Substrate in quarantine tank

[mangelo]

Ive set up a 55 gal quarantine tank with no substrate. My question is if I ever have to add Melafix, Pimafix, or Metro does it remain in the sand? After a fish were to heal I thought I would just run carbon with a partial water change.

I know that I shouldn't use live sand since a lot of the medications kill off the bacteria. Is there any benefit to adding a substrate? I would just think that the fish would prefer it to a clear glass bottom.

 

[mm949]

better off w/o it...

 

[dzfish17]

I have a very thin layer (1/2") of sand in my QT because I think its looks better... I also have a couple pieces of rock in there too. It doesnt really matter because that stuff will stay in the QT tank.

 

[Reefmedic79]

Some substrates I believe, can absorb medication effectively causing an improper and possibly ineffective dosage.

 

[Dr. Reef]

QT's are left better bare, this is a sticky on the new to hobby forum that discuss QT in detail.

 

[downbeach]

My QT is bare bottom with some PVC pipe fittings for the fish to hide in. I keep it that way because if I need a hospital tank, it's ready to go. Its not a good idea to have a substrate and/or rocks if you have to medicate.

 

[mangelo]

Thanks for the info!

 

[00Warpig00]

Your QT/HT tanks are 0% to do with looks and 100% to do with observing/treating fish. Your display tank is there to look nice(r) and hopefully has 0% to do with treating your fish.

Nick

 

[dzfish17]

Ive treated my QT tank with cupramine twice and it was very easy to keep the proper dosage even with the thin layer of substrate. I do think a QT tank should look nice if its in your living room and is set up all the time. The substrate and rock does not affect proper treatment. It may absorb some of the copper but I use cuprasorb and carbon to remove the copper after treatment. Im not suggesting this for everyone but it works great for me.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Melafix and Primafix should just stay in the bottle. I don't think they do anything; certainly not all the stuff they claim.

 

[ReefCare4U]

my qt is bare bottom with some pvc pipe fittings for the fish to hide in. I keep it that way because if i need a hospital tank, it's ready to go. Its not a good idea to have a substrate and/or rocks if you have to medicate.

+1