New fish, QT?
- Thread starter wen tom
- Start date
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by wen tom http:///t/395752/new-fish-qt#post_3524201
Hi, want to start getting a couple fish on my own, is a temp. QT OK to start them? Or is that pretty stressful? Also wondered if I get some crabs and coral, do they need to go in as well? (water OK?) Thanks!
Hi,
As long as the QT water is cycled, it's good to go. In a pinch if you can't, or don't want to wait for the QT to cycle....You can do a small water change for the Display, and instead of discarding the old used water...fill the QT. Next step: Use a sponge or floss media that is full of brown yuck from the display, to put in a HOB filter on the QT. A piece of PVC pipe, or a resin decoration, to allow the fish a place to feel secure. Last step: I add an air line (no stone) and attach it with a rubberband on the pipe or decoration, instead of a power head to move the water surface....or .... use a nano size power head. Don't add any sand, but paint the bottom (on the outside) or have a dark towel under the tank.
(I use Caulerpa prolifera). Macroalgae will also help to keep the parameters perfect. The new fish love it to eat or hide in, it looks nice and absorbs ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates from the water.
Some people do quarantine coral and inverts. I personally only quarantined fish, because corals and inverts don't carry ich, and I never had any issues in the 13 years of keeping SW fish. HOWEVER...anything that has been in the water with contaminated fish could still carry ich to your display. It's a personal decision. Some folks quarantine everything, and as devastating as ich can be to a reef, I don't blame them a bit. I never quarantined coral because I didn't have extra lighting that they could live under...so straight to the display they went...LOL..and crossed my fingers., A dip however would make sure that nasty's such as flat worms were not present. Not all corals can be dipped so ask here before you do it.
I also keep new made SW on hand in case I have to do an emergency water change. I use the test strips for ammonia 2xs a day to double check and make sure I have no issues. With the method I detailed above I have never had any problems, but I was always ready just in case. Oh and unless the room is cold, I never used a heater.
Originally Posted by wen tom http:///t/395752/new-fish-qt#post_3524201
Hi, want to start getting a couple fish on my own, is a temp. QT OK to start them? Or is that pretty stressful? Also wondered if I get some crabs and coral, do they need to go in as well? (water OK?) Thanks!
Hi,
As long as the QT water is cycled, it's good to go. In a pinch if you can't, or don't want to wait for the QT to cycle....You can do a small water change for the Display, and instead of discarding the old used water...fill the QT. Next step: Use a sponge or floss media that is full of brown yuck from the display, to put in a HOB filter on the QT. A piece of PVC pipe, or a resin decoration, to allow the fish a place to feel secure. Last step: I add an air line (no stone) and attach it with a rubberband on the pipe or decoration, instead of a power head to move the water surface....or .... use a nano size power head. Don't add any sand, but paint the bottom (on the outside) or have a dark towel under the tank.
(I use Caulerpa prolifera). Macroalgae will also help to keep the parameters perfect. The new fish love it to eat or hide in, it looks nice and absorbs ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates from the water.
Some people do quarantine coral and inverts. I personally only quarantined fish, because corals and inverts don't carry ich, and I never had any issues in the 13 years of keeping SW fish. HOWEVER...anything that has been in the water with contaminated fish could still carry ich to your display. It's a personal decision. Some folks quarantine everything, and as devastating as ich can be to a reef, I don't blame them a bit. I never quarantined coral because I didn't have extra lighting that they could live under...so straight to the display they went...LOL..and crossed my fingers., A dip however would make sure that nasty's such as flat worms were not present. Not all corals can be dipped so ask here before you do it.
I also keep new made SW on hand in case I have to do an emergency water change. I use the test strips for ammonia 2xs a day to double check and make sure I have no issues. With the method I detailed above I have never had any problems, but I was always ready just in case. Oh and unless the room is cold, I never used a heater.
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by wen tom http:///t/395752/new-fish-qt#post_3524229
Wow! Awesome, thanks so much. (can I ask where you get your supplies, may be inappropriate considering the web site I'm on!) Apologies if so.
Hi,
It's the links they don't want posted. I used to worry about giving names, but they have their ads all over the place on the site, so I figure if they don't care, I need not worry. If I'm wrong somebody let me know, I don't want to break any rules either.
For fish, corals and live sand...right here on SWF.com ...For seahorses, Seahorse source and they can direct me to breeders as well. SWF now has some seahorses too. I very, very seldom purchase critters from the LFS, I think I got a cleaner shrimp once in the last 5 years. That 14 day guarantee SWF offers is worth it's weight in gold.
For equipment or supplements, I try the LFS first to see if they have what I want. I don't ask them for help, but I do check out their goods, I want them to stay in business. Then if they don't have what I'm looking for, I go on-line and look for what I want with the best price, (I run it by the folks here if I'm not sure of the brand). Foster and Smith, That fish place, Bulk Reef supply and Marine Depot are usually where I find some good prices on good equipment. Golf coast ecosystems is where I order macroalgae if I want it.
If you have corals, and want macros...you need a macro that is not invasive, and easy to control. Macros spread and cover coral, that's why I mentioned caulerpa prolifera, It grows on a runner, and is pretty easy to keep under control. The benefits of macroalgae is so awesome, but if you don't have a refugium you have to be careful....once it's in the tank, it's hard to eradicate completely.
I hope that helps.
Originally Posted by wen tom http:///t/395752/new-fish-qt#post_3524229
Wow! Awesome, thanks so much. (can I ask where you get your supplies, may be inappropriate considering the web site I'm on!) Apologies if so.
Hi,
It's the links they don't want posted. I used to worry about giving names, but they have their ads all over the place on the site, so I figure if they don't care, I need not worry. If I'm wrong somebody let me know, I don't want to break any rules either.
For fish, corals and live sand...right here on SWF.com ...For seahorses, Seahorse source and they can direct me to breeders as well. SWF now has some seahorses too. I very, very seldom purchase critters from the LFS, I think I got a cleaner shrimp once in the last 5 years. That 14 day guarantee SWF offers is worth it's weight in gold.
For equipment or supplements, I try the LFS first to see if they have what I want. I don't ask them for help, but I do check out their goods, I want them to stay in business. Then if they don't have what I'm looking for, I go on-line and look for what I want with the best price, (I run it by the folks here if I'm not sure of the brand). Foster and Smith, That fish place, Bulk Reef supply and Marine Depot are usually where I find some good prices on good equipment. Golf coast ecosystems is where I order macroalgae if I want it.
I hope that helps.