Quarantine Practices

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by hillegom

I use water from the display, the first time, the fish have to be acclimated.
For me, I see a win win because I am also changing the DT water.
I feed minimal for two days then a lot the last night. Before going to bed I put a black plastic bag over the pail (I have aeration in the pail) and remove it just before I transfer
I don't put them into QT after, just into DT. I don't use filtration. The first two pails the fish are in, usually gets prazipro treatments.

Do you provide any light for the pail? And maybe a PVC pipe for their security comfort? Assume you have a heater in the pail.

My thinking of the QT (since I have it already set up anyway) is just for observation before going into the DT. I would think it would be pretty hard to observe them in a pail, especially if they are hiding. And I want to be sure they are feeding well.

Sure would be nice to cut down my QT period from 2+ months to maybe 2 weeks. Not that I buy a fish very often..., but sometimes I see one at J&L or elsewhere, but don't want to bring it home because how long it will take.

[hillegom]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Do you provide any light for the pail? And maybe a PVC pipe for their security comfort? Assume you have a heater in the pail.

My thinking of the QT (since I have it already set up anyway) is just for observation before going into the DT. I would think it would be pretty hard to observe them in a pail, especially if they are hiding. And I want to be sure they are feeding well.

Sure would be nice to cut down my QT period from 2+ months to maybe 2 weeks. Not that I buy a fish very often..., but sometimes I see one at J&L or elsewhere, but don't want to bring it home because how long it will take.

There is a pipe or Y or T fit to the size of each fish. I have never had more than 4 small, maybe 1.5 in fish at a time. Heater yes, with airstone, no light. Just ambient room light, of which we have a lot = windows. Loose fitting lid.
All uneaten food is siphoned out after about 20 min.

[Reef Pilot]

Thanks, Dietmar, that is excellent information. Doesn't sound too difficult. Might give it a try next time.

[mark]

Going to get a couple of Banggai Cardinals and was going to set up a QT but looking like it's basically this transfer tank method.

Plan was to use a 15g (rather than my previous 33g QT with skimmer, etc), fill from display system and refill display with new SW. I'll throw in a heater and use a small HOB filter with some carbon mainly for circulation, PVC pieces for shelter. Could also do some LR as got lots in my sump that planning on removing anyway.

I'll siphon out uneaten food and waste but some questions:
-figure change out 1/2 volume, would every couple of days be okay
-how long to leave the fish in, 2 weeks and no signs of ich etc, then okay to add to display?