QTs

[MrTuskfish]

Here's a little basic info from LA on QTs. Note that they say only about 5% of hobbyists use a QT. This doesn't surprise me, but its still unbelievable. There are probably more hobbyists who use auto-feeders than QTs. The diseases and parasites that end up killing so many fish, and drive so many hobbyists away from this great addiction, are so preventable.....very frustrating. Maybe if a $50 used Craigs List smelled like new acrylic, more folks would use them.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=205

 

[aleonn]

I used to be part of the 95% who did not use QT. But once you have a bad experience, something has to change. Can't rely on getting lucky with fish all the time!

 

[MrTuskfish]

I used to be part of the 95% who did not use QT. But once you have a bad experience, something has to change. Can't rely on getting lucky with fish all the time!

I was part of the 95% too---that stuff only happens to other people and I knew what I was doing. Then lost most of a tankful of fish and spent a day just getting the survivors out; but this is a common story. maybe all those real experts DO know what they're talking about. Now I QT everything wet and haven't seen a parasite (except for a few isopods, no big deal) in any of my DTs in at least 15 years.

 

[nonstopfishies]

Agree. Quarantining is an absolute must. Nothing goes in without a long QT. Not dealing with tank teardowns and leaving it fallow ever again!

 

[nonstopfishies]

I also think it is funny that people are willing to sink a ton of money into the hobby, but not want to "waste" money on a QT. You can set up a QT so cheaply and it will save tons of money in the long run(let alone heartache, headaches, fish lives, etc.)

 

[jhentr]

I believe everyone starts out without QT (including me). But now I'm also the 5%. My thinking now is that everything comes in sick/infected and I have to QT before it touches my DT.

Yesterday I mention QT to my brother who isn't into fishes and he laughed at me.