QT set up questions

[Crimsontopper]

So I am setting up a QT for my system and I am a little confused about the process as there seems to be a lot of conflicting opinions. Here are my questions.

1. How do you maintain beneficial bacteria in the system? With no rocks/substrate where do they live? Can I use maripure balls to keep bacteria going, or will they absorb the copper?

2. How long do I need to keep the fish in QT? I have seen 30 days and 60 days.

3. How long do I need to keep the fish in copper?

4. Are watchman gobies safe to be in copper?

5. What about inverts? Obviously they can't be in copper, but what about keeping them alive? My tank is at the point that I need a few more inverts to keep the uglies at bay. If I am getting them to combat algae, what do they eat in QT, when there is no algae since its a temporary tank?

 

[James M]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-to-quarantine.189815/

For inverts : https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/coral-invert-quarantine-time-frames.334584/

 

[Brew12]

1. How do you maintain beneficial bacteria in the system? With no rocks/substrate where do they live? Can I use maripure balls to keep bacteria going, or will they absorb the copper?

I let them live in the sponge of my HOB filter. You can use the bio balls but they can absorb copper. With a Hanna copper test kit it is easy to maintain copper at the right level even with a little absorption imo.

2. How long do I need to keep the fish in QT? I have seen 30 days and 60 days.

Lots of opinions on this. I rarely even did 30 days but there are a lot of different methods that can be used.

3. How long do I need to keep the fish in copper?

My preference is 8 to 10 days in copper with a transfer to a clean tank. If you can't transfer them to a clean tank then 30 days in copper is best.

4. Are watchman gobies safe to be in copper?

Yup, should be fine. Here is a handy chart for most common fish.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/fish-and-treatment-guidelines-with-chart.283450/

5. What about inverts? Obviously they can't be in copper, but what about keeping them alive? My tank is at the point that I need a few more inverts to keep the uglies at bay. If I am getting them to combat algae, what do they eat in QT, when there is no algae since its a temporary tank?

Inverts are a challenge. I get my CuC members from Reefcleaners.org since they don't keep fish in their systems. Makes it very unlikely for them to bring in a fish parasite or disease. I put them straight into my DT. If I get a more decorative kind from a LFS I will QT them and feed them based on the type.