anymore.
(I do get attached to fish, especially when trying so hard/long to keep them alive. I gave this attempt all my might [Custom QT, All foods possible]). (On the bright side) I did manage to get one nice Photo during his brief Display Tank Visit. At least I have this memory of him in DT, and he won't be polluting it (since pulled out still alive).
MEMORY PHOTO of Leopard in SPS Display Tank
Too bad he would have been a nice addition. I would have enjoyed seeing him transition form Juvenile to adult.
ONWARD....(Time to clean up QT)...I'm still waiting for the Black Cap Basslet. Being told the shipment of many will arrive in next few weeks.
