Do not stock too quickly

[sly]

Back in 2003 I brought back 6 new fish from Hawaii. They were really cheap at the LFS there and I couldn't pass up bringing them back on the plane with me in my cooler... Unfortunately within a month I had 6 fish die for no reason that I can pinpoint other than simple overstocking and stress. My parameters never changed... but something did. I lost every one of them.
Only stock a few fish at a time. Let your system adapt for a month or so before you try to add some more. Add too much too quickly and you will have dead fish. (or was it the rock I took back from the island)? http://www.snopes.com/luck/pele.asp

 

[coral keeper]

+1 on don't stock too quickly.

 

[sepulatian]

Excellent advice!

 

[grubsnaek]

always a common problem

 

[fishy4991]

so if I have one just placed in the DT, can I buy one that month to put in my QT? I don't have a tank yet but I will in a couple of months

 

[anonome]

Originally Posted by Fishy4991
http:///forum/post/2615788
so if I have one just placed in the DT, can I buy one that month to put in my QT? I don't have a tank yet but I will in a couple of months
Yes, the normal quarantine period is at least 21 days, (for previously quarantined fish) but, 28-30 days is normal for fish that were just received from the lfs or on line. This also gives the DT time to adjust for the one that was placed in it a month ago. Most lfs do not quarantine their fish, so 30 days is normal. Important, 30 days of disease free.
Of course, this is assuming that no disease was present in the qt when the first fish was quarantined. You may have to clean out the tank and get the perameters just right before the new fish is added.
Of course the size of the qt to the size of the fish is just as important.

 

[sepulatian]

The quarantine period is a nice lapse in time for the DT to get used to the fish that you just put in. Three weeks is the MINIMUM for QT. Be aware of that.