- Location
- Philippines
...do any of you put in any medications or 'preventative' stuff in your qt or hospital tanks, OR should you?
:scratch:
:scratch:
Quarantine/Hospital Tank..
- Thread starter inkblue
- Start date
- Location
- Bethpage,NY
Why not?That's what we use it for,once the copper is in there,it's hard to get it out.The LFS do it in their tanks when they're acclimating new fish.We all know you're not a rookie.lol.
.lol.
- Location
- Philippines
Hmmm... what do you use zany? :scratch: just wanna know what peeps use.
- Location
- The Big City
You shouldn't put in any medication in a QT tank. Before you start treating a fish, with any medication, you should know what it has an then use the correct treatment to cure the problem.
LFS use copper in their system as a catch all, against diseases and parasites, but the levels usually aren't high enough to kill even ich.
LFS use copper in their system as a catch all, against diseases and parasites, but the levels usually aren't high enough to kill even ich.
Just my 2 cents, I am sure there are people who disagree with me.
I don't for two reasons. If you are using any type of antibiotic, you end up killing good bacteria along with the bad. there are a host of bacteria that live and "work" within the body, such as the digestive tract, antibiotics harm these just as much as the bad ones. As an example when I first got my dog, he was very sick and on antibiotics for two months. This affected his digestive tract and his ability to process food, not only did he have the "runs" all the time, but my vet told me he wasn't getting all the nutrition out of his food.
There is also the possibility of creating strains of the more common ailments that are resistant to our common treatments.
As Zany said above, LFS keep copper in their tanks, but they have a very different situation from the average hobbiest. They can't quarantine their fish, and all of their tanks are plumbed together. If they have a store with all healthy fish, and bring in one sick fish, they now potentially have an entire store of sick fish.
I don't for two reasons. If you are using any type of antibiotic, you end up killing good bacteria along with the bad. there are a host of bacteria that live and "work" within the body, such as the digestive tract, antibiotics harm these just as much as the bad ones. As an example when I first got my dog, he was very sick and on antibiotics for two months. This affected his digestive tract and his ability to process food, not only did he have the "runs" all the time, but my vet told me he wasn't getting all the nutrition out of his food.
There is also the possibility of creating strains of the more common ailments that are resistant to our common treatments.
As Zany said above, LFS keep copper in their tanks, but they have a very different situation from the average hobbiest. They can't quarantine their fish, and all of their tanks are plumbed together. If they have a store with all healthy fish, and bring in one sick fish, they now potentially have an entire store of sick fish.
- Location
- Wallingford, CT
You should run a bare bottom tank with some PVC fittings for hiding, run a cannister filter for the bacteria bed with the outflow going through a UV sterilizer and add a powerhead for circulation if necessary & don't forget the heater.
I also monitor with a PH monitor cause these type of setups will need buffering every 3rd day or so.
I also monitor with a PH monitor cause these type of setups will need buffering every 3rd day or so.
Ive had bad luck with maintaining QT paramaters, due to lack of bio filter even with established water and frequent water changes. But I would think starting with a lower salinity as maintenance and add meds as needed (i.e copper, maracyn)
- Location
- Long Island
I have become a big believer in QT and hospital tanks, after losing almost all my fish from ick and brook. I don't run anything except a sponge filter, powerhead, small amounts of live rock and a UV in my QT. Feed fish with garlic and observe. Why stress the fish out anymore than you have too. If I see a problem, I try fresh water dips, and in the case of clown fish, I have had good success with Formalin dips.. For some reason once they show signs of sickness, the die quickly if you don't agressively treat. 3-4 weeks with no problems and off they go into the main tank. Too much heart ache seeing fish get sick and die in the main because of introduction of a disease. Hope that helps.
As Mike & Matt suggested no medication should be used in a QT tank unless there in an indication that it is necessary. A QT tank should be thought of more as an observation tank.
The use of a UV sterilizer is also not suggested as it will kill bad as well as good bacteria. I also never suggest the use of a canister filter on any tank since the bacteria in them dies very quickly if power is shut off and can cause you a lot more issues if released into your tank.
Unless you plan on purchasing larger fish a new 10g tank and an inexpensive Accuclear filter, an additional package of 3 foam filters, a 50W heater and an airpump and airline with airstone should be all you need. And a few pieces of PVC to make it feel homey
I suggest the Accuclear for a 30g tank. It will take the solid crud out of the tank and keep the surface of the water moving well for oxygenation purposes.
Take one of the foam filters and drop it in your sump and leave it there allowing it to colonize with bacteria, when you need to QT a fish take it out & pop it into the filter and replace it with a new one (which will colonize within a couple of days).
If you need to medicate the QT tank, don't use the carbon.
The airpump/line/stone IS for when you need to medicate as most medication stresses fish further and additional air helps reduce the stress, especially when you are dealing with an illness that affects the gills.
Painting the rear & sides of the QT tank will also add to the comfort level of the fish, though you can also tape on the dark background they sell at LFS's.
If you need a hood & standard light for it- drop me a PM, I have one I can give you.
The $40 or so dollars that it will cost to put this together will give you a lot of peace of mind when buying new fish !
Oh..and you want your parameters as close to your DT as possible so you don't go and stress the fish when adding him to your system
The use of a UV sterilizer is also not suggested as it will kill bad as well as good bacteria. I also never suggest the use of a canister filter on any tank since the bacteria in them dies very quickly if power is shut off and can cause you a lot more issues if released into your tank.
Unless you plan on purchasing larger fish a new 10g tank and an inexpensive Accuclear filter, an additional package of 3 foam filters, a 50W heater and an airpump and airline with airstone should be all you need. And a few pieces of PVC to make it feel homey
I suggest the Accuclear for a 30g tank. It will take the solid crud out of the tank and keep the surface of the water moving well for oxygenation purposes.
Take one of the foam filters and drop it in your sump and leave it there allowing it to colonize with bacteria, when you need to QT a fish take it out & pop it into the filter and replace it with a new one (which will colonize within a couple of days).
If you need to medicate the QT tank, don't use the carbon.
The airpump/line/stone IS for when you need to medicate as most medication stresses fish further and additional air helps reduce the stress, especially when you are dealing with an illness that affects the gills.
Painting the rear & sides of the QT tank will also add to the comfort level of the fish, though you can also tape on the dark background they sell at LFS's.
If you need a hood & standard light for it- drop me a PM, I have one I can give you.
The $40 or so dollars that it will cost to put this together will give you a lot of peace of mind when buying new fish !
Oh..and you want your parameters as close to your DT as possible so you don't go and stress the fish when adding him to your system
- Location
- Bethpage,NY
There are also those non copper meds like kick ich and one I used called sano.Different opinions on how to medicate.Just observe then medicate with the proper meds.Oher may chime in.
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