Fish QT is really not that complicated, but a complete game changer. I eventually refined my process to a 10 gallon AIO that sat dry until I needed it (and believe me, you will not need it much if you religiously QT fish, because you will stop buying fish). Key points:
- Copper Power. I like copper (over quinine products) because you can easily test to make sure you maintain a therapeutic concentration. In my experience, with careful acclimation, every kind of fish can easily make it through copper. And it's just 14 days once you hit therapeutic level. Don't overcomplicate it.
- Matrix media or sponge from your sump. The biggest killer in QT is ammonia, which can spike while you are asleep and wipe them. You need to import an established biofilter, more than you think. Just always have more in your sump than you need, put it in your QT as needed, and throw away when done. Also, water changes of the QT tank every few days.
- Oxygen depletion is second biggest killer. Especially if using prazipro (which I do, because it is easy). Put several powerheads in the QT, don't rely on the HOB or built in AIO circulation. You want that water moving, a LOT.
For me, anything other than the above is a nice to have, and probably overkill. Velvet will drive you from the hobby; eliminating that is the main goal here. Forewarning: if you like going to the LFS every month or so and buying new fish, know that you won't be doing that anymore after you implement the above. Fish don't die anymore. Like, you will go years without buying fish. Then you can focus on the truly hard part of the hobby: SPS!!!
