DensityMan
10/06/2004, 02:00 PM
DISCLAIMER: While I have often marveled at and deisred to setup a quarantine, I have not to date. This is not intended to be any sort of recommendation to go QT-less, just wanted my current state to be known up front.
The largest factor in my not having a Q-tank, currently is a lack of space combined with the understanding that I have always thought it best to keep a QT running at all times (and I referrence back to your article for the points against running one at all times). The very common-sense approach you make mention of within your article to have the filtration source (HOB or Sponge-filter) already running within the main display is brilliant in its simplicity. It also leads me to several questions that no one has been able to answer to my satisfaction.
What happens to the filter when the aquarist doesn't luck out and has to treat for a parasite or infection?
In most cases we are told (and rightly so) not to use medications within our display tanks for the damage, both short and long term, that can be done to the small life within our tanks. When the quarantine period is finished and the fish/coral looks healthy it can be placed into the display. What happens to the filter though when the quarantine time is finished? Specifically, how much damage is the filter capable of doing to the main display through leaching of copper or other contaminants (from the medications) or even eggs/largal parasites that survived 'treatment' on/in the filter?
Should the filter itself be cleaned/detoxxed and the media exchanged before starting the process over again?
I've personally 'justified' not needing a QT tank because I am generally (overly) meticulous in observing/scanning something at the LFS before taking it home. I have imported macro-parasites and corallivores in my time and dealt with them during acclimation by hand (again through meticulous observation and a good deal of luck). I don't buy online (which is somewhat humorous because I work in web-development) and that may help somewhat. I do 'swap' frags (rarely) with people online and have found those to be my most worrisome additions, simply due to the lack of observation opportunities and the absence of tank info/history. On several imports I've had to treat for and remove red/green planaria (flatworms) during acclimations.
What do you suggest a person without the space (or willpower to leave it empty) for a continuously running QT do to help safeguard their tanks inhabitants? Is what I've outlined above from my personal experience enough? Is it really safe to just plop the QT filter from the tank-with-bad-things into the display-sump again?
Sorry if their are too many questions above. Once my interest is piqued I am a sponge for information; I just need to know more... to soak it all in.
Thanks,
Scott / DM
The largest factor in my not having a Q-tank, currently is a lack of space combined with the understanding that I have always thought it best to keep a QT running at all times (and I referrence back to your article for the points against running one at all times). The very common-sense approach you make mention of within your article to have the filtration source (HOB or Sponge-filter) already running within the main display is brilliant in its simplicity. It also leads me to several questions that no one has been able to answer to my satisfaction.
What happens to the filter when the aquarist doesn't luck out and has to treat for a parasite or infection?
In most cases we are told (and rightly so) not to use medications within our display tanks for the damage, both short and long term, that can be done to the small life within our tanks. When the quarantine period is finished and the fish/coral looks healthy it can be placed into the display. What happens to the filter though when the quarantine time is finished? Specifically, how much damage is the filter capable of doing to the main display through leaching of copper or other contaminants (from the medications) or even eggs/largal parasites that survived 'treatment' on/in the filter?
Should the filter itself be cleaned/detoxxed and the media exchanged before starting the process over again?
I've personally 'justified' not needing a QT tank because I am generally (overly) meticulous in observing/scanning something at the LFS before taking it home. I have imported macro-parasites and corallivores in my time and dealt with them during acclimation by hand (again through meticulous observation and a good deal of luck). I don't buy online (which is somewhat humorous because I work in web-development) and that may help somewhat. I do 'swap' frags (rarely) with people online and have found those to be my most worrisome additions, simply due to the lack of observation opportunities and the absence of tank info/history. On several imports I've had to treat for and remove red/green planaria (flatworms) during acclimations.
What do you suggest a person without the space (or willpower to leave it empty) for a continuously running QT do to help safeguard their tanks inhabitants? Is what I've outlined above from my personal experience enough? Is it really safe to just plop the QT filter from the tank-with-bad-things into the display-sump again?
Sorry if their are too many questions above. Once my interest is piqued I am a sponge for information; I just need to know more... to soak it all in.
Thanks,
Scott / DM