Quarantine tank ?

[grazhopr]

It seems like a good idea, but would anyone recommend to treat a sick fish for example, with copper based remedies, even if it is in a quarantine tank ? Wouldn´t the fish somehow export some of those copper based compounds back into the main display ?
I was thinking that If I was to setup a small quarantine tank, I would do it for acclimation and for observation of new fish, and also for "traditional" soft treatment like hyposalinity, "high" water temp, or to catch it easily if I had to give some sick fish a few fresh water dips.
Is that a right approach, or do you think I could add some copper to the quarantine tank and then, if the fish survives the treatment, send it back to the main tank ?

[OodleyBoodely]

Personally, I don't think copper is worth the dangers. It's not just the danger to inverts if it is transported back to a reeftank, but, it is also highly toxic to the fish if not carefully monitored. There are other equally effective treatments- hypo or hyper salinity, temperature, garlic and vitamin additive to food, and less dangerous medications, too. I kept my quarantine tank cycled and running for months during my fish aquistion period and I treated all new fish with a combination of 'Super Ick Cure" (a malachite green med) and "Formalin". This worked well for me especially for clownfish.

I think the best thing you can do is have a stable q-tank ready and to keep new fish in it long enough to be sure of their health. This is also a great time to 'teach' the new fish to eat the foods you will be feeding (very important for wild caught fish that must change to new unfamiliar foods). With shy reluctant feeders, I have used a 'nanny-fish' (such as a chalkbass or damsel) added to the q-tank to show the new guy what's edible. HTH

[Kevin1000]

Copper is the recommended treatment for certain parasites including Amyloodinium aka Marine Velvet - there is no problem with "cross contamination" of copper - just make sure your not transporting any water from the QT to the show tank.

[Phishnoob]

I had no luck treating ill fish in my Q tank. I will put new arrivals that are risky in there though to make sure they are healthy.

We used copper but do a complete clean and restart before any new fish.

Some folks have said the Q tank stress is worse than the benefits..it is hard to figure out who is right.

Phishnoob

[hitillidie]

I've used Q tanks before with success. I'm a beleiver in Copper, just don't transfer it into your main system. I treated fish several times with copper. The only fish that I've seen copper effect is purple tangs, it cleans them but it does something to their skin, their color comes back but they're quite ugly for about 2 to 3 weeks.

[cath]

I wonder what JennM does? Let's bump this up and shoot her a PM.

[JennM]

You rang?

If you have reason to believe your new aquisistions are healthy, quarantine them and monitor them. Don't medicate unless it's indicated.

I use Cupramine on occasion when it's indicated, not often but I find it effective for Ich and other parasites (but not flukes -- fw dip works for that)

If you are treating, be careful of mixing meds - use the right med for the right ailment and strip the quarantine afterward.

I have never heard of a fish "moving" copper into a reef tank - if that were the case I'd have had a lot of problems.

Jenn

[grazhopr]

Thanks Jenn, cath, hitillidie, Phishnoob, Kevin1000, OodleyBoodely. I´m definitively setting up a Q tank !