Quarantine tank questions...

[johnnyphish]

I am in the process of setting up my 35 gal former reef tank as a quarantine tank for new fish, or perhaps for fish from my larger reef tank that aren't doing well. Two questions:

(1) Are there some general guidelines about how to be treating/medicating a quarantine tank for new fish in terms of inoculating them from whatever fungal or parasitic stuff they may be carrying after purchase? Like low levels of copper or some anti-fungal meds?

(2) Are there any generally hardy corals that might be okay in a quarantine tank as described above? This will not be a reef tank per se, but just wondering. (Can I have my cake and eat it too?) Also, how does coralline algae do in a medicated quarantine tank?

Thanks!

 

[Jekyl]

Here's the setup and answer to question 1.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/current-quarantine-protocol.825055/
As for question 2, no corals or inverts can be added. The medicine used in quarantine is toxic to them.

 

[Shnetts]

(2) Are there any generally hardy corals that might be okay in a quarantine tank as described above? This will not be a reef tank per se, but just wondering. (Can I have my cake and eat it too?) Also, how does coralline algae do in a medicated quarantine tank

if your not medicating you can add coral, you could do a observation qt tank.

But if your medicating then absolutely nothing can be in the tank besides fish

 

[MnFish1]

I am in the process of setting up my 35 gal former reef tank as a quarantine tank for new fish, or perhaps for fish from my larger reef tank that aren't doing well. Two questions:

(1) Are there some general guidelines about how to be treating/medicating a quarantine tank for new fish in terms of inoculating them from whatever fungal or parasitic stuff they may be carrying after purchase? Like low levels of copper or some anti-fungal meds?

As @Jekyl said - the quarantine protocol recommended here is in his link. There is no role in treating for fungal diseases (which are very rare in marine tanks as compared to freshwater). Parasitic disease is controlled by the protocol. Low dose copper is not recommended due to the fact that it can mask problems, there is a (low low) potential for development of resistance and there can be side effects.

(2) Are there any generally hardy corals that might be okay in a quarantine tank as described above? This will not be a reef tank per se, but just wondering. (Can I have my cake and eat it too?) Also, how does coralline algae do in a medicated quarantine tank?

No unfortunately you can't keep corals in a medicated tank. And the other thing is that you don't need to keep the tank medicated or even running all of the time. Only when you buy new fish to quarantine them, or when you want to treat a disease from your display tank.

In a quarantine tank it's often best to use inert materials for 'hiding places' - like PVC pipe. A sponge filter is enough for filtration (with an airstone). No carbon, etc.

Thanks!