I really want to make it clear to anyone reading my build thread, the reasons for my tank additions, especially without QT.
I understand the reasoning behind QT. I even have a QT, but haven't used it yet.
I work at Ace Hardware, but are a very large Ace with many departments. We have one of the largest Fresh and Saltwater sections of any pet store in the state and its growing all the time. After running two pet stores for years, I first got hired here part time to work in the pet department. I have since taken over the custom picture framing department as I am a full time professional artist.
There are tanks here that are my observation tanks. I do not feel the need to QT the selected fish I get because I've had them under observation for more than a month here at work. These fish (and the tanks they are in) are not under constant turnover (like many other tanks here are).
They are stable, well cared for and for the most part no different than if the fish I get from them were sitting in a QT in my home instead. I've watched them feed (even feed them myself), observed their health and behavior for at least four weeks here. These tanks are run with the same parameters as my home tank (temp, salinity, RODI topoff, etc.). When I get them, the trip home is a 5 minute drive. There is very little acclimation even required.
What is the purpose of a QT anyway? Aside from any treatment, if the QT is just for observation, then I've already QT'd them. This isn't as if I'm just trusting some LFS...this is my personal LFS.
I've studied zoology, biology and have a very close friend who is a marine biologist who I ask for advice regularly. We both believe that while QT is important in most cases, everything that can get any fish sick is already present and it is their immune system that prevents them from getting sick. Stress is the number one issue with any organisms health, not just humans.
So, after a month of close observation every day, personally by me, the fish I've wanted come home with me. There is a cost involved should I lose one or all of them, but I get them at cost. But that is not all that important to me as I'm more concerned with their health and well being.
So I'm not QTing them at home, but they have been under QT in a manner of speaking.
I've been adding Seachem Prime with every tank addition and monitoring my parameters. All are doing well. No spikes in nitrates and the fish are actually doing better in my tank than they were at my LFS, exhibiting all of their natural habits because they have their proper aquascaped space and places to do so. Both my Firefish and Twin Spot hang out by their caves they created and are far more active in their new home.
