Do I need to quarantine a Cleaner Shrimp?

tirtza

tirtza

Member
I'd like to add a Skunk 'cleaner' shrimp, but before I purchase it should I plan on quarantining it? Do all inverts need to be QT'd?
I've seen the same cleaner shrimp (all alone) in my LFS for at least a month now. The only reason I haven't purchased it yet is because I've been stuborn about the price. They are selling it for $39.99 and I know that on sights like SWF.com they sell for around $20. However......if I purchased one online it'll still probably cost as much as the one at the LFS when I add the cost of shipping. So I figured that I might as well suck it up and purchase the over priced shrimp from my LFS.
So far my LFS has been a very trustworthy place to purchase everything fish,crabs,snails,and my two peppermint shrimp. I never QT'd any of these but after reading one scary post after another I've finally relented and decided I simply don't want to take a chance.
Also, I still need to get the materials necessary to set up a QT...could you please tell me if my list is complete - Thanks!
1. 10 Gallon tank w/hood
2. Heater
3. powerhead
4. something for the fish to hide in
5.I've heard of some people using a 'sponge' that's been in a DT, will this work as a filter? Exactly what type of sponge are people talking about?
I'd like the QT to be something I can set up when needed and then take down when not in use. This is possible right?
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Is it necessary? No. Is it possible for it to carry a parasite on it's body from one tank to another? Yes, but unlikely.
The key with quarantining inverts is they should be done in a separate tank from one that quarantines fish, especially if any medications are ever used.
Drip acclimation is usually enough for things like shrimp.
 
kiefers

kiefers

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by tirtza http:///t/388789/do-i-need-to-quarantine-a-cleaner-shrimp#post_3430924
I'd like to add a Skunk 'cleaner' shrimp, but before I purchase it should I plan on quarantining it? Do all inverts need to be QT'd?
I've seen the same cleaner shrimp (all alone) in my LFS for at least a month now. The only reason I haven't purchased it yet is because I've been stuborn about the price. They are selling it for $39.99 and I know that on sights like SWF.com they sell for around $20. However......if I purchased one online it'll still probably cost as much as the one at the LFS when I add the cost of shipping. So I figured that I might as well suck it up and purchase the over priced shrimp from my LFS.
So far my LFS has been a very trustworthy place to purchase everything fish,crabs,snails,and my two peppermint shrimp. I never QT'd any of these but after reading one scary post after another I've finally relented and decided I simply don't want to take a chance.
Also, I still need to get the materials necessary to set up a QT...could you please tell me if my list is complete - Thanks!
1. 10 Gallon tank w/hood
2. Heater
3. powerhead
4. something for the fish to hide in
5.I've heard of some people using a 'sponge' that's been in a DT, will this work as a filter? Exactly what type of sponge are people talking about?
I'd like the QT to be something I can set up when needed and then take down when not in use. This is possible right?
Your QT sounds good thus far. A hang on the back filter will be fine with the power head some what pointing to it from the other side to make sure debrite get caught up in it. As for hiding, you can use dry rock rinsed well or big colorful coffee cups.
For example, I have a 20 gallon with the HOB filter and a powerhead on the oppisite end of the tank. A few pieces of dry rock and some L/R from my cube to help with the cycle. The regular stock light would serve the purpose fine.
I bought a Solar wrasse for me and a Pearly Jawfish for the Daughter today. We added them to the QT together and in 5-6 weeks we will remove them and put into our separate tanks. Hers in a cube like mine and yours and mine the 56.
Now, here is the tricky thing Terri, if by chance you go out on a date night with your honey and you happen to stop by your local fish guys place and see ths critter you just can't live without and put him in your QT, you have to start the countdown all over again!! So be ready.
During this process, keep a close eye on your new purchase for koodies like ick and HLLE. Test water every other day until it's WNL.
 
S

saxman

Guest
FWIW, HLLE isn't caused by a pathogen, so no cooties are involved...
 
tirtza

tirtza

Member
Will the QT you described be able to be set up when in use and then taken apart when not in use?
How do I clean everything in between guests staying in QT? (If one guest fish has something nasty, I'd hate to transfer it to any future guests)
What's WNL stand for?
Even though I'm still months and months away from getting corals, I like to plan ahead and I'm wondering if this QT would be sufficient for corals as well, or would I need something different with strong lighting?
Can a QT also serve as a hospital tank...(.of course only when it's currently not being used as a QT :)
Thanks for your help!
 
michaeltx

michaeltx

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by tirtza http:///t/388789/do-i-need-to-quarantine-a-cleaner-shrimp#post_3431422
Will the QT you described be able to be set up when in use and then taken apart when not in use? ( if you have the room you can keep it going as long as you plan new purchases so that its ready to go when you find something you want to get. more details in the next Q LOL )
How do I clean everything in between guests staying in QT? (If one guest fish has something nasty, I'd hate to transfer it to any future guests) ( If there is a problem and you treat it such as ICH then the treatment cycle will kill off the entire ICH cycle If there is something more detrimental and harder to get rid off then a complete tear down and reset may be in order but since there is no gravel or rock in the QT tank its not like resetting a new tank. I usually keep an extra filter pad or sponge in the sump to reseed the QT if I have to break it down for some reason)
What's WNL stand for? ( have no clue thats a new one on me LOL )
Even though I'm still months and months away from getting corals, I like to plan ahead and I'm wondering if this QT would be sufficient for corals as well, or would I need something different with strong lighting? ( usually corals do not get QT they make a coral dip for most corals that will get rid of anything that might be on them. They are not carriers of ich and other fish pathogens)
Can a QT also serve as a hospital tank...(.of course only when it's currently not being used as a QT :) ( yes they are used for the same purpose you QT them and if there is something that you need to treat you can treat the QT with out exposing the main tank to it.)
Thanks for your help!
JMO Mike
 
kiefers

kiefers

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by tirtza http:///t/388789/do-i-need-to-quarantine-a-cleaner-shrimp#post_3431422
Will the QT you described be able to be set up when in use and then taken apart when not in use?
How do I clean everything in between guests staying in QT? (If one guest fish has something nasty, I'd hate to transfer it to any future guests)
What's WNL stand for?
Even though I'm still months and months away from getting corals, I like to plan ahead and I'm wondering if this QT would be sufficient for corals as well, or would I need something different with strong lighting?
Can a QT also serve as a hospital tank...(.of course only when it's currently not being used as a QT :)
Thanks for your help!
WNL= within normal limits
A QT or also known as a hospital tank, (in my opinion) should only house one or the other. Either coral or fish. We have a 20 gallon for fish and the cube for corals. As far as cleaning it, a good size water change and filter media change would be good enough, I would suggest if you are unfortunate to have ick that gets bought in on a fish, you have a couple of options to treat that would depend on the type of treatment used of coarse.
 
tirtza

tirtza

Member
I definitely don't have the room to keep a QT going, (unless something happens to my current fish....fingers crossed that nothing happens!). So I really only want to add one or maybe two at the very most. It's a really small tank (only 30 gallons) and I already have 4 fish (2 clowns, a LMB, & a Fire Fish).
I'll keep an extra sponge in the sump, does it matter what kind?
Do I also use aquarium water from my DT when I set up the QT or a hospital tank?
 
michaeltx

michaeltx

Moderator
I would use a WC water to set it up just because its already mix and at the tank parameters.
The sponge really does not matter as long as its made for the aquarium use. They sell really cheap filter sponges that work great for this.
Is this a reef tank or a Fish Only tank?
Mike
 
tirtza

tirtza

Member
Lol....I'm such a newbie...for a second I thought I had a sump, and then realized that a BioCube doesn't come with a sump...duh!
Right now it's a fish only tank...but I just found out that I can finally add corals! Yeah! It might be a bit before I add some corals, I'll add them little by little and I want to make sure I research exactly what type I want. I also need to update my lighting. First and foremost, I also have A LOT to learn about keeping corals.
I'll use a sponge filter and keep the sponge part in one of the chambers in the wet/dry system in the back of the BioCube. That way I can bring it over to the QT when needed and give it a good cleaning during each water change of the DT.
 
kiefers

kiefers

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by tirtza http:///t/388789/do-i-need-to-quarantine-a-cleaner-shrimp#post_3431461
Lol....I'm such a newbie...for a second I thought I had a sump, and then realized that a BioCube doesn't come with a sump...duh!
Right now it's a fish only tank...but I just found out that I can finally add corals! Yeah! It might be a bit before I add some corals, I'll add them little by little and I want to make sure I research exactly what type I want. I also need to update my lighting. First and foremost, I also have A LOT to learn about keeping corals.
I'll use a sponge filter and keep the sponge part in one of the chambers in the wet/dry system in the back of the BioCube. That way I can bring it over to the QT when needed and give it a good cleaning during each water change of the DT.
Quote:
Originally Posted by saxman http:///t/388789/do-i-need-to-quarantine-a-cleaner-shrimp#post_3431302
FWIW, HLLE isn't caused by a pathogen, so no cooties are involved...
It may sound corny but ultimately -- The only thing you want to add to the marine system is the fish (as opposed to the fish PLUS parasites, pathogens, and disease).
 
travelerjp98

travelerjp98

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by tirtza http:///t/388789/do-i-need-to-quarantine-a-cleaner-shrimp#post_3431461
Lol....I'm such a newbie...for a second I thought I had a sump, and then realized that a BioCube doesn't come with a sump...duh!
Right now it's a fish only tank...but I just found out that I can finally add corals! Yeah! It might be a bit before I add some corals, I'll add them little by little and I want to make sure I research exactly what type I want. I also need to update my lighting. First and foremost, I also have A LOT to learn about keeping corals.
I'll use a sponge filter and keep the sponge part in one of the chambers in the wet/dry system in the back of the BioCube. That way I can bring it over to the QT when needed and give it a good cleaning during each water change of the DT.
Good job...
 
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