QT Invert and Coral Question - In New Frag Tank

[nuxx]

Hey everyone,

We're going out to LA next week to pick some coral for our new frag tank...

Right now the tank has nothing in it except for two large pieces of live rock that was in our display's sump for 18 months, as well as some dirty filter pads from the display. Also 80 lbs of dry sand and Biospira was added to the tank.

I was thinking that since this tank has no CUC and our display has a fairly poor CUC, that I'd pick up some snails and stuff as well.

Now here's the question...

I'd like to QT all inverts and coral before they see the display.

I don't plan on adding any fish to the frag tank for a decent amount of time... but I want to keep a small group of Anthias, pest eating Wrasse and a canary fish like an Achilles.

If I add the inverts and coral to the frag tank and wait over 72 days from the time they are added (with no more additions), should I be good in taking some of the inverts (or coral) out and adding them to the display?

If I wait 4 weeks after adding the inverts and coral, I could probably go ahead and order fish to QT for 6 weeks that will end up in the frag tank.

What do you guys think about this idea?

Also, was just planning on waiting 4 weeks after adding new coral in the future to see if the fish (mainly Achilles) show any signs of disease before saying the coral is fine to add to the display. Should I change this to 72 days?

Thanks :beer:

 

[Shark.Bait]

You should be fine with the inverts in the frag tank for 72 days.

As far as the Achilles acting as a canary, I'm not too sure that will work. Many people have separate QT and frag tanks for this reason. The ich may infect the achilles and not create visible spots for some time. For instance, when people say their tank hasn't had ich for years, only to have a stressor causes its reemergence. While the achilles might not have spots, that isn't a foolproof way to guarantee that the frags won't carry ich. I believe the only way to do that, is to have a fishless frag tank; the last addition being over 72 days ago. Then you can say you have no ich. This is just my opinion, however.

 

[nuxx]

You should be fine with the inverts in the frag tank for 72 days.

As far as the Achilles acting as a canary, I'm not too sure that will work. Many people have separate QT and frag tanks for this reason. The ich may infect the achilles and not create visible spots for some time. For instance, when people say their tank hasn't had ich for years, only to have a stressor causes its reemergence. While the achilles might not have spots, that isn't a foolproof way to guarantee that the frags won't carry ich. I believe the only way to do that, is to have a fishless frag tank; the last addition being over 72 days ago. Then you can say you have no ich. This is just my opinion, however.

Yeah I've been back and forth so many times on this...

Pros and cons for doing it both ways

 

[Deinonych]

I would just go with the 72 day QT on inverts and not bother with having a fish in with them.

 

[nuxx]

I would just go with the 72 day QT on inverts and not bother with having a fish in with them.

And coral?

 

[Deinonych]

And coral?

Is coral not an invertebrate?

 

[Shark.Bait]

Yeah I've been back and forth so many times on this...

Pros and cons for doing it both ways

If you're worried about re-sale of these frags (noticed you're coral imports) then maybe throw a UV sterilizer on the tank and not worry about it. Realistically, you can't guarantee that any frag has absolutely no parasite or ailment on it. It's just not practical. Are you planning to hold these frags for 72 days before resale?

If it's a big deal to QT the frags then just go fishless.

 

[Deinonych]

If you're worried about re-sale of these frags (noticed you're coral imports) then maybe throw a UV sterilizer on the tank and not worry about it. Realistically, you can't guarantee that any frag has absolutely no parasite or ailment on it. It's just not practical. Are you planning to hold these frags for 72 days before resale?

If it's a big deal to QT the frags then just go fishless.

I agree, although a UV sterilizer is somewhat superfluous since the 72 day period is to ensure there are no remaining cysts on the frags/plugs. Theronts are only infective for about 18 hours, so they would die off by the time the 72nd day ended even without passing through a UV sterilizer.

 

[nuxx]

Is coral not an invertebrate?

LOL

Yeah not worried about resale... these are personal.