Cross contamination between SW and FW?

[Philipgonzales3]

Is cross contamination between a freshwater tank and a saltwater tank (and vice versa) a concern?

We have both tanks and it has been something I've been curious about. I asked one of my LFSes (plural of LFS?) and they said it is not a concern. The employee said something along the lines of if they put a net in a tank with a sick fish they put it in the opposite type of tank next. He implied this sanitizes the net or whatever the correct term is for killing any "bugs".

This is not one of my favorite LFSes. It is rather dirty looking, smelly, and they always seem to have a lot of dead fish. They did have the medication I needed for my freshwater tank in stock though (API Furan 2).

I have what I suspect to be columnaris in my frwshwater tank that is currently being treated with Furan 2, General Cure and Kanaplex.

 

[ShaunRobinson]

This is not one of my favorite LFSes. It is rather dirty looking, smelly, and they always seem to have a lot of dead fish.

This should tell you all you need to know about their ‘advice’...

I would always have 2 complete sets of husbandry equipment (nets, feeders etc.) for 2 different tanks regardless of their chemistry.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

This should tell you all you need to know about their ‘advice’...

I would always have 2 complete sets of husbandry equipment (nets, feeders etc.) for 2 different tanks regardless of their chemistry.

That was my initial thinking. During this last trip someone mentioned a dead fish to the worker. The worker put his hand in the tank, the fish still had a little life left and the worker said well he's not quite dead yet.

Not sure what the main point of that is but it was a little awkward.

 

[Marco S]

I have both Fresh and Salt water tanks as well and keep separate sets of tools for each tank, but the fact that a freshwater dip kills saltwater parasites and flukes and a salt bath kills freshwater parasites and worms would lead me to believe that cross contamination between the two isn't an issue. Either way, it's always better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Gonebad395]

As said above that should tell you all you need to know about them. My local fish store is owned by family and I trust their advice because they know what they are talking about. New employees are taught and paid well to stay. Heck 4 non family members employed there have been there for over 15 yrs and know their stuff. I usually have to get to know a lfs employee and talk with them awhile to feel comfortable with them. Some don’t know some don’t care some just want to sell you something no matter the fit for your system. The way a shopkeeper keeps his store front says a lot on how they keep their livestock. Trust your instincts for the most part they lead you astray.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

I have both Fresh and Salt water tanks as well and keep separate sets of tools for each tank, but the fact that a freshwater dip kills saltwater parasites and flukes and a salt bath kills freshwater parasites and worms would lead me to believe that cross contamination between the two isn't an issue. Either way, it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Ok, good point. I already have two sets of everything. Honestly I hadn't been keeping them separate, but I think I'll mark them and keep them separate from now on. No reason not to at this point (except laziness).

 

[Philipgonzales3]

As said above that should tell you all you need to know about them. My local fish store is owned by family and I trust their advice because they know what they are talking about. New employees are taught and paid well to stay. Heck 4 non family members employed there have been there for over 15 yrs and know their stuff. I usually have to get to know a lfs employee and talk with them awhile to feel comfortable with them. Some don’t know some don’t care some just want to sell you something no matter the fit for your system. The way a shopkeeper keeps his store front says a lot on how they keep their livestock. Trust your instincts for the most part they lead you astray.

True, I forget to mention they have a coral section. From what I remember they have a Current USA fixture over thier coral tanks. From what I saw most of the coral looked in pretty bad shape. Lots of algea covering them, etc. I mean I don't know a lot about coral but I wouldn't buy any from this place. But I would still stop in to buy supplies since it's one of the closest stores.

My favorite store (the only reef shop in the area from what I know) happens to be the furthest. So if I'm short on time a lot of times I have to go somewhere closer.