QT Routine

[hmspradlin]

Alright, interested in knowing what your QT'ing routine is. I understand some don't QT, but I will be regardless.

Main question- do you use water from your cycled DT or just put in fresh saltwater (after 48 hours of being mixed of course) and do frequent water changes?

2nd- Do you observe and treat if needed, or treat regardless and still observe? If so, what do you treat with.

3rd- What is your regimen?

 

[Nina51]

i use a 10g tank with fresh saltwater. i let a new fish settle for a couple of days and then i do the 12-day tank transfer. after tt is done, the fish goes back into a plain ole qt (water, heater, air stone for water movement, a couple of pieces of pvc for hidey holes). also, i have several filter sponges in my sump and when i get a new fish into qt, i throw one of those in for some biological filtration. i do water changes every couple of days but just 2-3 gallons which takes me all of 5 minutes.

i observe for another 4 weeks or so and if all is well, into the dt he goes. i do use an acclimation box when a new fish goes into my dt. so far, i have been able to release the fish into the dt from the box within a few hours.

i don't treat unless i see a problem (which, thankfully, i have not so far). my kole tang did develop lympho but there is no treatment and it went away on its own after i started using vitamin supplements.

kudos to you for doing qt!!!

 

[Ryanrttu]

For all your QT info, questions and answers this is a good spot...http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2195588

 

[mbauma]

Step # TTM Steps Day Actual Date Completed
1 Clean Final QT if necessary Day zero

2 Prepare TTM tank 1 Day zero

3 Prepare TTM tank 2 Day zero

4 Put fish into tank #1 Day 1

5 Move fish to tank #2(am) Day 4

6 Clean/sanitize tank #1 Day 4
7 Treat with Prazi in tank #2 Day 4

8 Move fish into tank #1(am) Day 7

9 Clean/sanitize tank #2 Day 7

10 Move fish into tank #2(am) Day 10
11 Clean/sanitize tank #1 Day 10

12 Treat with Prazi in tank #2 Day 10

13 Move fish into Final QT Day 13

14 Clean/sanitize tank #2 Day 13

15 Clean/sanitize tank #1 Day 13

16 Move fish into DT Day 43

 

[ca1ore]

Let's see ..... I do use water from my display (functions as a water change of sorts) and I only do water changes in the QT if ammonia problems present or if I am purging a particular medication. I generally just observe for 6 to 12 weeks, though certain fish like Tangs may get CP prophylactically.

 

[hmspradlin]

omg tank transfer? what is that? like acclimation?

<---such a rookie.

I do look at the newbie thread and read the QT thing, but theres so much info that its over whelming. make sense?

 

[Ryanrttu]

Posted by bnumair:


You don't need to go all out here. A simple tank size of 10 - 20 gallons will suffice for most people. If you have larger fish, then obviously you want to get a bigger quarantine tank. All you really need is a bare bones setup with the following equipment:

1. Some type of filtration (a hang on the back of the tank power filter will work, just use filter floss without the carbon since carbon will remove medication from the water, being counter productive)
2. Heater
3. A power head and/or an air stone for increased surface agitation
4. Aquarium test kits for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate
5. Fish Net - don't use the same net for your main tank

There are 2 of my personal favorite methods that I adopt.
Permanent QT or Emergency QT.

Emergency QT.

This type of tank is quite favorite among reefers. This does not require a setup that is up and running 24/7. List of hardware is same.
In case you feel a need for a QT, just put together all the equipment and put water from your main tank in it and you are good to go.
Keep an eye on ammonia and nitrites and do water changes as needed.
This method will require relatively more water changes that permanent method as bacterial colonies are not established and thus require a little bit more attention from owner to maintain perfect chemistry.

There are few ways to shorten/cut the attention requirement in this process by adding chemicals like ammonolock or amquel that binds ammonia from being toxic to fish.
Another popular way to seed the tank is to keep extra filters in your main tank's sump and keep them seeded this way and when required pull them and use them in QT.
Just remember if copper is used in QT, those filters cannot go back to sump once QT is taken offline.

You should do that...then as you are doing it ask questions to bnumair on that thread on anything you run across as you are setting it up. He will get back to you usually with in the day. I'm personally in the process of a permanent QT (2 weeks in at the moment) and bnumair has been so helpful along the way with my many questions ive asked.

 

[mbauma]

omg tank transfer? what is that? like acclimation?

<---such a rookie.

I do look at the newbie thread and read the QT thing, but theres so much info that its over whelming. make sense?

If you look at my post above, I put that together using info from all of the QT threads and stickies. It basically lays out TTM and a permanent QT and includes Prazi treatment.

I have it as a document if anyone is interested.

 

[Nina51]

omg tank transfer? what is that? like acclimation?

<---such a rookie.

I do look at the newbie thread and read the QT thing, but theres so much info that its over whelming. make sense?

sorry, i didn't mean to confuse you with the abbreviations and stuff. LOL honey, we were all rookies at one time. i NEVER used to quarantine anything. never had an outbreak of anything but now that i know more, i realize how lucky i was!

setting up a quarantine tank is a walk in the park. some people keep a "permanent" qt others, like myself, set one up for the purpose of keeping an eye on a new fish for a few weeks. once my fish go into my display tank, my quarantine tank gets banished to the back room.

tank transfer sounds a LOT harder than it is. believe me, if i can do it, you can.

don't get discouraged just because you have stuff to learn. for me, the learning has been kinda fun. i'm old and chemistry was never one of my strong points so i have amazed myself a couple of times!

 

[hmspradlin]

What of tank transfer isn't an option? I ask because I only have a 10 gal qt

 

[shesacharmer]

I got Tote's from Walmart to use for TTM. You can even use a bucket. You basically need two heaters, two thermometers, an air pump with two lines and disposable airstones for each (throw away the stone after each 3 day period) and some pvc for your fish to hide in. Everything is easy to clean and air dry for 24 hours in between uses. Nothing needs to be elaborate, the fish don't mind. After the 12 days your fish will go into your QT. You can use one tote (or bucket) and your QT if you want to.

 

[igot2gats]

What are the pros of the Tank Transfer Method vs. observing / medicating in one QT?

 

[Nina51]

the biggest pro to tank transfer is that, if done right, it virtually wipes out any chance that your fish will end up with ich.

 

[hmspradlin]

the biggest pro to tank transfer is that, if done right, it virtually wipes out any chance that your fish will end up with ich.

What if you did TT and treat with Prazipro? would that increase your chances? Do you acclimate each time you tt? and use fresh water every time you transfer to a new bin/tank?