I lost many fish due to not using a QT. This is how I set up my system.

 

[QUOTE="Brew12, post: 4129328, member: 72319"I would also only treat in a tank set up as a hospital tank. If you can't be positive you are maintaining the correct level of medications you can't be sure of success.[/QUOTE]

I did get copper to correct level with sand last time but it took a few days (had a sand sifter), but this time around I'd have to use CP for the mandarins. Not sure if sand absorbs or not. I seeded pods in the new sand, along with some sand from my tank to add pods. I guess I treat with the CP and hope I get anything nasty.

 

I did get copper to correct level with sand last time but it took a few days (had a sand sifter), but this time around I'd have to use CP for the mandarins. Not sure if sand absorbs or not. I seeded pods in the new sand, along with some sand from my tank to add pods. I guess I treat with the CP and hope I get anything nasty.[/QUOTE]

No, you cant use copper with mandarins. The sand does absorb the copper and it will kill the pods. How old is ur tank?

 

I have a ton of pods in the display and only one scooter blenny. Tank was fallow for 76 days so pods really took hold. I did research on mandarins and qt'ing and the general concensus was nothing is for sure and to qt in case. I'd love to not qt them but the lfs does not do any type of qt practice. In this store, they were in a tiny tank by themselves but share water with all the other tanks in that area.

 

Oh, as the 2 I got were only 9 bucks each, I'm not sure I'm all that confident they will be healthy! I decided to take the risk.

 

Putting the fish in QT does not mean u have to medicate it.

 

Aquabox was offering fully and properly QT'd fish. They are moving so don't have anything offered right now. Rumors have it others are considering entering the market.

I'm in the position you are. I want a Mandy, but I'm not confident I can get them through QT ok.

 

I only have 2 pcs of rock, both rather on the smaller side, one is a shelf pc. The rest are plastic flowers or ceramic decorations to provide cover . If I do the cp, should I add a bit extra to compensate? I have 3 fish. 2 mandys and one barbershop goby. Also, if the mandarins don't eat, should I put them in the display? Should I go ahead and treat with cp now instead of just observing in case I need to move them over sooner? I used 2 straws put together to get some food down to the one I can see. Some tigger pods and some nutra ova and oyster eggs. I really want these guys to survive

 

I’m sure there is an article that you might refer me to - but wondering if you can link me to your more detailed QT. Getting ready to start stocking my 180. Thinking because of the process length, may be getting fish to QT while the main tank is cycling.
I have 3 QT tanks - a 20 gal and 2 10 gallons. All separate filtration of course. Looking to possibly start with some Mathias and a tang. Any help would be great! I’ve dealt with the ich outbreak from stupid advice. Have had some bad luck in QT but know it is worth it.
I had 2 cardinals. One died pretty quickly. The other just never looked quite right so I refused to put her in the main tank. Lost her too. But glad it didn’t wipe my system. I’ll get better at QT but it’s a skill!!

 

I tried the nutramar ova this morning. I put 2 straws together and used a turkey baster to shoot food down to where it is. I'll try again tonight. If I do cp, it's not a big deal to remove the 2 rocks and put them in a tub with airstone to keep anything on them alive. There are a few pcs of rubble that had pods living in them but they are just rubble. And I'll take a couple of the plastic plants out as well. the female is on the large ceramic piece. I'll give them a couple days of target feeding.

If they aren't eating, should I add prazi just in case? the barbar shop goby was eating last night. No idea where it is today

 

I haven't used cp yet. No meds. If the mandys don't start eating or moving around, should I start a medication. And if so, which one. I know I can do prazi, followed by carbon, then cp. Or is api general cure a better route. I also have rallys and paraguard. I want as low stress as reasonable, for me too....

 

Okay, tomorrow, I'll remove the larger rocks, not the few pcs of rubble, and start cp. I actually took out 2 of the plastic plants as what I put in are bottom fish and I want to see them while the plants were for mid to top swimmers. The male hasn't moved at all today, the female is resting on one of the openings to the ceramic tower.

Should I use a bit more than needed to compensate for sand?