QT tank

[shaun11423]

i was doing some research and i came across this interesting article about qt. heres an excerpt i found to be rather interesting and need some input on it,

"A Q tank can be an empty aquarium, with a sponge filter, heater, and large piece of PVC to serve as a cave for the fish to hide in. I generally keep my Q specific gravity at 1.016. When bringing a fish home, I allow the water in the bag to rise to room temperature, and then I add the fish directly to my Q, which is kept at 76F. I do not acclimate to the specific gravity. I believe this quick drop in specific gravity to be effective at causing stress to any unseen parasites which might be present on the body of the fish. I have handled literally hundreds of fish using this technique, and have never had any issues. This is similar to a "dip", which is believed to cause parasites to die but causes no long term problems with the fish. (For the record, I acclimate invertebrates with great care, using a drip method, adding them to my display without Q.)"

what do you guys think about the acclimation method

Read more: http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/...tting-up-quarantine-tank-35693/#ixzz1BRqKql1R
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[KathyC]

I don't think the 1.016 sg is a good idea for 2 reasons, one it is not low enough to kill a parasite and secondly, it will most likely cause the fish some level of additional stress.
When hyposalinity is used to rid a fish of ich it is suggested that the salinity be lowered gradually, this seems to go against that principal.

May as well just yell at the parasite IMO

 

[noobzy]

+1 for yelling at parasites. That's what I've been doing, and so far my fish have been super healthy.

 

[shaun11423]

yea i figured it wasn't a good idea, i personally have half inch of sand and crush coral for my substrate and some LR, which i use as a hiding space for the fish. I do a slow acclimation to the fish and keep him in there for 3 weeks with copper treatment used.

 

[KathyC]

Actually Shaun you really shouldn't have any live rock or sand in there as they will never be able to be used for any other purpose due to the copper treatment.

Also not sure why you would treat a fish with copper if there isn't necessarily something wrong with it?

Before the debate on QT tanks starts I'd just like to post a few thoughts

There is a difference between a QT tank and a Hospital tank.
IMO a QT tank is for bringing home a new fish and placing it in a tank that should be in a place without a lot of distractions (people moving about right nearby, the cat sitting on top of it...) with the back & sides painted black or some of that film stuff from your LFS to offer more protection, a few pieces of PVC pipe for a shelter and you could even throw in a fake plant or 2. In this tank you want to observe the fish, make sure it is eating well and is comfortable, and it watch to see that it doesn't have any parasites or issues.

It should have a heater, an air pump and air stone and can also have a filter (a sponge filter is great for these as you can keep the sponge in your sump and take it out when you need to set this type of tank up). It doesn't require a light but if you chose you can put a FW type T8 strip light over it.

Obviously you need to watch the parameters like any tank and take immediate action if they begin to go out of whack, but ideally you don't let it get to that point.

If the fish does great in there for 2 or 3 weeks, then acclimate it over to your DT and enjoy it.

A Hospital Tank is for trying to heal/cure whatever is wrong with your fish.
The set up is basically the same but medication --or an action like hypo-salinity -- is involved.
IMO copper should not be used unless it is proven that it is necessary.
The medication used should fit the issue, IF there IS an issue, otherwise (again imo) all you are doing is poisoning your fish.

..and Shaun, the thing that happens to most QT tanks that are set up with a few pieces of live rock, and some sand...they have a nasty habit of turning into a second reef tank...lol

 

[shaun11423]

i hear what you are saying, my qt tank or should i say hospital tank is used just for the preventive cause of the parasites i cant see and have no way of telling they are on the fish. I just like the look of the LR and substrate and dont want to stare at a empty tank all the time. The items in the tank will stay in there and i dont really care about it to much. I just use the copper for that one fish i bring home one day that would potentially destroy my tank. So i should call it a hospital tank :lol: