Starting a QT Tank

[trebor126]

With the advice of everyone on this site, I went and bought a Q tank.
As stated in an earlier post, I started cycling my tank with damsels and LR on the advice from my LFS.
Now my damsels have Ick. What is the next step? I bought a 20gal. tank, w/ hood, light, heater, and power filter.
Should I fill the tank w/ saltwater at a SG of 1.024, put the fish in, then start to slowly reduce the SG to 1.09?
Please help, for I do not want the fish to suffer anymore then they have.
Thank you

 

[beth]

I'm glad you decided to try and save the damsels. And, even if they are not saved, it is an excellent policy to have a backup tank for emergencies.
What is the quality of the water in your existing tank? I'd like to know the answer to that before suggesting what to do. Ammonia and Nitrite levels?

 

[trebor126]

Hi Beth,
Here are the water conditions of my main tank:
pH = 8.2
Temp = 76f
SG = 1.022
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = .25
Nitrate = 3
Thanks for the Help

 

[trebor126]

Can anyone help me?? I guess I will just add the damsels to the new Q tank and hope for the best..

 

[beth]

Yes, with that nitrite level in the main tank, it is best to place the damsels in the hospital tank using new salt water. Now, keep in mind that with a new tank setup you are going to have a new cycle to deal with, thus you will have to be diligent about maintaining water quality. Be sure to do daily water changes [1-2 gals] and vacuum up the bottom of the tank to avoid decaying organic buildup and pollution.
How are you setting up your QT?
Let the fish settle into the hospital tank and once their stress levels are lower [after the acclimation] then you can begin the hyposalinity. Over the course of 48 hours lower the specific gravity [salinity] in the hospital tank in small increments that is not stressful to fish until you reach 1.009. Actually, in this case, since you will need to do frequent water changes to keep this tank from going into a cycle, you may just want to do the water changes as part of the process of lowing the salinity. Meaning: remove salt water in the tank, and replace it with fresh water.
Maintain the tank in a hypo saline condition for 1 month after all signs of ick have disappeared from your fish. Then, if all is well, you can slowly begin raising the salinity in your tank to normal levels [say over the course of 5 days]. Leave the fish in the hospital tank for another wk, at the end of which they can be returned to your main tank [as long as the main tank has completed its cycle]. You may want to return just one at a time so that you do not over tax the new tank.

 

[trebor126]

Thanks Beth,
I have set up the tank empty with no substrate and have painted the bottom and back outer walls black. I placed a piece of decor I was not using, a fake table top coral, that takes up most of the tank bottom, for the fish to hide if needed.
I have the temp turned upto 77f and took the pH reading. It is holding at 8.2. The SG is at 1.022.
The filter is a simple overflow filter that I have placed a bag of activated charcoal wrapped in filter cloth to trap any big debris.
The tank I bought was originally intended for freshwater, since the light hood houses 2 incandescent bulbs. Is this ok? I have read that the lights should be off anyways to reduce stress.
I will introduce the fish to the hospital tank tonight.
My main tank will take care of its selft, since there will be no fish in it correct?
Thank you again for all the help..

 

[trebor126]

Well it was hard to do, but I finally caught my Damsiels and put them in the hospital tank. They don't look too happy... I will wait until morning to start the hypo treatment...