Ok, well my DT is getting rather stocked and growing out nicely.
I do plan to add some more SPS, but at this point certainly don't want to run risk of getting any bugs.
This is definitely something a lot more reefer
should be concerned about.
So what is the ideal way to QT.
I will setup a small 20-30g tank. Have an extra 250 w mh and heater. Also have a HOB for flow.
Sounds good. Just the basics, that is all you really need.
Ok, so set up QT tank. Anything in it? or just corals?
Nothing else is really needed.
I like to put some "sweet tasting" sacrificial frags next to any new corals. Particularly ones that red bugs show up really well on. Browned out acros are the best for spotting red bugs and even AEFW bite marks. Some monti plates to see if any monti eating nudibranchs show up on them.
I figure I will just do WC on my DT and use that water for the QT tank.
I do this as well. Works great. Although I will two part dose sometimes to keep parameters correct.
How long to QT, what do I add to be sure I am pest free.
I usually go 3 to 4 weeks. Whatever it is usually shows it ugly head within that time. I only go longer if something looks unusual for some reason or came from a questionable or infected source.
Do most dip corals and then just add back to QT for a week, dip again, back to QT, etc.....
Dip in bayer, rinse and then put in QT. Redip in Bayer 5-7 days later, rinse putt back in QT...Repeat for 6 weeks. Inspect corals along way.
I have found that that 9 out of 10 times your new corals are just fine and don't have any pests.
Why stress them halfway to death with all these dips and poisons if they are pest free? My new corals seem to be a lot healthier and adapt a lot better to their new home if I don't nuke them with something if I don't have to. Whatever you decide to use, to kill whatever pest, is unfortunately almost killing your coral as well.
That is the whole idea of QTing them. To find out
IF they have a pest.
IF they do,
THEN you nuke the hell out of them to try to rid them of whatever they have.
If you then kill the coral getting rid of the pest, Oh well. It is a lot better than infecting and killing off your DT.
But not sure on what definitly kills AEFW.
Neither is anyone else. Lol.
Just look at all the posts out there. They all swear that their "magic potion" is the best and then the next guy chimes in with "it didn't work for me"
What shrimp do you suggest for QT?
I don't.
If you interceptor your QT to get rid of your newly aquired red bugs your shrimp is usually toast. Any Bayer residue does this as well. So why waste the shrimp?
I have one on mine. I don't think it is essential but I think it helps. More oxygen in the water if nothing else.
U keeping any lr in the QT tank
I do have some in mine but not a lot of it. I think it provides some biological filtration. A HOB I feel would do the same thing. Just to make sure any die off of anything doesn't lead to an ammonia and/or nitrite spike in your water.
One more thing.
Go out and buy some cheap magnifying reading glasses. I don't care how good your eyesight is. They make everything look huge, makes pests a lot easier to spot.
Poor mans Mesoscope.
