Quarantine Question in Finger Lakes Region

[loxodonta51]

I posted this on the main page, but wanted it specifically addressed to those in this region as well:

I am a currently a first year vet student at Cornell and also a saltwater hobbyist, with three tanks up here with me. Recently I, along with other interested students at Cornell, have been discussing the possibility of starting a preventative medicine program at Cornell for aquarium fish. This would largely center around the existence of quarantine tanks at the College that people could either place their fish in after purchasing them for 4-6 weeks or send their fish to if they became ill. Vet students would then care for these fish, test water parameters, etc.

Administrators are very interested in starting this program, but wanted to get input from those in the hobby about whether they believe people would utilize this service. Therefore, that is what I am asking: do you think people would use this?

Thanks for the input!

 

[leelum9]

i think it would be a nice idea, i know it would be a drive for me from corning but if i had something really odd going on it would be nice to know that there is such a setup and i feel its always better during problems to have more than two eyes looking..i would utilize it when needed

 

[St.james of reefdom]

quarantine

quarantine

Hi and welcome to Southern tier reef board

I like this idea,primarily because it facilitates a relationship between hobbyists and Science. However, I do not believe you would see many hobbyists take advantage of this. I say this because reef hobbyists that quarantine are setup at home all ready.
Another issue the time lag between livestock purchase by the hobbyist and how it's getting it into your system, plus this adds another expense to the purchase of the fish /livestock (mileage ,time,and gas) .

Just my first thoughts off the top of my head...

St. james of reefdom

 

[foundnemo11]

I wouldn't use it hinestyl .. Unless you guys bought the fish then quarantined them then sold them. But after I guy a fish then drive way out there to drop if off for weeks doesn't sound fun.

 

[Lowefx]

Great idea. What if you just took water samples from thousands of tanks and compared them to others, with ill fish and healthy fish? Maybe local business could help you as well, especially if someone just donates a sick fish to the local store, then they pass it to you until it gets healthy.

 

[laxing22]

Maybe if they were all truly separated... otherwise they risk getting new infections from a whole new group. Are you really going to be able to assure the fish is in brand new water. Single tank? No multi-tank systems? Otherwise I am just exposing a fish to more harm. Now, if you guys really want to have a tank that does temp housing, I would think that would be great for the students here when on winter / summer break.
I kind of wonder how many Ithacans have salt tanks anyhow. With the income divide of this town (and 0 fish stores), I'm willing to bet there are more tanks here that are run by others than the owner.