Bought my first QT tank!

[Bobborocco]

Well i figured after reading and reading on here about qt's i finally pulled the trigger! Never wanted to but since i plan on staying in this hobby for years to come i need something to treat and take care of the fish in! Bought a 40b for a great price! Still no medications yet but got the tank, filter, and heater. So i will be qt my first fish in the next week or so. One question i do have is with having the fish in qt for the next 8 or 9 weeks, does anyone treat for parasites and anything else before it goes into the dt?

 

[HumbleFish]

I prophylactically treat for worms (Prazipro) and then parasites (Cupramine or Chloroquine Phosphate). I'll sometimes reverse it if I think the fish has Ich or something. If you choose not to prophylactically treat (nothing wrong with that); just be very observant and watch the QT closely for symptoms.

 

[RarefiedAir24]

I also take a proactive approach when QTing. I'll treat with PraziPro for worms for 2 weeks performing water changes every couple of days. After the Prazi treatment I'll then run clean for a week. After the week of running clean I'll do Quick Cure treatment for 3 days, do a water change on day 4, let tank run clean for 1 day then start and do another 3 days of Quick Cure performing a water change on day 4. After 2nd Quick Cure treatment I'll QT tank run clean for last week and observe fish for any symptoms.. My QT process runs right around 6 weeks give a day or tow. I know some say it should be closer to 8? but I feel with being proactive in the QT process I'm comfortable doing the 6.

Frank

 

[jjk_reef00]

I also prophylactically treat 2 weeks with prazipro and then 4 weeks with cupramine but I ramp up to full dose over 4-7 days instead of 3 like the instructions say.

 

[Bobborocco]

i thought about just going no treatment and observing the qt. Never done medication and am kinda nervous to do it lol

 

[HumbleFish]

i thought about just going no treatment and observing the qt. Never done medication and am kinda nervous to do it lol

Honestly, it really comes down to knowing what kind of person you are (and what your schedule is like). If you have the time to sit in front of the QT everyday and are a pretty observant person, you'll notice symptoms or at least that something is not right. But if you have a hectic schedule and/or are not very observant, then you'll want to prophylactically treat.

Prazi is easy; not much can go wrong with that. But Cupramine is more invasive, and you need to be careful when using it. Best thing is buy a test kit, and raise it very, very slowly. That way you'll notice signs of copper intolerance before it becomes a problem.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Preventative treatment is a never ending debate. I always treat all new fish with Prazi-Pro and copper. I'm slowly being convinced that chloroquinine phosphate may be better for those without copper experience.

Just a heads up. Ammonia is often the biggest problem in new QTs. I use an AquaClear HOB filter and keep sponges in the flow of my DTs. Toss in a sponge and the QT is cycled. I'm also convinced that Bio-Spira (bacteria in a bottle) can really help start a cycle too. Be ready for WCs if ammonia is a problem. I'd start another thread if you decide to use copper; there is a lot to know about this stuff. Copper works extremely well; if you know the little nuances.

Admitting to change twice, at age 65, in the same thread. New for me.

 

[HumbleFish]

I'm slowly being convinced that chloroquinine phosphate may be better for those without copper experience.

I couldn't agree more. Copper is a poison; there's no way around it. It only works because (most) fish can survive longer in the poison than parasites can. CP is an actual medication (antimalarial), which coincidentally also treats external parasites in fish. I'm disappointed that makers of aquarium supplies aren't doing more to make CP more widely available. They would rather pray on the uninformed and push their "herbal" remedies. :mad2:

At least CP has studies from the 70s proving it's usefulness, anecdotal evidence from sites like this and some recent articles written about it. I don't know of any reliable source that will even suggest that "Herbtana" (just an example) cures/eradicates anything.

 

[MrTuskfish]

I couldn't agree more. Copper is a poison; there's no way around it. It only works because (most) fish can survive longer in the poison than parasites can. CP is an actual medication (antimalarial), which coincidentally also treats external parasites in fish. I'm disappointed that makers of aquarium supplies aren't doing more to make CP more widely available. They would rather pray on the uninformed and push their "herbal" remedies. :mad2:

At least CP has studies from the 70s proving it's usefulness, anecdotal evidence from sites like this and some recent articles written about it. I don't know of any reliable source that will even suggest that "Herbtana" (just an example) cures/eradicates anything.

I agree. I think there may be some FDA, or other bureaucratic crap, that prevents or limits making and distributing CP. I just got a decent supply today. Very nice folks and excellent service. Thanks, Al P, for sticking to your guns on this one.

 

[Bobborocco]

yeah i have a pretty hectic schedule most of the time. So i guess that i am going to have to treat with meds. Where is the best place to buy the meds that i should be using?

 

[HumbleFish]

yeah i have a pretty hectic schedule most of the time. So i guess that i am going to have to treat with meds. Where is the best place to buy the meds that i should be using?

You can get (most) of everything you need from here.

If you're wanting to try CP, that's a bit more expensive & difficult to obtain. I would start by reading this thread & this thread.

 

[Bobborocco]

cool thanks guys!