Qt tank

[langel]

How do I set up a QT tank? I believe my clown fish has ich. He has what appears to be white crystals like sand all over his body. This happened 3 days ago went away and now has come back.

 

[Freed]

If you have other fish in the same tank with it then you will have to QT ALL of your fish to get rid of the ich. QTing just that one fish will allow the ich that is still in the main tank to continue living. Even though you can't see it on the other fish at the moment there is more than likely ich in your sand, in the water and possibly in the gills or on the the other fish.

 

[langel]

Ok, can I use a smaller tank and do I have to use live sand?

 

[racerw]

When I had to set up a qt I used a 20 gallon long, with a hang on the back filter, water from my main tank & a heater. The first time I set up a QT tank it was not cycled so I did major water changes daily & used amquel to keep the NH3 under control. If you happen to have a sponge of some type in your tank you can use that to help w/the cycle.
I also had a fish that had ick, I used hypo & it worked great.
Hope that answered your questions.

 

[racerw]

I would not use sand in a QT tank, just use some pvc pipes to give the fish some hiding room. I would use a 10-20 gallon tank, you can also use a rubbermaid tub, if you do not have a 20 gallon easily available.

 

[Freed]

No sand, that's where ich can live and multiply. 20 gallon tank would be good. I don't like the idea of a non clear tub to put fish in as you can't observe them for signs of disease.

 

[langel]

What about using a cleaner shrimp instead of setting up a qt tank?

 

[racerw]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10790121#post10790121 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by langel
What about using a cleaner shrimp instead of setting up a qt tank?

People have used them & some say to use them....You can read alot of different ways to treat ick. Some do nothing & it works for them, my fish was looking bad so I was scared to wait it out.