To QT or Not...

I started up my 125 a few weeks ago, I added some more live rock last week so I will let it cycle for 3-4 more weeks before adding a few fish. I read mix reviews on QT, interested in your thoughts and suggestions.

 

It basically comes down to this:

Is using a QT tank smart? Yes
Will it be safer for your display tank and fish? Yes
Is it required? Not in the least

Some swear by running everything they buy through quarantine others don't bother. It's all about whether you are willing to take the chance without one.

 

QT absolutely if you can.

If you can't, it's a chance. I don't QT.

 

Not quite sure how you can have mixed reviews on a QT tank. I see no downside whatsoever. I plan on running one when my tank is up and running and I am even going to treat all my fish prophylactically for disease. I am going to my 100% best for my fish and not lose them all to MV, or some other problem. If you still lose fish, then at least you can say you did everything you could to not only protect your investment, but the lives of your fishes. QT's don't require that much more expense and the amount you can lose to disease can be enough to knock people right out of the hobby. It's just not worth it. Patience is key.

As a side note, I am going with a 30 day minimum qt with 14 days on Cupramine and 3 days of 10 minute FWD's.

 

A LITTLE STORY about how important QT's can be

I have an ORA B&W clown that I have had for 5+ years...

In that time I have NEVER lost a fish, or had any disease so naturally I did not have a QT.

About two months ago I decided to get my clown a mate and bought a perfectly healthy Onyx. They got along right away and were fine for two weeks and then BAM!!!

MY B&W clown gets marine velvet!!! If my LFS wasn't so great enough to let me use one of their 5 gallon cubes to bring home and save her, she would be dead and most likely have destroyed every fish in my tank.

SO LONG STORY SHORT, BUY THE QT!!! Use it and love it

 

Always QT. There should be no argument.

 

I don't QT. Its all up to you how you want to pursue this hobby. I buy my fish from only one place that quarintines there fish for 20 days before they sell it. To me, QT at home just causes excess stress on the fish. Stress alone will cause issues in fish. The problem is people by from 5 different places and who knows what they do for there fish before sale. Find a reputable place and have them show you there filtration and how they acclimate and quarintine there livestock. My girlfriend is a manager at petco but I will never buy a fish or coral from there because I have one very reputable source to purchase from. Any way you choose just remember to enjoy this hobby. Good luck.

 

+1 on that. It is so cheap to run a ten gallon with no sand or rock, a light and a filter lol

 

The only way I wouldn't QT something is a Leopard Wrasse.... and only after watching it in a lfs for a long time.... Actually then i would QT the wrasse because i knew its eating. No reason not to QT

 

All great points, however all referred to fish. My understanding is if you are QTing you have to QT everything so you will need a similar setup to your main system on a smaller scale. Also if you are going to medicate fish multiple QT systems are needed. Did I get that right?