What is the best way to turn my DT into a QT?

[psilentchild]

I have now a 72 gallon FOWLR.I'm upgrading to a 560 gallon FOWLR. What I was planning on doing is taking my fish out two a month and leaving my sand and LR in the tank. Since my upgrade tank is a whole lot bigger could I just add all six fish at once? Also should I remove the sand and LR or could I leave it all in there?

[Recty]

If your big DT is cycled and ready to accept fish, you could probably get away with adding all six at once, especially if you have good filtration which it sounds like you are on top of.

If it was me, I'd put my most mellow fish into the tank, like 3 of them, give it a week, then put the remaining three into the tank. Just make sure you check your water levels for ammonia but really you should be fine if your tank is cycled.

[psilentchild]

What about the LR and sand leave it or let it stay

[Recty]

I wouldnt have LR and sand in a quarantine tank. I use bare bottom and PVC pipes, very easy to keep clean and it wont absorb medications you are probably going to treat with.

[LisaD]

I have a different perspective, but it requires another tank, if needed.

I use the a well cycled, established tank to QT - meaning to isolate and observe new fish for several to many weeks, until they are declared healthy, eating and de-stressed - and ready to go in the DT

I also keep another tank (sterilite tub is fine) in case treatment is needed.

If a fish comes from LA DD, it goes in the well established, cycled tank.

If it comes in sick or shows signs of illness after QT, it goes in the hospital tank, as Recty describes.

This is more hassle, but if you are getting sensitive or stressed fish, they will do best IMO if they are in a stable tank to start.

[psilentchild]

Cool that's more LR for me in my upgrade tank.

[psilentchild]

Ok just so I understand have two BB tanks. One QT and one HT.Monitor in the QT and treat in the HT? Hey lisaD you asked about my water pram about my kole tang
p.h 8.2
alkalinity 1.7
nitrate 100
ammonia 2.5
temp 78
didn't have enough time to check nitrites. I can't seem to get my nitrates down

[LisaD]

Ok just so I understand have two BB tanks. One QT and one HT.Monitor in the QT and treat in the HT?

No, I keep one cycled tank with LR and sand for QT. and a BB tank no rock or sand, just PVC, for HT. You don't need to do it my way, that's just my preference. If a fish comes in looking healthy, I prefer to minimize stress rather than putting in a QT with no biofilter. I don't treat unless it is necessary. If treating, fish goes in HT.

On your tank parameters, I think ammonia is your problem, it is a killer, and should be undetectable in a cycled tank. Has anything changed lately to cause an ammonia spike? What kind of filtration do you have? Have you medicated the tank? Lost power?

p.h 8.2
alkalinity 1.7
nitrate 100
ammonia 2.5
temp 78

When my fish aren't looking good, and I don't know why, I'll often do several partial water changes. water changes don't hurt and can lower ammonia.

also, not sure why your nitrates are so high. are you doing regular water changes?

[psilentchild]

I personally think it was 0 but I asked a coworker and he said that it was closer to 2.5. My nitrates are high do to not finding dead snails. I do water changes once a week.I did treat for flukes about a week ago but have done a water change since then

[psilentchild]

I'm sorry I read it wrong its not 2.5 its 0.25.But I still think it was 0 though

[psilentchild]

I having a cycled Qt would work better for the regal angel and if sick treat in another.Now I wish iwould have giving away my old QT

[WuHT]

even if your fish are all friends in your smaller tank, you shuold definately sequester their introductions into the larger aquarium (not based on hardiness, but on lack of aggression).

[Recty]

You can probably buy a new QT on craigslist very cheaply.

[karaim]

Lisa, let me ask you something. What do you use for filtration in your hospital tank? I have (had - it leaked) a 10 gallon QT tank set up with Live Rock. I didn't have to treat a fish yet (knock on wood), so I didn't need to remove the live rock.

But regardless of the filtration you use, won't meds kill off any bacteria in your filter? How do you keep the ammonia under control?