My first try with QT was a failure :(

[mrsixstrings12]

I've really been investing time and money into my tank and thought it would be a good time to set up a quarantine tank. It consisted of a 10g, a heater, an mp10, and some seeded filter media. My first fish went in on May 2, a simple firefish. I did a dose of prazipro about 3 days ago. Never got him to eat. Just found him stuck to the mp10. It is set to it's lowest power and is placed in an upper corner so I'm almost positive that he had passed on and then was sucked to it due to the current.

Super bummed out. I lost all but my 2 clownfish when I moved my tank, added 3 cardinal fish shortly after the move, and proceeded to lose them in less than a week. And now, even when going the extra mile by quarantining and whatnot, I still can't seem to keep stuff alive.

My 120g just seems so empty and lifeless with just 3 coral frags and 2 clownfish.

 

[Subsea]

Without getting into all the other stuff, you have tooo much flow for a qt tank. Second, qt should be stress free. It does not sound like your qt was stress free. Consider this: 60% of fish are killed by stress while 19% are killed by parasite. You did not know if your fish had a parasite yet you stressed it with chemicals and a high energy tank. Instead of stress free quarantine to observe for disease. You killed your fish with improper quarantine.

Set up a permanent quarantine tank with macro algae. After 2 weeks of observation, fish can be released to tank. If fish require cooper treatment, even with a disruption in nitrification bacteria the macro algae will process fish waste, eliminating the need for frequent water changes, which is another source of stress.

 

[Uncle99]

Without getting into all the other stuff, you have tooo much flow for a qt tank. Second, qt should be stress free. It does not sound like your qt was stress free. Consider this: 60% of fish are killed by stress while 19% are killed by parasite. You did not know if your fish had a parasite yet you stressed it with chemicals and a high energy tank. Instead of stress free quarantine to observe for disease. You killed your fish with improper quarantine.

Set up a permanent quarantine tank with macro algae. After 2 weeks of observation, fish can be released to tank. If fish require cooper treatment, even with a disruption in nitrification bacteria the macro algae will process fish waste, eliminating the need for frequent water changes, which is another source of stress.

^^^^above^^^^^
My QT is just 20g, heater, and tiny sponge filter, + 2 plastic plumbing elbows.
I never cycle, just do the water change, vacuum up uneaten food.
I treat with nothing, unless there is some need to.
Two weeks then into the DT.
Never had to treat one fish yet, but all mine come from LFS, they put hold on for 7, Then I put my name on it for 7 + my QT time.

 

[oldhead]

Without getting into all the other stuff, you have tooo much flow for a qt tank. Second, qt should be stress free. It does not sound like your qt was stress free. Consider this: 60% of fish are killed by stress while 19% are killed by parasite. You did not know if your fish had a parasite yet you stressed it with chemicals and a high energy tank. Instead of stress free quarantine to observe for disease. You killed your fish with improper quarantine.

Set up a permanent quarantine tank with macro algae. After 2 weeks of observation, fish can be released to tank. If fish require cooper treatment, even with a disruption in nitrification bacteria the macro algae will process fish waste, eliminating the need for frequent water changes, which is another source of stress.

And the other 11% are killed by not matching the salinity from where you bought the fish.

 

[mrsixstrings12]

I read on multiple threads and sites to just treat with prazi since you can't tell whether the fish has a parasite or not. I matched salinity. The too much flow I did not think of. I figured the lowest setting on an mp10 would get the job done bit not be overly powerful. I noticed when I first put the mp10 in that the fish had trouble swimming but that is because it was on 75%. After lowering he seemed to be able to swim just fine. I guess I'll invest in something smaller.

My plan is to have this tank cycled and running for the time being so I can stock my tank. Then tear it down once I get all the fish I would like.

 

[Bent]

I've really been investing time and money into my tank and thought it would be a good time to set up a quarantine tank. It consisted of a 10g, a heater, an mp10, and some seeded filter media. My first fish went in on May 2, a simple firefish. I did a dose of prazipro about 3 days ago. Never got him to eat. Just found him stuck to the mp10. It is set to it's lowest power and is placed in an upper corner so I'm almost positive that he had passed on and then was sucked to it due to the current.

Super bummed out. I lost all but my 2 clownfish when I moved my tank, added 3 cardinal fish shortly after the move, and proceeded to lose them in less than a week. And now, even when going the extra mile by quarantining and whatnot, I still can't seem to keep stuff alive.

My 120g just seems so empty and lifeless with just 3 coral frags and 2 clownfish.

I don't think the MP10 was the issue. Though it might be more current than necessary.


I think your problem is oxygen. You really just need an air stone in there, or at the very least some powerhead pointing at the surface.

Prazipro will lower the oxygen level in the bath, and you really need to supercharge the dissolved o2 in the tank before treating. So it likely just suffocated.

It's also an issue when you start treating before you get the fish eating. I haven't QTd in a while because I haven't added any fish in a number of years, but when I did it, I always made sure I gave the animals at least a week or two in QT to get adjusted and make sure they start eating before I subjected them to any medication or treatment methods.

In short.
1: Increase the o2 levels in the QT with a air pump and an air stone. The more the better, I would shoot for significantly more than you think you need.

2: you can get rid of the mp10, I really don't think this is your problem though, but with enough circulation from a big enough air stone you won't need it.

3: always make sure the animals have time to start eating, and adjust to their new environment before exposing to any medications.

4: I would not QT more than one animal in the same QT at the same time.

5: I would tear down and scrub the QT between animals. It's counter intuitive to keep it up and running.

 

[davocean]

It's hard to say from here what happened, fish could have already been sick for all we know, so better to have this happen in QT rather than display.

I also see nothing wrong w/ mp10, yeah overkill, but tuned tuned down just fine.

Keep trying, patience, you'll get there

 

[alton]

Get you one of these
https://m.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3954
Place the foam part in your display tank sump, next time you need to qt something use the filter and a air pump and you are covered. Make sure to give the fish plenty of hiding places.

 

[moondoggy4]

^^^^^^^ EXACTLY I had one in my QT they can handle a large fish load. Seed it in you DT and then put it in the QT.

 

[mrsixstrings12]

Prazipro will lower the oxygen level in the bath, and you really need to supercharge the dissolved o2 in the tank before treating. So it likely just suffocated.

It's also an issue when you start treating before you get the fish eating. I haven't QTd in a while because I haven't added any fish in a number of years, but when I did it, I always made sure I gave the animals at least a week or two in QT to get adjusted and make sure they start eating before I subjected them to any medication or treatment methods.

I was unaware of it lowering the o2 levels. I figured I was covered having the mp10 closer to the water level, but I also had the tank 90% covered to prevent jumping issues. Hindsight is 20/20...:headwally:

I will definitely make sure they are eating before treatment next time, switch to an air stone/filter, and switch the tank covering to light diffuser instead.

:sad1:

 

[Bent]

I was unaware of it lowering the o2 levels. I figured I was covered having the mp10 closer to the water level, but I also had the tank 90% covered to prevent jumping issues. Hindsight is 20/20...:headwally:

I will definitely make sure they are eating before treatment next time, switch to an air stone/filter, and switch the tank covering to light diffuser instead.

:sad1:

Yeah you should use one of those screen tops instead.