I have recently seen the light and embraced using quarantine processes. I wanted to see how other people were handling this.
My current setup (for fish) is this:
-10gal tank
-hood w/ cheap incandescents
-HOB filter that I stuff with seasoned filter material and carbon as needed
-heater
-pvc bits for fish shelter
-Maxijet 600 when I feel like the fish would like additional circulation
When I want to setup the quarantine tank, I just pull old filter material from my tank, rinse it, and use it in the HOB. I like to use Stability and Prime as prescribed on the bottle. I also like to use the little stick on ammmonia sensors. I do 50% temp/salinity/ph matched water changed every other day, or as indicated by the ammonia sensors, confirmed with a titration test.
I have settled on a 31 day quarantine process. All new fish get to spend a month in the QT tank, being fed, observed, etc. If disease is observed, they are treated, and the quarantine period is extended.
I realize that my QT tank is also a hospital tank. I see no need to set up two tanks - ich is so prevalent, i think that there is a greater than 50% likelyhood that any given fish will end up in the "hospital" anyway.
As a result of my QT process (10 gal tank), I have limited myself to only fish that can be reasonably quarantined for a month in a 10 gallon tank - only small species, or juveniles of larger species. I think I like this policy. It is very satisfying to watch healthy fish grow, and smaller fish are often cheaper!
I intend to establish a coral QT soon - I have a 20 gal tank and some t5s. I plan on the same approach: frequent aggressive water changes, and observation. Since most coral treatments are either in the form of dips, or are "reef safe" (red bugs, flatworms), I don't think I see a need for a hospital tank.
What does everybody else use, and how is it working for you? It's too soon to decide whether my process really works yet or not, but so far the results are very good. Those that have years-old fish, do you attribute their health to use of a quarantine process?
My current setup (for fish) is this:
-10gal tank
-hood w/ cheap incandescents
-HOB filter that I stuff with seasoned filter material and carbon as needed
-heater
-pvc bits for fish shelter
-Maxijet 600 when I feel like the fish would like additional circulation
When I want to setup the quarantine tank, I just pull old filter material from my tank, rinse it, and use it in the HOB. I like to use Stability and Prime as prescribed on the bottle. I also like to use the little stick on ammmonia sensors. I do 50% temp/salinity/ph matched water changed every other day, or as indicated by the ammonia sensors, confirmed with a titration test.
I have settled on a 31 day quarantine process. All new fish get to spend a month in the QT tank, being fed, observed, etc. If disease is observed, they are treated, and the quarantine period is extended.
I realize that my QT tank is also a hospital tank. I see no need to set up two tanks - ich is so prevalent, i think that there is a greater than 50% likelyhood that any given fish will end up in the "hospital" anyway.
As a result of my QT process (10 gal tank), I have limited myself to only fish that can be reasonably quarantined for a month in a 10 gallon tank - only small species, or juveniles of larger species. I think I like this policy. It is very satisfying to watch healthy fish grow, and smaller fish are often cheaper!
I intend to establish a coral QT soon - I have a 20 gal tank and some t5s. I plan on the same approach: frequent aggressive water changes, and observation. Since most coral treatments are either in the form of dips, or are "reef safe" (red bugs, flatworms), I don't think I see a need for a hospital tank.
What does everybody else use, and how is it working for you? It's too soon to decide whether my process really works yet or not, but so far the results are very good.
Those that have years-old fish, do you attribute their health to use of a quarantine process?
