quarantining methods

[vince]

I've read from a book that all new fish should be put in quarantine tank and be treated with copper-based medicine.
Is this true? what do you guys do to quarantine your fish?

 

[nm reef]

I do quarentine all new fish additions for a minimum of 3 weeks....more if any signs of disease.....but I do not dose meds .........my understanding is that they are not needed unless there is sign of a problem then use only whats is needed to cure the problem............personally I don't see why copper would be used if its not needed..........so far I've been lucky I guess.....all my q'ed fish have been free of problems....and transfer to display tanks have been without incident......I use a 29 gal tank to keep 'em in until they are ready to take up residence in their new home

 

[corky]

I too have a 29 gal. tank for quarantine/hospital purposes. It is home to a couple of clowns and a damsel. I don't use copper but do have the different meds. if needed. So far I've been pretty fortunate.

 

[beth]

Most reputable fish stores have already done some parasitic treatments on their fish before you even get it [usually formalin]. Copper is a toxic substance to fish as well as parasites, and shouldn't be used unless you have a sick fish.
The QT is establish the health of your new fish before it goes into the tank. While in QT, you will know whether you need to treat for diseases or not.

 

[guppie]

There has always been the old agrument about treating with copper, IMO I never treat unless I need to. If you leave a fish in a Q-tank for three weeks you should be able to see if he has anything to treat. Good Luck

 

[vince]

I have 2 LFS near me and this is the funny thing.
one store is EXTREMLY cheaper than any other fishstores i mean almost up to 50 %. But the thing is, when you look at the tanks, most of them haev ICH or some of them are half dying lying at the side. But sometimes, there are healthy ones.
On the other hand, the other LFS sell saltwater fish very expensively, like all other fishstores but all their fish quality is excellent.
Now I'm always running low on cash so I'm thinking of getting my fish from the cheap store...

 

[amphiprion]

If you are going to get your fish from the store where the fish don't look healthy, than all the more reason to quarantine them first before you put them in your main tank.
I would only treat them if there is sign of disease.

 

[vince]

thank you for all your wonderful replies !