Keys to successful quarantine?

[foshizzle]

I am a fairly experienced reefkeeper, but I've recently lost a number of fish in my 75g quarantine. The common symptom is that fish tend to swim in the current and respirate rapidly. The fish eat initially and appear healthy, but begin to decline for no apparent reason after 2-5 days.

I realize this a sign of oxygen deprivation but the tank is very well aerated with a skimmer, airstone, and flow. Nitrogen levels should be minimal because the tank contains lots of established base rock and I do 20% water changes with water from my SPS reef at least every other day

Over the past few months I've lost a 5" majestic, 2 powderblue tangs, a squareback anthias, and a volitan lion (housed in pairs). The fish have all remained ich free so I have kept the SG at 1.020 or above.

Any ideas?

 

[Sarcophyton69]

Could be Oodinium. It will attack the gills first.

 

[Mark]

What is the pH of the tank? Because Q-tanks often lack substrate and aren't receiving buffering additives, the pH will drop. This is especially the case, when hyposalinity is used to combat ich and other parasites.

 

[foshizzle]

I'll check pH. I've read the warnings but quit testing after having never actually experienced this problem. How low is too low?

Sarco's oodinium suggestion actually makes a lot of sense. Kind of forgot about that one...

 

[Mark]

High respiration is a sign of ammonia too. It burns gills. I know you said it's an established tank, and probably has a properly functioning biofilter. But you might check nevertheless, to be sure.

 

[WuHT]

Yes this is one thing i learned the hard way.

pH drops like mad in a QT tank..and if u dont put in a lot of established biofilter.. ammonia can rise .


I've tried products like Amquel ..but in the end taking used filterfloss/bioballs/filterpads and chuckin them into the filters of the QT seems to be more reliable.

 

[GreatReefs]

The best way to QT fish is to put them in a tank and figure out what problems they may or may not have then treat accordingly. I really like erythromycin to treat baterial problems.