Quarantine Tank

[BriGuyRN]

So Quarantine Tanks:
How important are they really? Fish only system here for me, really good filtration. Was thinking about setting up a 10 gallon tank for quarantine purposes but before I go through the process I wanted to get feedback from the members here. Is is truly really completely necessary?

 

[cloak]

Completely necessary, no, but definitely a great practice to get into. When your fish start dropping like flies because they're sick you'll be kicking yourself in the a$$ for not using a QT tank. GL.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-10/sp/feature/index.php

 

[gone fishin]

As Cloak pointed out not necessary but, I highly suggest it.

I would rather lose one fish in a QT than my whole DT. Good luck on whatever choice you make.

 

[BriGuyRN]

Great, I will set up a 10 gallon. Two more questions:
1. When you buy a fish and put it in your Q tank, do you treat the fish with anything before putting it in your main tank? I have read about copper sulfate treatments, but not sure how to go about that.

2. How do you know you have a sick fish? What would I need to watch for in my main tank that would signal me to transfer the fish to a Q tank?

 

[gone fishin]

My QT protocol on new fish consist of Tank Transfer Method(TTM) for ich followed by 4-5 weeks in the main QT for observation. At some point during the QT I will do 2 rounds of prazipro for flukes and internals.


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2507836


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2389659

The first link is about TTM and the second link has a diagnosis section among other useful info.

 

[Reef noob_]

medication is not necessary and many people ( me included ) do not medicate, just watch out for odd behavior or spots.

 

[stingeragent]

TTM at a minimum is the best way to go. If you do that properly you have at least a 99% chance of not introducing ich. As for treating what isn't visible is a mixed bag. I've seen threads where folks treated for something even though fish had no symptoms and the fish died. Also seen it go the other way.

 

[ca1ore]

I have a far better and stable fish population since I started using a QT. Cost a lot less to assemble as well.

 

[kmbyrnes]

Until it happens to you, you will not understand the true value of QT.
Once you do, you will wonder why you didn't listen in the first place.
I have about $150 tied up in 2 sets of TTM tanks ( 10 and 20 gallons ) and a 40B QT tank. That's less than cost of the purple tang I lost.