How many of you guys quarantine new fish for a bit before adding them to the main tank? If so, what goes in the quarantine tank and how long do you quarantine for? What are the advantages/disadvantages of doing this? I'm picking up a new red severum this weekend to replace the one that died from stress after having it for only one day. I'm considering putting it in quarantine before adding it to the main tank to avoid this and lessen the stress. Good idea or will it stress the fish even further?
To quarantine or not to quarantine?
- Thread starter frp13187
- Start date
Always quarantine regardless of the circumstances. Heck, I had been through troubles before for not doing so and know a lot of other people who learned their lessons as well. It is always recommended to quarantine for four weeks. Not all pathogens will show up quickly once a fish is placed in the quarantine tank. Some appear after 2-3 weeks.
The only disadvantage is space. If you do not have the space at all, then you are likely in trouble with the possible transmission of deadly diseases to your current stocks. I make my tank barebottom and operate only with sponge filter along with a few hiding places. Heaters are required for those who live in cold areas. Use black background at the back and sides of tank so the fish will feel more secured and comfortable.
The only disadvantage is space. If you do not have the space at all, then you are likely in trouble with the possible transmission of deadly diseases to your current stocks. I make my tank barebottom and operate only with sponge filter along with a few hiding places. Heaters are required for those who live in cold areas. Use black background at the back and sides of tank so the fish will feel more secured and comfortable.
I only quarantine fish I get from strange places but it's best to quarantine everything. If I always had the tankspace I'd quarantine every time.
I quarantine everything for 30 full days. I use a 15 gallon and its good. Like mentioned back and sides painted. Less lighting hours and a decent heater and sponge filter and an aquatech 5/15 a small spattering of gravel that is changed after every quarantine.
I have never quarantined and have never had a problem. I try to make sure i know where the fish has come from and how handled (risky i know) and take alot of time examining the fish before i purchase, BUT, maybe i have just been lucky over the years!
I always try to quarantine, and if wild caught then minimum one month including medicated flakes for internal parasites.
I keep my quarantine tank's bio wheel in one of my AC 110's. When I want to buy a new fish, I just take the quarantine tank from the garage and fill it with water from the 100 gallon. Pop on the bio wheel and instant quarantine tank! The back and bottom are painted blue and I put one fake plant in it. Even my fish hating husband don't mind it being on the kitchen counter because he knows it will only be there for a few weeks.
I will not buy a fish unless i can quarenteen for at least 30 days.. i will never ever again risk any of my fish.. i had a case of ICK that wiped out a few of my large clown loaches a few years back..that taught me a forever lesson.. .. Never, ever ever.... would i not quarenteen... it does not matter how the fish looks.. how trusted the source of origin ... or how many weeks it was in LFS... nothing could sway me again.. it is so preventable to just quarenteen.. such a nightmare if that fish has a disease... believe me not worth the risk..the expense to treat everyone in a large tank... the constant worrying.. whew ..why go through it ..