Doing it right this time. Weird QT question

[platax88]

Well, i have never qt before and in 17 years i have had lots of good luck and some bad.

My 180 sps reef has been established for quite a while without any new additions and i have many beautiful happy fish living in it.

My wife just ordered me a 3.5" Majestic Angel as a gift, and I decided that this time I am not chancing it and will QT. The only problem is that it was somewhat of a spontaneous buy and I do not have a cycled QT.

My DT is a very sterile tank, bare bottom, no filter media... just lots of flow and huge skimmer. I do however run a carbon reactor that is due for changing.

Do you think I can use the carbon in a filter bag placed in the QT tank to establish some sort of bio-filtration.

Here is my plan:

1. 20 gallon long tank
2. 600gph powerhead
3. New sponge filter and I will place an additional sponge in my DT so I can get it seeded.
4. Place old carbon from DT in QT tank to seed some bio-filtration
5. Use DT water to fill and for water changes
6. Small heater
7. Clip on thermometer
8. Ammonia alarm

I have plenty of mixed saltwater always available in my water change system, so I plan on doing water changes from my DT as needed.

How does this all sound? As of tomorrow morning I will have 24hrs before the arrival of the angel so my main concern is getting filtration established.

Thanks!

 

[nonstopfishies]

Well, i have never qt before and in 17 years i have had lots of good luck and some bad.

My 180 sps reef has been established for quite a while without any new additions and i have many beautiful happy fish living in it.

My wife just ordered me a 3.5" Majestic Angel as a gift, and I decided that this time I am not chancing it and will QT. The only problem is that it was somewhat of a spontaneous buy and I do not have a cycled QT.

My DT is a very sterile tank, bare bottom, no filter media... just lots of flow and huge skimmer. I do however run a carbon reactor that is due for changing.

Do you think I can use the carbon in a filter bag placed in the QT tank to establish some sort of bio-filtration.

Here is my plan:

1. 20 gallon long tank
2. 600gph powerhead
3. New sponge filter and I will place an additional sponge in my DT so I can get it seeded.
4. Place old carbon from DT in QT tank to seed some bio-filtration
5. Use DT water to fill and for water changes
6. Small heater
7. Clip on thermometer
8. Ammonia alarm

I have plenty of mixed saltwater always available in my water change system, so I plan on doing water changes from my DT as needed.

How does this all sound? As of tomorrow morning I will have 24hrs before the arrival of the angel so my main concern is getting filtration established.

Thanks!

Sounds like you have it pretty well covered. Don't think you could do much better than that. Be prepared food wise for this fish, try lots of different foods and do vitamin soaks to get this fish as much nutrition as possible. These fish can be very picky and don't fare that well in QT. I would look to add some pieces of live rock if you can(if you aren't beginning any treatment right away) for the angel to graze upon and hide in. Just remember not to put the rock back into your main tank because it could transport disease.

 

[platax88]

Sounds like you have it pretty well covered. Don't think you could do much better than that. Be prepared food wise for this fish, try lots of different foods and do vitamin soaks to get this fish as much nutrition as possible. These fish can be very picky and don't fare that well in QT. I would look to add some pieces of live rock if you can(if you aren't beginning any treatment right away) for the angel to graze upon and hide in. Just remember not to put the rock back into your main tank because it could transport disease.

Thanks. I already have some cut 4" pvc ready to go and an assortment of food along with selcon and garlic and nori.

Why do u say they dont qt well? Would u recommend straight to DT?

 

[MrTuskfish]

Good carbon is very porous. If it was in your DT for a while, should cycle your QT enough to handle one fish. ; just be sure you have some flow going through it; like a HOB filter or even an airstone. Watch ammonia closely though. there is no real benefit from a skimmer in a QT, other than adding flow. You'll probably notice that the skimmer isn't doing anything, because there's nothing much to skim. BTW; good move with the QT!

 

[platax88]

Good carbon is very porous. If it was in your DT for a while, should cycle your QT enough to handle one fish. ; just be sure you have some flow going through it; like a HOB filter or even an airstone. Watch ammonia closely though. there is no real benefit from a skimmer in a QT, other than adding flow. You'll probably notice that the skimmer isn't doing anything, because there's nothing much to skim. BTW; good move with the QT!

Thanks! Yes, i bought an aquaclear filter that has the sponge and pellets for bacteria. I filled the QT with DT water and put in a few pieces of live rock. I also have the sponge sitting in my filter sock of my DT while the fish comes in, hopefully some bacteria will colonize it. tomorrow I will place the used carbon which is at least two cups. I think this is plenty to colonize the tank with bacteria.

I bought an amonia kit and plan on doing tests daily and replacing water with DT water as needed.

I have a heater two thermometers and a small powerhead for more surface agitation... a few PVC pieces for hiding.

The onlty thing left is an eg-crate cover to keep them in.

Gotta admit I am a bit nervous since this is the first fish I QT... funy thing is that it will be the last I'll be adding in.

Question: would you use prazipro as a precaution from the get-go in this tank?

Thanks!

 

[keving]

I wouldn't treat unless you have to. If the fish eats and doesn't hold weight then Prazi might be in order. There's some food w Prazi in it that would be a great prophylactic and much better than a bath.

 

[MrTuskfish]

I use Prazi-Pro on all new fish in QT, once they start eating. There are so many parasitic worms that a de-wormer can prevented from being transferred to your DT. I think it may be about the safest med available. I prefer to dose the tank, rather than Prazi baths because Prazi will kill so many internal as well as external parasitic worms. Baths are primarily a treatment for external flukes and other external pests. This may be your last new fish. But you may need to replace a fish or use a hospital tank sometime. I love Aqua-Clear filters. Their sponges are huge, not filled with cheap carbon and the filters run for ever. Here's a copy of how I keep a filter ready for QT/HT that I've posted several times.

"In regards to Qt cycling; I've done this for years. Get a HOB filter; I really like Aqua-Clear, they have a big sponge and last forever. Don't use the carbon or ceramic noodles that come with the filter. Also, have some extra sponges on hand, they're cheap. Keep a sponge in the flow somewhere in your DT. When you need a QT or HT, just use the sponge that has been in your main system in your QT filter---the QT will be instantly cycled. When done, toss the sponge and keep a new one ready in your main system.
BTW, Cupramine copper, used in a QT,will not destroy a bio-filter."

 

[platax88]

I use Prazi-Pro on all new fish in QT, once they start eating. There are so many parasitic worms that a de-wormer can prevented from being transferred to your DT. I think it may be about the safest med available. I prefer to dose the tank, rather than Prazi baths because Prazi will kill so many internal as well as external parasitic worms. Baths are primarily a treatment for external flukes and other external pests. This may be your last new fish. But you may need to replace a fish or use a hospital tank sometime. I love Aqua-Clear filters. Their sponges are huge, not filled with cheap carbon and the filters run for ever. Here's a copy of how I keep a filter ready for QT/HT that I've posted several times.

"In regards to Qt cycling; I've done this for years. Get a HOB filter; I really like Aqua-Clear, they have a big sponge and last forever. Don't use the carbon or ceramic noodles that come with the filter. Also, have some extra sponges on hand, they're cheap. Keep a sponge in the flow somewhere in your DT. When you need a QT or HT, just use the sponge that has been in your main system in your QT filter---the QT will be instantly cycled. When done, toss the sponge and keep a new one ready in your main system.
BTW, Cupramine copper, used in a QT,will not destroy a bio-filter."

Great! I agree that i want a precaution method for internal worms and flukes with this being an angel and all.

Would you recommend just one treatment of prazi in the tank, or multiples? Also, should I give them some time to get settled and eating... maybe a week, before treating?

Thanks for all your help so far... and BTW, i also have an aussie tusk, my FAVORITE fish by far! ... although this majestic looks VERY nice, maybe a toss-up now lol. The angel is acclimating as we speak

 

[platax88]

Here they are in QT!!!

They appear to be very healthy specimens. Eating just 10 mins after being added!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIXPlmTs4xc

 

[MrTuskfish]

Here they are in QT!!!

They appear to be very healthy specimens. Eating just 10 mins after being added!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIXPlmTs4xc

Beautiful fish and well thought-out QT. I've been in this hobby for 30+ yrs and still am amazed that we can get creatures like this from 3rd world sources, delivered to our door in perfect health. I'm glad they're eating, adult large angels can be especially tough to feed, especially weaned them onto a domestic diet. One of the newer frozen Angel formulas (with sponge) will go a long way with the P. navarchus. Oh yeah, 2 doses of Prazi-Pro and start after they're obviously comfortable and feeding.

 

[platax88]

Thanks again!

 

[platax88]

Beautiful fish and well thought-out QT. I've been in this hobby for 30+ yrs and still am amazed that we can get creatures like this from 3rd world sources, delivered to our door in perfect health. I'm glad they're eating, adult large angels can be especially tough to feed, especially weaned them onto a domestic diet. One of the newer frozen Angel formulas (with sponge) will go a long way with the P. navarchus. Oh yeah, 2 doses of Prazi-Pro and start after they're obviously comfortable and feeding.

Hi Mr. Tusk!

wanted to fill you in and ask for some advice.

Last night before going to bed I did a amonia test using API liquid kit. It was not as bright yellow (0) as I would have liked to see it, but definitely not lime/green (.25), lets call it .15 ... so I did a 50% water change and added some Prime to detoxify any ammonia. This morning the test returned about the same. Do you think that the carbon did not bring in enough bacteria to support the QT? What would you suggest I do, i really dont want to stress out the fish with too much involvement.

I bought a bottle of microbe-lift Special Blend which is live bacteria. Do you think I should add some of this to help seed things further?

Fish are acting great and no signs of stress. What to do? (If anything)

Thanks!

 

[platax88]

I just tested again this afternoon and got 0! Even after feeding today.

Maybe it was just a tiny spike while the bacteria got their act together? I will continue to monitor water daily and take appropriate steps.

ant feedback is appreciated!

 

[MrTuskfish]

I just tested again this afternoon and got 0! Even after feeding today.

Maybe it was just a tiny spike while the bacteria got their act together? I will continue to monitor water daily and take appropriate steps.

ant feedback is appreciated!

Good. The Microbe-Lift, and all the other lab-grown bacteria cultures get very mixed reviews. Generally negative. Also, they are said to compete with, and wipe out, the natural bacteria strains. Ammonia can bounce around a lot, especially in a new tank. I think you're on the right track.

 

[platax88]

Thanks, I decided against the microbe-lift. This morning i saw a slight green tinge again... maybe .15 again. so I did another 50% change.

Do you think ammonia at these levels will harm them?

 

[MrTuskfish]

Thanks, I decided against the microbe-lift. This morning i saw a slight green tinge again... maybe .15 again. so I did another 50% change.

Do you think ammonia at these levels will harm them?

No, but monitor closely and do WCs as needed.