Do You, or Don't You QT?

[jumpfrog]

Tried it, didn't like it, won't do it again. I'm of the same philosophy as Sammy. Healthy tank and healthy additions. My LFS guy won't sell a fish he hasn't for at least 2 weeks. Doesn't use copper and most fish are in tanks with inverts and corals. I figure if they've been healthy with him and my tank is healthy and I acclimate the fish slowly they will be fine.
I tried it one time and the fish were so stressed from the confines of the qt tank they succumed to ich.
My .02

 

[beth]

Good for you NM Reef! However, it looks like our very own veteran Shark, sammystingray, will be given some mentoring in the Disease Forum. And, since he is a mod, he will also be given a one-of-kind lecture from TerryB [duration of lecture undetermined, but, from the looks of it, it may be a long time before he will back in the other forums!]
Steam, look at TangManMontréal’s thread in the Disease Forum. We are discussing QT, and the “how-to’s”. Please join in!
Soul says, “like unprotected sex”....LOL! I wish I’d thought of that analogy! You guys got that??! Think of the QT the same as you would a condom---a necessary evil.
QT-doers, lets go easy on non-QT-ers, else they won’t participate in our poll/discussion, and I’d really like them to participate.

 

[beth]

Ed, how many displays do you have going? Do you have a separate room for the QT's? Also, with the hypo tank, do you just intro new acquisitions to the hypo tank wo the usual day or 2 of acclimation?

 

[tang_man_montreal]

Beth,
I was just going to ask about his acclimation procedure as well..
I'm thinking maybe a drip process???

 

[wamp]

Anthem,
What about dropping PH in a tank and slowly bringing it back up to acclimate your fish, no, not in the main tank, in your QT tank.
I have seen massive systmes that use C02 to do this and they seem to swear by it, Your thoughts?
wes

 

[beth]

You can also drop an airstone into the ship bag and float the fish in tank---alternative to what Ed does--which will eliminate the necessity of a heater for the temperature acclimation bucket he uses.
No one is talking about netting, or alternatives. Personally I've been using the total dilute method followed by transfer from bag directly to tank water. Basically diluting the ship water with tank water, until their is nothing left in the ship bag except for the tank water, then release the fish wo ever using a net.
Also from QT to main tank, I catch the fish in tank with a net, but then scoot the specimen into a ziplock [wo removal from water]. zip him up and transfer to main tank.
Hey doesn't anyone have pics they can share of their QT's??? I'd love to see your setups, Ed. How about you NMreef? I know you can get pics up on the web.
Sammy, I hope Terry joins this discussion....what a lecture you're going to get! jk [What happened to the evil horn smily?? ]

 

[beth]

golfish, no one can argue with your skill at keeping aquaria. One look at your tank, says it all. But I would like to know what were your former QT methods, if you don't mind sharing that info; and how long ago?
Also, since you say you have an eye for getting healthy fish, then give us some pointers.
What are your fish loss rates? Have you ever intro-ed fish disease to your tank? What would you do if a disease entered that beautiful reef tank of yours? I'm not trying to goat you, I'd really like to hear everyone's view. Learning process, ya know.

 

[wamp]

Anthem,
I went to a fish wholeseller in Atlanta GA.. I think it was sunpets?
Anyway, Thats where I saw their PH setup and how it worked in their tanks. Very impressive if I may say so....
I like the theroy behind it and your explanation of it. I wonder though, could lowering the PH temporarily on a tank that has an ammonia spike during a cycle help the fish?
Sorry to post my questions in your poll beth..
Also, lowering PH and Salinity (hypo)in these tanks will help control outbreaks of ICH and other parasites, so... why not in your tank?
Or, do you keep your PH normal and your salinity low?
Does PH even have an affect on parasites. I read that it does but I am skeptical to this theroy.

 

[beth]

wamp, I was thinking along the same line with lowering pH during cycle, or even if an ammonia spike happens for whatever reason. It makes sense.
I don't know that lowering pH effects parasites. Contrarily, we usually recommend keeping pH up during hypo.

 

[beth]

And to add to that...I know a lot here do buy good books, very expensive, colorful, and costly books. The price of one moderately priced hobby book will cost the same as a QT. The price of a single coral would fund a QT.....The price of that 3rd latest and greatest skimmer you just had to have would fund a state-of-the-art QT. Food for thought.
Perhaps the die-hards aren't going to be convinced, but, I'm hoping that this thread has, at least, been fun and will benefit those new to the hobby to at least consider the QT just as they would their lighting, pumps, tank contents, etc.
As for me, I'll be setting up a new and improved QT shortly, and I'm looking forward to it!

 

[wamp]

These tend to be the same people that do not quarantine. Besides that, if those people just read enough good books they would be much less likely not to quarantine.
Hey!!!
I have been in this hobby a long time.. I have books!!! Lots of them!! Too many!
I chose not to quarintine because I belong to the "NOW" generation and do not wish to go against my fellow peps..
Actually, lack of space is what keeps me from doing it. This old broken down, catching on fire, no central heat and air, missing windows, spider infested, falling celling, drafty windows, lightbulb blowing house just has no more room (or outlets) for me to have another tank.
With the new setup, I will have 3.

 

[fshhub]

sorry it was late steamboat,
and preach to answer your q'
and cost is no excuse, my qt/hospital tank cost less than most of my fish, and no more than 2 of my less expensive, so one trip to the lfs wiht this intent instead of the intent for 2 more fish could save many more fishes, not just those 2 that were passed over once for us to do it cautiously
remember all it takes is one fish to ruin the whole lot for us, and improper treatment afterwards couold cost us alot of rock and sand and so much more

 

[sinner's girl]

can i ask a question? why no subtract in a qt? if i were to set one up i'd want to use what i already have which would be a ugf.
just wondering, i can't set up a qt anyway which means i don't get to get a fish. i'm told if i pull off a 3.5 in the fall then in the winter i can set up and get a qt (his reasons being i don't have the time, i'd play fish not study and being able to get a fish would give me a reason to study...it's his house and his tank so i'll let him get away with it for now..just wait till it's my house too...)
lol @ "Just think of it as having un-protected ---. You might slide by the first couple of times but eventually you WILL get burned.... " that and "May a gaint sponge eat you and your little dog too" (parapharsed since the thread is gone now) have got to be the funniest thing i've heard on here.

 

[broomer5]

I'm certainly one that lacks knowledge in the fish disease department. So far, I've not had a lot of experience with my fish getting sick.
I've bought all my current fish from the same source.
I've never bought a fish sight unseen online.
The lfs I frequent caters only to the saltwater hobby.
Small family run outfit - not very large store.
He runs a product called "Sano" throughout his entire fish holding systems, and he QT's new arrivals. I've seen his back room set up several times and it's quite impressive - but again - I'm no expert.
I don't fully understand what this Sano product is, but he claims it keeps his systems free of parasites and reduces stress.
Some "natural" product he claims, and swears by it.
Could be true - could be hype. I don't know for sure.
He also has some monster UV units installed.
I've never had a problem with the fish I purchased from him, but I also consider myself lucky so far.
I did lose two small false percs that I kept in a 15 gallon high tank when I first started in this hobby. I was pretty sure it was not ick. I think it was some type of clownfish disease. I bought these two fish from another source. The 15 high was not the greatest tank I ever set up either. It lacked in some of the basic filtration and water circulation requirements.
I figure I lost these 2 percs due to either buying from an unreliable source, my own ignorance with smaller tank care, me focusing my attention on my other running tanks and neglecting some of the maintenance of this smaller perc tank - or a combination of the above.
I read here a lot that certain species of marine fish are more susceptible to disease than other's. Again I don't know if this is true or not. I just see a lot of people calling certain species ick magnets and such.
So far, I have avoided these species until I know more about them.
Someday though, when I can afford the cost and have the room, I hope to have a very large FOWLR tank, and want to keep some of these more expensive beautiful but delicate fish.
At that time, I will QT them for sure.
No doubt about it.

 

[tiffbritty]

i don't qt because of money issue's i would have to buy the whole setup tank filter and stuff. but right know $$ are tight . i know its the right thing to do so when xtra money is avalible i wil have a qt tank.

 

[wrassecal]

My dog ate my books... really, but I still q

 

[beth]

Wrass: Look at the bright side...your dog will never eat your QT.
Sinner, the purpose of QT is to have a holding area for newly acquired fish where they can be observed for disease and health issues and treated in the QT if diseases are noted. It is not recommended to use substrate in a QT because the QT could, if diseases develop, become a hospital tank. For this reason, it is best to use a more sterile environment [no sand, crushed coral, bleached coral skeletons] because these things can and do absorb some fish medications, rendering treating the fish disease difficult. Additionally, if treatment becomes necessary and you do need to medicate, dosing a substrated QT will degrade the natural filtration that that substrate provides. It is best to go wo substrate, but, that could be a personal preference.

 

[wamp]

SANO!!! I have not heard that name in a long time..
Does anyone here use it? I know a LFS that swears by it. His tanks are awsome but is it the SANO?

 

[beth]

Ok, you got my attention with the Sano. Who manufacturers it and what are the ingredients? Broomer, can you find out?

 

[broomer5]

Here's what I could find online Beth
I do not either support, dispute or agree with the info contained in this link.
I'm unfamiliar with Sano - and just bringing it up for discussion.
In other words .... I'm CMA !
Sano