Quarantine 101

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IMO, a 30g would be better -- these tiny tangs are very susceptible to losses -- but a 20g will be acceptable for a fish that size (even a tang) for the amount of time involved, and is highly preferrable to introducing the fish without QT.
 
Scuglass,

Absolutely quarantine the tang - ALL fish.....anything wet (crabs, hermits, macroalgae, corals, etc) needs to be quarantined.

A 20 gallon for a 1-2 inch tang would be adequate for a QT. If you have a choice 20H versus 20L - pick the 20L as this would give the tang more horizontal room to swim.

Best of luck,
Kelly
 
Amy (and everyone else), nice thread so far. A few questions, please.

Since this is a "101" course, do you mind commenting on exactly how much volume you're using for your water changes, and how often are you doing it?

Do you intend to clean out the sponge in your HOB filter during the six week quarantine period?

Thanks in advance.
 
In the process of going into and coming out of hypo, you are going to do water changes daily. Otherwise, this is a judgement call based on the bioload and filtering capacity of the QT. You want to keep water quality very high, while minimized stress on the animals from sticking things in the tank to do the changes.

If the tank and filter are established, there's no reason to do really frequent water changes, but you want to keep an eye on parameters so you can intervene if needed.

If treating for ick, siphoning the bottom of the tank daily is highly recommended. That ends up being a 1/2 gallon change per day.

I like to do 10-20% water changes weekly in QT to help maintain high water quality, and rinsing out the filter sponge weekly or more (as needed) in discarded tank water. Since I feed heavily while in QT, I also like to do quick daily siphoning of the bottom whenever the stress levels of the fish permit.
 
P.S. I also run carbon in QT unless it's contraindicated by any medications, and change the carbon weekly.
 
Nicole said it best. I'll just add what I've done for these two thus far.

Dudester said:
Since this is a "101" course, do you mind commenting on exactly how much volume you're using for your water changes, and how often are you doing it?
Click to expand...

So far I've done anywhere from 1/2 a gallon to a full gallon a day water change. At the end of the day I'll syphon out any waste or uneaten food. Easy as pie, I use ridge small diameter hose (connected to flexible) to get into all the nooks and into their silly little bowl. The salinity of the freshly mixed saltwater I use for the changes lowers and lowers as the days pass. Right now I am at the level I want, 1.009. I started off at 1.022 and it's taken a little over a week (9 days really) to get down to the hypo SG I need. That might seem over cautious but they are doing well so I don't mind.

At this point they get to go 6 weeks before I slowly bring it up to my main tanks 1.025

Do you intend to clean out the sponge in your HOB filter during the six week quarantine period?
Click to expand...

No, I'll toss it away. They are cheap enough to replace so I don't bother with sterilizing it after I use it. I know some people don't mind cleaning it out, but it's not for me. :)
 
Update on Charlie:

His fins look worse this morning. :( Lucy might have kicked up a fit at him, I'm not sure. When I observe them they seem to do very well together. Charlie will show he is submissive (that sideways shake they are known for), I've seen him do so a few times. The only times I've seen Lucy nip at him has been when I have fed, and they go for the same bite. Or when I am in front of the tank too long, I think I unnerve her and she tests testy so she will take it out on him.

I'll snap a picture in a little bit.
 
If he is doing the shake, it could indicate maybe they aren't a totally mature pair yet? Or maybe the stress of capture and shipment has weakened their bond so that he feels the need to keep telling her she's boss?

I think you may be right that his fins are the worse for wear because of her, that is, if you don't see any signs of infection on his fins.
 
I would guess it is the stress of shipment that has weakened them. I really do not know for sure, but it seems/sounds right by watching them. Now that they are getting strong again and fattened up, maybe there is a need to reestablish the relationship.

Here is a super bad picture. Acrylic wasn't clean and he was moving all over the place. Lucy was ticked off with the flash and getting aggravated.

Fins055copyx2.jpg


No signs of infection, but that's a good chunk missing.
 
another question in one of the articles it metions quarinting live rock. what would u look for during this quartine period? anyprocedures to do ? is the 6 weeks necessary? all i can think of is looking out for hitchhikers? same with corals?
 
You would look for any unwanted life.

Aiptasia, Majonos, flatworms, hydroids, unwanted macro or micro algae (caulerpa being an example), unknown and untrustworthy hitchhikers crabs, snails, worms, isopods, mantis shrimp, etc. More then that too. It's worth the time an effort. So that if you see something in there you can take care of it right away.

Corals there are all kinds of hitchhikers and possible problem. Nudies, red bugs (sps), flatworms again. Another good reason to QT corals is that you can treat them quickly for any infectious problems (RTN, STN, brown jelly, etc) and not spread anything to other corals putting their life in jeopardy.
 
When I quarantine live rock, I place a piece of lighting crate on top of a couple pvc couplings. I then place the rock on the lighting crate. You'd be amazed how much unwanted stuff will fall under the crate where you can easily syphon them away. On live rock I quarantine for 6-8 weeks. Fish a mandatory 8+ weeks....but then again, I've been told that I am obsessive compulsive :)

Kelly
 
Charlie's fin as of tonight. The top looks wonderful! It was shredded when he first got here. They healed up quick. Now I just need to wait for the bottom to heal.

I'm sure everyone is getting tired of the same ol yellow bowl pictures. :)

Fins074copy.jpg


You can also see he has been eating well. :D Normal feces so I don't think he has a belly full of worms.

Fins071copy.jpg


And I had to add one of Lucy :p

Fins075copy.jpg
 
Again, I am struck by what a gorgeous fish she is, although I sense Charlie is your favorite. ;)

Are you planning to raise babies from this pair?
 
:D Yea, I think he is. A little scrapper. Dealing with a miffed female. You have to cheer him on.

I dearly hope they spawn one day. I'd love to raise the fry.
 
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