yannifish
Active Member
I have a few questions concerning quarantine tanks.
I've always used a quarantine tank, but have never had much success getting a fish through the quarantine process.
So, the first step I'm considering taking to improve success is using a larger quarantine tank. I've always used a 10 gallon, but am considering getting a 20 gallon, especially since my clownfish are living in my qt right now (my dt isn't currently set up). Will the larger tank help?
Also, what is the best way to establish bio-filtration in a qt? Obviously you can keep some filter media in your sump, but that hasn't really worked for me. Since my clownfish are living in my qt right now I have an established bacteria population, but I don't want to leave the tank set up between uses. I was looking at a couple products, both made by API, called Quick Start and Ammo-Lock. Do these products work? Ammo-Lock neutralizes ammonia, and Quick Start jump starts the cycling process. Would these products used together (Quick Start to provide bacteria to start the cycle and Ammo-Lock to control ammonia levels initially) work to maintain water quality in a newly established qt?
As far as preventing disease transfer to the dt goes, I've always gone with observe the fish to see if a disease or parasite shows up, and if it does treat it. This method hasn't worked very well for me. Firstly, by the time a disease or parasite shows itself the fish is stressed enough that the added stress of treatment seems reduces chances of survival. Also, it is my understanding that if a fish is healthy enough a parasite, such as ick, can be fought off without any visible indications of the parasite's presence. As a result, the parasite could still be transferred to the dt despite the qt process. So, I want to go to a method where every fish quarantined immediately undergoes a treatment. In the past I haven't had good luck with hyposalinity, losing a flame angelfish. However, after doing more research I found out that often flame angels don't do well with hypo, so I'm not against trying hypo again. However, I also want to consider other options. I know copper treatments exist, but know nothing about their effectiveness or ease of use. So, I need some suggestions about a treatment for quarantined fish.
So, please give your input and quarantining experience and methods. I would greatly appreciate it.
I've always used a quarantine tank, but have never had much success getting a fish through the quarantine process.
So, the first step I'm considering taking to improve success is using a larger quarantine tank. I've always used a 10 gallon, but am considering getting a 20 gallon, especially since my clownfish are living in my qt right now (my dt isn't currently set up). Will the larger tank help?
Also, what is the best way to establish bio-filtration in a qt? Obviously you can keep some filter media in your sump, but that hasn't really worked for me. Since my clownfish are living in my qt right now I have an established bacteria population, but I don't want to leave the tank set up between uses. I was looking at a couple products, both made by API, called Quick Start and Ammo-Lock. Do these products work? Ammo-Lock neutralizes ammonia, and Quick Start jump starts the cycling process. Would these products used together (Quick Start to provide bacteria to start the cycle and Ammo-Lock to control ammonia levels initially) work to maintain water quality in a newly established qt?
As far as preventing disease transfer to the dt goes, I've always gone with observe the fish to see if a disease or parasite shows up, and if it does treat it. This method hasn't worked very well for me. Firstly, by the time a disease or parasite shows itself the fish is stressed enough that the added stress of treatment seems reduces chances of survival. Also, it is my understanding that if a fish is healthy enough a parasite, such as ick, can be fought off without any visible indications of the parasite's presence. As a result, the parasite could still be transferred to the dt despite the qt process. So, I want to go to a method where every fish quarantined immediately undergoes a treatment. In the past I haven't had good luck with hyposalinity, losing a flame angelfish. However, after doing more research I found out that often flame angels don't do well with hypo, so I'm not against trying hypo again. However, I also want to consider other options. I know copper treatments exist, but know nothing about their effectiveness or ease of use. So, I need some suggestions about a treatment for quarantined fish.
So, please give your input and quarantining experience and methods. I would greatly appreciate it.
