Tank transfer method for QT - walk me through it

[LobsterOfJustice]

I am probably going to start using this method on all fish (and possibly inverts) in QT. If you use this process, walk me through how you execute it. I'm not asking for "switch tanks every three days" - I'm talking about details like how to effectively transfer the fish without contaminating the next tank, how to disinfect between transfers, etc. I'm thinking of having two tank setups, and while one is running with the fish, the other is disinfecting with tap water and maybe a dash of bleach. How do you deal with ammonia with no established biofilter? Or is 100% water change every third day be enough to not worry about it?

 

[inwha]

I am probably going to start using this method on all fish (and possibly inverts) in QT. If you use this process, walk me through how you execute it. I'm not asking for "switch tanks every three days" - I'm talking about details like how to effectively transfer the fish without contaminating the next tank, how to disinfect between transfers, etc. I'm thinking of having two tank setups, and while one is running with the fish, the other is disinfecting with tap water and maybe a dash of bleach. How do you deal with ammonia with no established biofilter? Or is 100% water change every third day be enough to not worry about it?

I can speak to the ammonia piece, im currently in the process of a QT with a new fish. He has currently been in QT for three days and my ammonia is still at 0 ppm. On day 1 i dosed amquel and today i dosed amquel. This will essentially eliminate 2 ppm of ammonia per dose. And can be done every 24 hours.

I will also be doing a water change once per week of about 50%.

I gathered this info from a lot of research and forum advice on QT procedures.

When i move from my QT to my main tank im planning a drip acclimate much like i would do bringing home a new fish from the store.

 

[L8ndeb]

I am probably going to start using this method on all fish (and possibly inverts) in QT. If you use this process, walk me through how you execute it. I'm not asking for "switch tanks every three days" - I'm talking about details like how to effectively transfer the fish without contaminating the next tank, how to disinfect between transfers, etc. I'm thinking of having two tank setups, and while one is running with the fish, the other is disinfecting with tap water and maybe a dash of bleach. How do you deal with ammonia with no established biofilter? Or is 100% water change every third day be enough to not worry about it?

All you need to know:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1996525

 

[balto777]

I have got the following:
2- 10g tanks
2- thermometers
2- heaters
2- nano powerheads
10 - various pvc pieces
1 - air pump
lots of airstones, air tubing

I only put about 7g of water in the 10g tank. Set it all up (heater, thermometer, airstone, pvc, powerhead) and put the fish in. I used to use an ammonia alert, but have never had ammonia show up in 3 days. Just to be careful, I usually put prim in sometime during day 2.

On day 2, I set up my other aquarium to let it age for a couple of days before the transfer.

On the morning of day 4, I transfer the fish. I do this by lowering the water level to a couple of inches, then I catch the fish in tupperware. Take the top, and put it on loosly and drain all of the water out. Then I drop the fish into the next tank - at most a couple of drips of water follow.

I start the decontamination process immediately. I use a spray bottle with a 15% solution of bleach in it. I spray everything with a thick coat of it - inside and out. This includes the tank, the powerheads taken apart, the tupperware - everything. The air hose and airstone are thrown away and replaced each time. I let the bleach sit for about an hour and then rinse really good with tap water. I then fill up the tank with tap water throw everything into it and add about a cup of vinegar. I also assemble the powerheads and turn them on during this part. Let that run for about 2 hours, and then rinse everything and dry them out.

On the "second" day 2 I assemble the tank again and age the water . . .

That is how I do it.