How long should I quarantine LR?

[fasteddie99]

I bought a piece of live rock last week and have had it in my QT tank ever since and I am wanting to introduce it to my tank but I am not sure what the rules are for knowing when. Is there a set time? My numbers are great except for my nitrites which are at 2.0 and my main tank (55gal) is at 0. How should I handle this?

Thanks a bunch.

 

[fatdaddy]

It depends what your quarantining from. e.g., 30 days to be safe from Ich.

 

[fasteddie99]

Well, I am not really sure what from but I thought it was to make sure that there are no harmful hitchhikers on it.??? Am I right? I dont know.

 

[FranktheTankTx]

If you're simply worried about hitchikers... dip in some hypo salinity water a couple of times.

For the most part, the hitchikers are the cool part of buying LR. You'll find WAY more cool hitchikers than bad ones.

 

[crvz]

I know a lot of folks that QT liverock due to hitchhikers. What kind of QT do you have setup? I'd say 30 days with observation would be ok, it also gives it time to cure a little. I'd recommend water changes during the time too.

 

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13224613#post13224613 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fatdaddy
It depends what your quarantining from. e.g., 30 days to be safe from Ich.

11 weeks to be 100% certain ich is dead and gone

(longest ich has been reported to survive without a host)

IF you are QT'ing in fear of ich that is.

 

[fasteddie99]

Frank, yeah your prolly right, never thought of it that way.

crvz, I have just a simple 10gal tank with a power head, filter, and a heater. Water changes are a good idea, thanks.

 

[Tswifty]

Actually it's 12 weeks... my bad

11 weeks + an extra week to guarantee eradication.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1426833&highlight=remain+fishless

 

[djm2221]

after a week, i would just throw the rock in the tank, the chance of transmitting ich on live rock is slim