Quote:
Originally Posted by subman
I would't QT the first fish in IMO. I think QTing is great later when adding to an established tank but kinda pointless in a new one like yours. If it was me I'd get a fish.
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Sorry, but I have to respectfully disagree. If you get a fish and put it into your tank, what if it has ich? The parasite will live it's life cycle, drop into the substrate be reborn 1000 fold and start again. Those young parasite will find the 1st fish, live their life cycle, drop off into the substrate and keep multiplying. If your fish is healthy and able to fight the invasion you may not even see it or know it's in your tank. Until, that is, you buy that really nice hippo tang or something, a couple fish get stressed and holy cow, how'd I get ich? I QT'd all my fish. No you didn't.
Your tank is the most pristine it's going to get. Don't be impatient and add a fish in there unless you are absolutely sure it is disease and parasite free. And the only way you are 100% sure is if you QT and/or treat. Some people prophylactically treat with copper, prazi, and/or a handful of others. What's worked for me so far is just the tank transfer method to deal with ich and close observation for anything else. Granted, I've only got 9 months under my belt, so it is only my experience and reading.
The only thing that sucks more than having a fish with ich is having a tank full of ichy fish. Then you will need to QT all of them and let your tank sit fallow for 8-10 weeks.
If it were me, I'd start ghost feeding the tank. A bit a day. If your NH3/NH4, NO3 and NO2 are remaining low after another week or so, I'd add a a couple hermit crabs if you personally have nothing against them (some don't like any). You've already got algae growing, add a couple snails then too. While this is going on, QT a couple nice hardy fish. Watch them every day, how they eat, how they react to you. When you finally get them into the tank you'll sort of know what's normal behaviour for them.
You are setting the stage for what should be a long and happy environment for your little fishies. Don't put anything in there you don't want in there for the long haul.
But, again, just my opinion....