Skip QT for Clowns?

DrBoxedWine

DrBoxedWine

New member
So i've got my 20g QT fully cycled, and i took a couple rocks out from that to put in the DT (before i added fish to the QT) to get that cycle going faster. It's going WAY faster. Nitrites are already off the chart, 2 days after i started it. I'm wondering what people think about adding a couple of clowns directly to the DT when that cycle completes. They're tank raised, and the guy at the LFS was telling me that none of them have ever been exposed to the possibility of ich or other illnesses. However, that's probably tough for him to really say, having multiple employees, and the possibility of cross contamination. It's a reputable store and the cleanest in town, so i trust him (the owner) as much as you can trust someone in this situation.

Is this a bad idea?
 
presonally, i would not do that. but there're plenty of people who do not quarantine. so it depends on you if you wanna try your luck. for me, i learned my lesson the hard way. so i always quarantine even though i'm not a very patient person. fallowing the display tank for 3 months while treating fish with hypo, then cupramine was really a pain.
 
For the first two fish it may be worth the risk. While I would not trust that the fish were never exposed to ich (and there are plenty of other diseases to worry about), if they were sick you would just remove the fish from the DT and treat the fish in a separate tank and leave the DT fallow for the 9 weeks while the fish are being treated. Once you do have fish in the DT, quarantine all new fish for sure
 
It is a good idea to start the process the way you are going to finish it. So if you have a qt set up you should do it. Hopefully your tank is diease free now so it is best to keep it that way
 
Thanks everyone. Would running the display tank with hyposalinity for the first month with the clowns do anything? There wouldn't be anything else in the tank...

I'm not rulling out QTing them, just exploring my options. The learning that's involved with this hobby is a blast.
 
Since you have the QT, I'd use it. About the only fish I'd consider not running through QT would be a Mandarin or Leopard Wrasses (and even then it would depend a bit on the source of the fish). FWIW, assurances like that from the LFS, even if it is one you trust, are really comical.
 
All it takes is one net being used in the other store tanks to be used in that clown tank and they have been exposed. Personally I would just add them to the display and start to qt your next addition, but I am a gambler and it is not good advice. I'm on my third tank and left this one empty of fish for 6 months before I added any. In my case if my dt got an illness or parasite I could have left it fallow for 12 weeks and not been too disappointed because it wasn't my first rodeo.
 
I've had to tear down my tank twice to catch the fish and the first time I left it fallow for 8 weeks but it was NOT long enough so everyone got exposed a second time. Now I'm leaving it fallow for the recommended 72 days...this is NOT fun. Keeping all of my fish in a 25 gallon QT for 72 days (including 12 days of TTM) is a major hassle and I, for one, never want to do it again! I lost several fish during this "learning experience" and I don't think it's worth it. Quarantine period.
 
part 2 of this is, if your clowns carry ich in to your DT and never show it, your next few fish could contract it from the exposure to the DT - even if they've gone through QT. Then it was just a pointless QT.

QT protects your future fish too.
 
Last edited:
As above, plus there are other reasons to QT. You can get the fish used to your parameters and get them fat and sassy before putting them in the harder to control environment of the big tank.
 
Don't QT and actively treat for ich and internals if you want to watch all your hard work and time go down the drain with a new fish you add in the future or currently have. "Drop and prey" or "QT and be sure"
 
Also consider what you may want to house later on. Some fish are very susceptible to ich and while current fish may not show signs of it, it can still be there. I vote QT
 
No, everything that is wet needs QT. Take it slow and do it right the first time. You may never know the headaches you never had to have.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

G
Back after 20 years - cycling advice
Replies
4
Views
173
Guygettnby
Guygettnby
skipper03
first saltwater aquarium, weird 15g setup, many questions
4 5 6
Replies
110
Views
1K
griss
griss
J
Bare Bottom QT tank won't start cycle :(
Replies
13
Views
2K
Dr. Reef
Dr. Reef
Ab129
Replacing a clown
Replies
11
Views
525
Uncle99
Uncle99
S
Tank Update & Tentative Stocking Plan
Replies
2
Views
146
griss
griss
Back
Top