Might have to eat my own words re: quarantine

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by lngrhaul

I know it will be a while before you are ready to proceed with the fish but I'm wondering how you are planning to handle the big swing in the water chemistry when you add all the fish at one time?

My advice would be to put the new fish through the hypo salinity routine, whether they look sick or not. I have done that twice now, for a total of 3 months from purchase to display tank. That way you are assured of no ich getting into your display tank. Of course be sure that your display tank is fallow for at least 3 months. And use a fully cycled canister filter with your QT.

I think the fish actually like the lower salinity water, as they adapted quickly, and seemed active and happy. That also gave me plenty of time to get them feeding well, and fatten them up before moving them to the display tank.

During the final week, I did daily water changes with display tank water, to bring the salinity up, changing more water each time until it was almost the same. A little extra salt with the final change brought the salinity equal to the display tank.

Another big advantage with this method is that the new fish are fully acclimatized to your display tank when you are done.