My First Quarantine Tank

[Pigpen17]

Hello RC!

So I am about to undergo my first QT, and I wanted to start this thread so I can get advice through the process. All my work and waiting will be for not if I miss a step, or do something wrong. Any and all advice would be appreciated.

A little background. My 56g tank has been fallow for Ich and God knows what else for about 58 days. I am about two weeks away from the 72 day mark. (YAY!) I set up my QT yesterday (3/20) to prepare for my first incoming fish. Most likely a Midas Blenny.

I made a short vid of my tank, but it is as follows:

10g Tank
AQ 30 filter with sponge and bio rings
Heater
500gph Power head
Temp: 75, but raising to 78
SG: 1.023

Am I in business?

<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid17.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb71%2Fpigpen_%2FQT1.mp4">

One thing I am thinking of changing is putting the rings in a media bag so I can remove them to run charcoal if I need to.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Looks good. Do you have a lid? Blennies are known jumpers. I lost a Midas one week prior to him going into the main

 

[Pigpen17]

I do, but the back is open. I will patch that up.

 

[smsadmin]

Think it will be perfect once you have a lid. Just make sure you use it!

 

[Bearjohnson]

Just keep an eye on your ammonia once you introduce any livestock.

Are you planning on running any medications during the QT or are you just going to observe?

 

[MrTuskfish]

Unless I missed something, your QT isn't cycled. There are finally two bacteria starters that actually work: Bio-Spira and Dr. Tim's. I took a suggestion from MrScribbled and tried Bio-Spira; it works extremely well. I really like AC filters, they run forever and the sponges are great for ammonia control, I used them long before they included the ceramic noodles. The Bio-Spira will help with the initial use; for the future, keep a AC sponge or bag of noodles somewhere in the flow of your main tank and it will be ready to instantly cycle the QT/HT as needed. As Bearjohnson said above, watch ammonia, don't just the Bio-Spira. Ammonia can be a real problem, especially in small QTs. Stock your tank slowly and the QT will be the best investment you have made. I'd also keep some good carbon on hand. The cheap carbon that comes with filters is basically useless.

 

[Pigpen17]

Just keep an eye on your ammonia once you introduce any livestock.

Are you planning on running any medications during the QT or are you just going to observe?

TBH, I am taking this one step at a time. I may do TT right out of the bag and then into the QT. I am very much in favor of medicating as long as the medication is not harmful/stressful (ie copper). First priority will be getting the fish in the QT and eating.

MrT.
I was curious about the cycling part. I did add Biospira, and I have read on here that in pinch, it can get a QT/HT functional fast, but I have all the time in the world, as I have no fish inbound. Should I do the shrimp thing? Ghost feed?

Thanks in advance.

Oh and good tip on the carbon. I was thinking I was set if needed. Throwing that crap away.

 

[Pigpen17]

Letting the tank sit for a week or so and run. Tested yesterday. Everything was fine, of course because nothing is going on in there, but ALK was high (11). I'm gonna see if that can come down.

Also, is this thread OK being here? Maybe this is better suited for the "New To The Hobby" forum?

 

[Pigpen17]

I'm putting together a DrFosterandSmith order. Getting Fish Zole & Fish Zole Forte (Metronidazole) and PraziPro. Any other suggestions?

I have Cupramine already, but I am against using it.

Also, getting egg crate for the top.

 

[Pigpen17]

Update.

First fish inbound. An African Midas Blenny from Divers Den.

I have the lid to the QT all squared away. Everything looks good water wise. PH: 8.0|Alk: 10|Everything else 0. SG: 1.024. Temp 79. It has been running for 8 days after Biospira. I am a bit worried about oxygenation/aeration, but my AQ might be enough with surface agitation and the short drop into the tank is causing bubbles.

Because it's from divers den, I am just going to observe for 2-4 weeks. No prophylactic treatments. I just want to see a successful QT just in the basic principles. Of course, if I suspect anything wrong, I will have to treat.

I may change my mind if things are going well and go ahead with Prazipro regardless of visual signs.

My first fish in the 56 (I hope!). I’m stoked.

 

[Deinonych]

Update.

First fish inbound. An African Midas Blenny from Divers Den.

I have the lid to the QT all squared away. Everything looks good water wise. PH: 8.0|Alk: 10|Everything else 0. SG: 1.024. Temp 79. It has been running for 8 days after Biospira. I am a bit worried about oxygenation/aeration, but my AQ might be enough with surface agitation and the short drop into the tank is causing bubbles.

Because it's from divers den, I am just going to observe for 2-4 weeks. No prophylactic treatments. I just want to see a successful QT just in the basic principles. Of course, if I suspect anything wrong, I will have to treat.

I may change my mind if things are going well and go ahead with Prazipro regardless of visual signs.

My first fish in the 56 (I hope!). I'm stoked.

If you aren't going to proactively treat, 4 weeks really isn't sufficient. I would shoot for 6-8 weeks to ensure there is no disease present. While DD has arguably the most healthy livestock in the business, they don't really quarantine in their facility except for rare or difficult species. Think of them as providing an "extended acclimation" service rather than a quarantine. I have a Blue Flasher in QT from them right now, and I plan to keep him in QT for at least 8 weeks. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Pigpen17]

Good to know. Thanks.

Haha. I just noticed the irony of my last statement in above post and your signature.

 

[Pigpen17]

Midas Blenny day two.

So the little guy is in the Qt. can't tell if it's doing alright or not. It's just clumped up in a little ball behind a piece if PVC. I tried feeding a bit if clam and then some brine shrimp today, but nothing.

Question. The clam I fed just went directly into my Aquaclear intake and was sucked up, of course. Now I'm thinking this could be an unwanted source of ammonia. I should tear it down and get that out of there?

Also, I am thinking of getting an actual tank decoration that has small holes. I am not sure the PVC is what this guy needs.

 

[Pigpen17]

Sorry. Letting this thread drop. Moving to QT question thread in New To The Hobby forum. Thanks to all who got me this far.

 

[Pigpen17]

Update for the sake of actual success.

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QT tank worked great! Me, not so much. Observed for 3 weeks and then moved my fish to DT. Now I may have flukes. Really dumb on my part. Live and learn I guess.

 

[Deinonych]

If you are not proactively treating, 3 weeks is way too short for QT. You need to observe for at least 8 weeks to make sure no disease is present.

 

[HumbleFish]

If you are not proactively treating, 3 weeks is way too short for QT. You need to observe for at least 8 weeks to make sure no disease is present.

+1 It can take up to 4 weeks for Velvet to show and that's a tank killer.

 

[Pigpen17]

TBH, I feel like a dipsh*t. I was lured in by Divers Den's sales pitch and lost my battle with patience. If it was not DD, then I would have treated for sure. Now I know it makes no difference where you get your fish. None.

I have learned my lesson though. I am going to treat every fish as though it is sick. Instead of treating it as if it is healthy and looking for signs of illness, I am going to assume it has something and that I am just waiting to figure out what that is.

 

[Deinonych]

If it's just flukes, you can treat with Prazipro in the DT without harm to most invertebrates (it will kill any beneficial worms, though).

 

[HumbleFish]

TBH, I feel like a dipsh*t. I was lured in by Divers Den's sales pitch and lost my battle with patience. If it was not DD, then I would have treated for sure. Now I know it makes no difference where you get your fish. None.

I have learned my lesson though. I am going to treat every fish as though it is sick. Instead of treating it as if it is healthy and looking for signs of illness, I am going to assume it has something and that I am just waiting to figure out what that is.

We've all been there, buddy. I've lost dozens of fish either by not QT'ing or due to my own ignorance. All that matters now is, as you said, you've learned your lesson. So, :thumbsup: to you!