Quarantine Tank Journal

[stanleo]

So I thought I would start a journal about the quick and easy QT tank I wanted to start. Quarantining new fish is, I have come to believe, essential for the overall health of your tanks and fish. Even if it is a reliable LFS and you do not see any health issues in the store it can be an entirely different story when you get the fish home. I am by no means an expert so if there is wrong info on here I hope some of the more experienced will chime in and say something. For the novice, do your research and ask your questions because what I put in this journal may not be the absolute right answer. 
 
I am going to quarantine my new fish for 6 weeks. I am going to monitor their health and feeding habits. I am setting this up because I want to add 5 harlequin rasporas, 2 false jullii corys and 2 sterba corys to my display tank. I still have questions about QT tanks so I started a thread asking them here http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/436001-questions-about-quarentine-tank/  Go there for the answers to these questions if you are thinking of setting one of these up and I will update this as I get answers to those questions. 
 
So I started with a 10gl tank I had laying around. 
 

 
A HOB filter for a 10gl tank that I had
 

 
A heater for a 10gl tank. Its a simple heater designed for small tanks
 

 
A thin layer of white sand for the substrate. I have read that you can have these bare bottom or a thin layer to reduce stress. I chose white so I can tell how much food is left after each feeding. This is important in monitoring the overall health of the new fish. 
 

 
I then filled the tank with dechlorinated water. I took media out of my display tank to put in the QT filter. This will instantly cycle the tank so I don't have to go through a new cycle. 
 

 

 

 
I figured out how much ammonia to add to get the reading up to 3 ppm. In my 55gl Display tank it took 20ml of the ammonia source I have so I simply divided 10 by 55 to get 18%. Then 20ml x 18% = 3.6ml. So I added that to the tank. I did this to make sure the tank is cycled. If the ammonia and nitrite read 0ppm tomorrow, it is cycled and ready for fish. 
 
I hope this is going to be informative and helpful for me to monitor the new fish I am going to put in my tank. 
 
This is a shot after everything is done. The light is a simple 15w T8 18" bulb set on a timer. 
 

 

 
 
Its also interesting to note that I set all this up just with what I had in the house. I have thus far spent nothing on this tank and it could potentially save my tank from disaster. 
 
 
 
 

 

[stanleo]

I did some more research and you do need decor in a QT. I am going to get PVC pipes for the corys to hide in and some fake plants for the rasporas. Reason is you want as little stress on the new fish as possible. With that in mind, I will not be using the light, the room they will be in will have enough ambient light to begin with. I will not be using any medications unless the fish have an issue because this will put undue stress on them. Stressed fish will be apt to getting deceases. 
 
My research also says that a QT should be big enough for the fish that you are quarantining in case this is going to be long term. 
 
One thing I am concerned with is my tests today still show 2ppm of ammonia and no nitrites. I don't why that is so I may have to do a whole cycle on the tank. 

 

[stanleo]

I put a couple of rocks in for hiding places and a tacky aquarium ornament for a hiding place. I don't want to spend any money on this tank because it is only going to be set up for the duration of the QT. 
 
I am going to have to cycle the tank so I tested yesterday as that was 4 days after initially setting it up and adding the first dose of ammonia. 
 
Ammonia was 1ppm 
NItrite was .5ppm so the cycle is progressing quickly at least. 
 
I may have to buy a cheap plastic plant. 

 

[stanleo]

Day 7 of fishless cycle. 
 
Ammonia 0.5ppm
Nitrites 2-5ppm
 
Added Dose #2 of 3.6 ml ammonia
 
I added some plastic plants and one sprig of Ludwigia repens to the tank. It's the tackiest tank ever but it is functional and I wanted it that way so I wouldn't be tempted to keep it running after the QT is over. 
 

 

[Ninjouzata]

I hope the cycle finishes quickly, and the tank doesn't look terrible. I imagine the fish will appreciate the decor to hide in and such

 

[stanleo]

That's the only reason it has any decor at all! LOL 
 
Test results today (Day 9)
 
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrites 5ppm or higher
Nitrates 100ppm or higher. 
 
I don't know why my nitrates are always so high during these cycles. It got that high during my display tanks cycle too but that turned out ok so I am confident that this one will as well. 

 

[stanleo]

Test results today (Day 11)
 
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrites over 5ppm
Did not do nitrate test as it should still be over 100ppm
 
Did the snack dose of 1/3 for dose 3. 1.2ml ammonia

 

[BiggTexx]

I enjoyed reading this thread, but I do have a couple questions to ask.  Let me say first that I don't intend for these to be confrontational, as I love to get opinions from other hobbyists so I can learn and better adapt my processes for myself and for others.

1. Is 6 weeks a long enough quarantine period?  Generally speaking, most quarantine periods would be upwards of 60 days, and somewhere closer to 90 days.  If at any time a fish was to appear ill, the quarantine would start over and begin another 60-90 day countdown after the last signs of illness.
2. What type of pathogens or diseases are you expecting to be treating within the quarantine tank?
3. Is this primarily for new LFS purchases before adding to the main display unit?

Also, I agree with Fishaholic's comment from http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/436001-questions-about-quarentine-tank/#entry3690870 in regards to treating with an antibacterial.  Unless there are clear signs of an illness, treating a tank can cause undue stress and a higher likelihood of illness later on as the fish can become immune to the treatments.
 
I look forward to hearing your thoughts and seeing the continual progress.  I admire that you are taking the initiative to protect your fish and see as to there well being.

 

[stanleo]

To answer your questions, BiggTexx,
 
1. 6 weeks is the absolute minimum according to the research I did. I read several articles and they vary from 2weeks to 2 months but 6 weeks seemed to be the more common. And the 6 weeks will start over if there is any sign of illness.
 
2, Anything from fin rot to ich. When I started my display tank, I bought most of fish at the same time and ONE I noticed had a bad fin but I didn't think anything of it and within 2 weeks I lost half of the fish I bought to fin rot. I am not going through that again.
 
3. Yes this will be primarily for new fish that I get from the store. The only stores available to me are Petco and Petsmart so I don't want to take any chances.
 
And I agree, I have found out that you should only use meds if it is needed.
 
I look forward to seeing how this all works once this cycle has completed. I thought about getting one of those bacteria in a bottle things to jump start it but decided not to take any short cuts. Thanks for your comments. They are greatly appreciated.
 
Test results today (Day 13)
 
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrites still over 5ppm
 
I am waiting for the Nitrites to drop and then I will do the next full dose of ammonia. The diatoms have started to grow just like in the display tank.

 

[BiggTexx]

Thanks stanleo, that helps.
 
I would venture to say you are on a good track with your project.  While I do have a quarantine tank up and running, it has rarely used. Even with the common FWs like tetras and danios from the LFS, they head straight for the display unit.  I have come to find that adding in the quarantine tank to the process can cause more stress than acclimating directly to an established display.
 
As an after thought, have you considered purchasing online? I know the pricing can be more expensive due to shipping, but with the guarantees that are offered, the selection and the confidence that I am not getting the 'left overs' of already picked through fish. I think it is worth it.
 
Just my two cents, I know not everything is feasible for everyone.

 

[stanleo]

I don't want to buy online. The shipping fee is as much as the fish will cost and that is crazy to me.
 
Test results today (Day 15)
 
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite is still over 5ppm
 
Still waiting for the nitrites to drop. Its kinda frustrating because the media in the filter is all from the filters in my display tank. I don't want to give up this idea of a QT because I really don't want to take the chance of losing this angel fish.

 

[BiggTexx]

I completely understand the online purchase issue, especially with a small amount of fish.
 
Have you tried a small water change yet?