Quarantine info and more help

[micielo719]

Hey guys... I am a newbie and have been reading every moment possible on starting up my reef tank for many months and I have also realized I have to set up a quarantine tank. My 120DT is not set up but I am planning on setting it up within the next month or so (waiting for my stand to be finished). I will be purchasing 150LB's of Marco rock this week and will be "curing/cooking" it in a 32G Brute container in my garage till my DT gets set up ghost feeding it once a day. I have purchased a Spectrapure 90GPD RO/DI unit for my water. Since I will not have my DT up and running yet I can't use that water for my QT so, my question is, can I set up my quarantine tank in the mean time by using RO/Di water with my salt mix and adding the Dr. Tims Bacteria?? I know I need a HOB (any recommendations for a 10-20 gallon tank would be appreciated). Ammonia badge, heater, thermometer, power head (any recommendations would be appreciated), a couple of PVC pipes for hiding, and a light. I am taking a proactive step to this and making sure I take every precaution necessary to ensure that I don't get any bad stuff in the tank from the fish. Is it ok to leave the fish in the QT for 2 months? I want to make my tank a mix reef tank, a few fish (4-5 at most), SPS/LPS. If I am looking at purchasing a Clown, Blue tang and Yellow tang would that be ok all together? Can I put them in the QT all at the same time so they can acclimate all together? Sorry for all the newbie questions but I am not the kind of guy that buys everything and dumps it all in my DT and hopes for the best. This is an expensive hobby and I have purchased many expensive items already so don't want to make a mistake in Qt'ng. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.

 

[DDon]

Just set up the QT with fresh made saltwater and cycle like you would any other tank using ammonia or a raw shrimp. I have never used the Dr. Tims Bacteria so I can't comment on that. Sounds like it would be a good time to start so it can be cycled before you are ready to add fish. For HOB filter I like to use the aqua clear/fluval 50. For power heads I use a koralia nano or a cheap aqueon. Also there is really no need to have a light on the qt.
Personally I like to use tank transfer (TTM) for prophylactic treatment (Ich) of all new fish, then 4 weeks or so in qt for observation. You can go longer in qt with no issues.

Tangs have the potential to be aggressive to new additions once they are established so you may consider waiting for awhile to add those. Not saying they will be, just they have the potential. My Powder Blue is that way but the Lavender and Sailfin are not. Adding 2 tangs to the display at the same time is a good idea as almost assuredly once one is established new tang additions will be harassed. Make sure you research the fish before you purchase, some tangs have a pretty large recommend minimum tank size.

 

[kmbyrnes]

I have had some fish in QT for over 4 months now, due to not using proper QT to start.
But now I have 2 10g for TTM and a permanent 40g QT. Get your QT up and cycling, so you will be ready. And research TTM.

 

[micielo719]

Thanks guys for the info. I will be purchasing my QT today. Thanks again

 

[tmz]

This thread may be of some interest for acclimation, preventative treatment and quarantine for new fish:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2185929&highlight=fish+acclimation+and+quarantine

 

[Dundermifflin]

The Dr. Tims One and Only does work well. You can set up your QT today with Dr. Tims and be ready for a few fish tomorrow. I've done this on a 20g QT.

 

[micielo719]

Awesome!! I'm gonna get the Dr Tims today. Another question. Now I see that I should also have a Hospital tank ready? I'm not sure I can have so many tanks ready. Is it ok if I end up setting up a 10G QT and watching the fish. If and when I see anything to bad can I treat my QT with copper and or any other medicine? Without having to get another hospital tank? Thanks

 

[Pigpen17]

Not sure about the hospital tank. I don't, but +1 on the Aquaclear HOB filter. I have used one with the sponge and the large sized Fluval bio rings in a media bag and never had an ammonia issue. The charcoal that comes with it is trash, and I haven't used the bio media that came with it, but the shape and versitillity is amazing for an HOB.

 

[micielo719]

Can someone chime in regarding a hospital tank?? I am setting up my QT but don't have space for another hospital tank. Can i use the QT tank instead... ?

 

[Pigpen17]

I will, but I have not had to treat for any illness but Ich.

As far as I know you can treat for just about anything in your QT as long as it will not contain live rock, sand or anything that has to go back in your display tank. If it is a truly separate system and only has mechanical filtration and PVC, then I think your good to go. You can dose copper or Prazipro or antibiotics. I actually can't see any reason to have a QT and a hospital tank, unless your QT is a cycled tank with live rock and such, which some have. I think my QT is a hospital tank.

If you want to ask the experts though, go visit the Fish Disease forum. They will give you the info you need.

 

[micielo719]

Thanks Pigpen.. I was hoping that was the case as I am just leaving the QT bare bones with the exception of PVC pipes. Absolutely no live rock or sand. Just the bare minimum for QT'nf fish/corals for ich or other parasites.