90g-reefer
New member
Tomorrow I am buying a purple tang. The fish looks Great but I want to do a fresh water dip to kill any ich it could have. Can someone walk me through the complete process so I don't kill this $$$$$ fish.
Fresh water dip & purple tang
- Thread starter 90g-reefer
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90g-reefer
New member
I don't have 2 skimmers to be able to set up another tank, do I need one or can I just use a 30 gallon with a hang on filter?
hybridazn
New member
when setting up a QT tank you just need a bare bottom tank (probably at least 20 gal) some PVC pipe to supply hiding places, a HOB filter without carbon or other absorbent media and a powerhead for waterflow. you dont really want to run a skimmer because it will usually take out whatever medication you put in the water, along with LR or LS. if you are just setting up a new QT, make sure you do at least 25% water changes daily to keep ammonia levels down.
90g-reefer
New member
Do I need to QT? what is the benefit if the fish is healthy.
sfboarders
New member
HOB filter will work fine. You can use carbon in the filter but if you need to add any medication remove it. If you have a well cycled medium you don't need to do 25% WC everyday. Only time I do a WC is to pick up the poop which is once a week. I can probably get away longer but I don't like looking at a brown bottom tank. :eek1:I don't have any ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate in my QT. Get a bunch of filter pads and throw it in your DT or sump to build up some bacteria in it. Also get a seachem ammonia alert badge to monitor ammonia and use a powerhead for aeration.
90g-reefer
New member
But if the fish is healthy why do I need to QT. I have never QT any fish before.
RBU1
Moving on Up
Because you are taking a chance of introducing something to your tank that may kill all your fish. The fish might have ich in its gills that you cant see. Trust me I have been thru it twice and now I QT everything.
From some reading I have done FW dips will not kill ich unless you leave the fish in for a really long time. So long that it will kill the fish also. If you want to do a dip you shold use something like formalin but make sure you follow the instructions.
But really you should QT.
Chris27
New member
Russian Roulette my friend -
QT allows you to observe and treat for any potential ailments on a case by case basis. Even though the fish looks healthy, it could be harboring something that can take out the rest of the fish in your main tank.
If you have a very healthy display tank right now, don't mess with success, QT your new fish and ensure that you are putting a perfectly healthy speciman in your tank.
QT is a practice that can make this hobby that much more enjoyable - if you have questions, ask away! Good Luck.
QT is the only way to go, and while some may debate i always run my QT hypo salinity. Fish can have a immunity but still harbor some of the parasite and in return you will find yourself tearing your reef apart. Play it safe and treat your QT in hypo, it does not hurt your fish in the least.
luckyk0505
Member
Does QT tank need to be cycled?
RBU1
Moving on Up
Yes or you can use cycled material from your main tank.
90g-reefer
New member
Ok I guess I will qt. So how long do I qt and do I premedicate with anything? If I run the tank hypo what is my target sg?
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sfboarders
New member
At least 4 weeks. If you see signs of anything than treat. Some treat immediately for ich.
Me personally I make sure that the fish are eating well. If I see anything I treat immediately. Once treatment has completed I evaluate the fish for another 2 -3 weeks.
90g-reefer
New member
Should I keep the salinity hypo? What SG should I aim for?
In the last month I have added even more fish to my tank (never qt'd them) one of them a yellow tang. Everything looks to be good in the tank as of today. Is there anything I can do to help revert a problem or an infection that I may have introduced or if my other tang is caring something that has not yet showed. Is there anything I can do to cover my bases? May be I should pull the yellow out and qt it as well? It has only been in the tank for three days. Or could that stress it out too much?
In the last month I have added even more fish to my tank (never qt'd them) one of them a yellow tang. Everything looks to be good in the tank as of today. Is there anything I can do to help revert a problem or an infection that I may have introduced or if my other tang is caring something that has not yet showed. Is there anything I can do to cover my bases? May be I should pull the yellow out and qt it as well? It has only been in the tank for three days. Or could that stress it out too much?
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I would QT at least 2 weeks. Although a fish may seem healthy at first, it can take a while until any symptoms appear. Do it properly though for the full time. I was stupid enough to QT one of my fish for only 5 days and decided to put it in the main tank as it looked healthy. I found myself treating the whole tank after a while....
Treating one fish will be MUCH easier than treating your main tank. Will save you a lot of time, headaches and money in case the fish is sick
Treating one fish will be MUCH easier than treating your main tank. Will save you a lot of time, headaches and money in case the fish is sick
90g-reefer
New member
So I put off picking up the tang today due to a power failure in our area. I figured today wouldn't be a good day. But I did go buy it today and I will pick up tomorrow. But when I was down there I asked more questions about this fish. Apparently it was a donation by a local reefer that had to take down his tank. They have had it about 3 months and it has done great. It been in a fish only tank this whole time and my local fish guy keeps all his fish only tanks treated with copper. So I guess if what he is telling me is true my medication free QT tank will just be an opportunity to reassure me that I am introducing a healthy fish. So I guess my question is, do most LFS keep their fish only tanks dosed with copper or is this a unique method for my LFS?
Chris27
New member
The good fish stores will keep a couple of copper treated tanks for when they get new stock in, but in reality most do not. I'm lucky enough to have a LFS that keeps a low dose of copper on their fish tanks. If you're going the hypo route, aim for a SG of 1.010, anything higher or lower can lead to problems. I would keep the fish in there for at least 4 weeks for hypo, and 2-3 weeks if doing an ionic copper treatment.
As for a cycled QT, it's not absolutely necessary, however water quality should be tested 2-3 times a day and any ammonia / nitrite dealt with immediately with Prime and water changes. If you have a cycled QT, testing and water changes can be kept to a minimum since the bio filter will take care of the ammonia before it can have an affect.
I'm glad you're deciding to go the QT route, you'll be happy about it when you tell your fellow reefers you've never had to deal with a sick fish in the display. Good Luck, hopefully everything goes alright, purple tangs are definitely one of the prettiest.
As for a cycled QT, it's not absolutely necessary, however water quality should be tested 2-3 times a day and any ammonia / nitrite dealt with immediately with Prime and water changes. If you have a cycled QT, testing and water changes can be kept to a minimum since the bio filter will take care of the ammonia before it can have an affect.
I'm glad you're deciding to go the QT route, you'll be happy about it when you tell your fellow reefers you've never had to deal with a sick fish in the display. Good Luck, hopefully everything goes alright, purple tangs are definitely one of the prettiest.
that is not correct, you want be 1.008 - 1.009 and hold it there, you will have no problems unless you are dealing with sharks and rays.
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