/ Register

  1. Do you have an old account but can't access it?


    See Accessing your GIRS Account or Contact Us - We are here to help!

Got my quarantine tank, now what?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by adampottebaum, Jun 16, 2010.

  1. Jun 16, 2010 #1
    adampottebaum

    adampottebaum Experienced Reefkeeper GIRS Member

    2,329
    Ratings:
    +19 / 0 / -0
    I've got a 20 gallon tank I'm going to use to quarantine new fish and if I ever get any sick fish. I plan on only using this tank for this purpose, so I'll be using copper to ensure the new arrivals are healthy. I plan on taking out 20 gallons of my display tank water while drip acclimating the new fish to fill the tank and replace my display with new saltwater. I've got a few fish coming in Thursday, is there anything I should know about quarantining these new fish?
    The questions I have are:
    1. Will I be able to use the heater and powerhead from this copper medicated water in anything that will end up in my tank later on(mixing new water...)?
    2. How long do I need to keep them in this quarantine tank with copper?

    3. Do I just use extra pvc for hiding places in this tank? I might put a sponge of some sort in my sump tonight so it's filled with bacteria for the tank, then toss when I'm done. I won't be putting any live rock in because I'm using copper...
    4. Should I light this tank? I've got a vho bulb or a simple household lamp I could put over it.

    5. Any other things I'm missing or tips from past experience would be greatly appreciated!
     
  2. Jun 16, 2010 #2
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

    8,015
    La Porte City, IA
    Ratings:
    +1,014 / 6 / -0
    Hey Adam

    To tell you the truth I wouldnt copper dose it automatically.

    There are two good ways for a QT. One is to keep it up & running continuously, just fallow. Keep some LR in there, a sponge filter, heater & so on. Then when you get new fish it goes into an established tank. This will give it time to adjust to tank life (most still come from the ocean). Usually they are still in shock somewhat & adjusting to their new enviornment.

    The other thing you can do is have a qt tank read, but empty. To do this you need to keep a couple sponge filters in your sump & refugium. Then when new fish come in, fill up tank with display water, transfer your sponge filters, add & heater & away you go.

    PCV works awesome for hiding places. It is easy to clean. Here is a pic of one I used.

    If you do decide to go the copper route, I would dedicate that stuff to the QT only. You dont want to chance leaching it back into your tank.

    Another reason not to do that is what happens if you want to QT an invert?

    I commend you for taking the time to do a QT, it will pay off in the long run.





     
  3. Jun 16, 2010 #3
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

    8,015
    La Porte City, IA
    Ratings:
    +1,014 / 6 / -0
    Here is the PCV home I used.  they loved it
    [​IMG]
     
  4. Jun 16, 2010 #4
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

    8,015
    La Porte City, IA
    Ratings:
    +1,014 / 6 / -0
    If you dont use copper, you can use it a food culture as well.

    Add some Isopods, then all you have to do is add a carrot once in awhile & they will reproduce like crazy. You wont need to heat or light it when not in use. Just keep an airstone in there for circulation & O2.

    Then if you want to give your display a nice meal, leave a fish net in the tank over night. The next day the net will be full of pods that you shake off in your display for a nice snack.

    It will also help those new QT fish eat.
     
  5. Jun 16, 2010 #5
    marty

    marty

    105
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Carrots huh? I still haven't tried the baby brine skrimp hatcher..

    Thread hijack haha
     
  6. Jun 16, 2010 #6
    adampottebaum

    adampottebaum Experienced Reefkeeper GIRS Member

    2,329
    Ratings:
    +19 / 0 / -0
    Craig, thanks for the info, the isopod thing would be cool to try. What inverts did you have in mind when you were talking about having to quarantine someday(corals I assume)? I've got a 55 gallon tank and a 10 gallon tank in case I need to quarantine something without copper. I plan on only using this 20 gallon tank for quarantining fish with copper. I've got a bunch of extra 2" pvc I can use to make a structure just like yours, it was a lot better setup than what I had in mind! I will keep a dedicated heater, pump, and pvc for this tank. I'm still unsure about not using copper, I don't feel safe chancing it that I won't have an outbreak right off the bat and get all the fish in quarantine sick. I haven't had too many fish additions to my tank, so I haven't needed to quarantine more than one fish at a time. Every coral I get I dip with lugol's solution(iodine) and have revive and a coral disinfectant on hand if I experience any problems with any corals in my tank. The only non coral inverts I have are anemones for my clowns and a feather duster. I think this time I will use copper, I will write on the tank "Copper Treated" so I don't forget!

    Thanks for the help Craig!
     
  7. Jun 20, 2010 #7
    Waverz

    Waverz Expert Reefkeeper

    3,547
    Ratings:
    +5 / 0 / -0
    Jon Coppolino went over QT's in his speech at Spring Fest. Hopefully someday the BOD will make these videos available for members to watch. I uploaded them a month ago so it's not on me.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...