Quarantining fish?

reefrage · 2026-09-24T03:55:41-0400

i know it is a good thing to do, but have any long term hobbyists got by without doing it? even if i do decide to quarantine, how would i go about it? just observe or treat with medication? thank you in advance!

exnisstech · 2026-09-24T04:30:51-0400

Plenty of people do not QT at all. Others do observation. Others full medicated QT. I do not medicate but observe but I've been in the hobby a while and am very selective when I buy fish and never order fish online. Copper QT is recommended or purchasing from vendor that sells QTed fish is an option if you can't or don't want to QT. Not many things will ruin the hobby faster than loosing a tank to disease.
Here's some reading on current QT recommendations if you haven't seen it.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/current-quarantine-protocol.825055/

reefrage · 2026-09-24T05:49:17-0400

Thank you! i live in Tasmania, Australia and its an island so marine fish are limited. there is only two fish stores in the whole state that sell marine fish, and only one sells corals so buying fish local can be pricey.
If i really want a lot of options, i have to buy inline. also a quarantine tank is possible, just a bit of a pain to do

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Mr. Mojo Rising · 2026-09-24T06:39:32-0400

I don't like to suggest it, especially with new hobbyists, but it can be done, I haven't qt'd in about 20 years. The idea is complete stress reduction. I feel that lots of rock is important, fish need to hide, and they like to swim in and out of the rocks. If you have a minimum rockscape or just that one arch in the middle of the tank, then forget you need to qt. Keep a light fish load, peaceful and compatible fish only, and feed them often. Its complete stress reduction, any amount of stress can trigger hidden illnesses or disease.

reefrage · 2026-09-24T07:23:59-0400

i think i have enough rock work, but ill let you be the juje

Mr. Mojo Rising said:
I don't like to suggest it, especially with new hobbyists, but it can be done, I haven't qt'd in about 20 years. The idea is complete stress reduction. I feel that lots of rock is important, fish need to hide, and they like to swim in and out of the rocks. If you have a minimum rockscape or just that one arch in the middle of the tank, then forget you need to qt. Keep a light fish load, peaceful and compatible fish only, and feed them often. Its complete stress reduction, any amount of stress can trigger hidden illnesses or disease.

i think i have enough rock work, but ill let you be the judge of that. here is a link to a youtube channel that has my videos on it.
https://www.youtube.com/@AquaMarineTanksFish
ignore the old tank, i got rid of it. the one i have now ins in the newest video called my new Waterbox 220.6

also interested to hear if you buy fish online? as mentioned above you cant tell how healthy the fish is that way? thank

Mr. Mojo Rising · 2026-09-24T07:45:06-0400

reefrage said:
i think i have enough rock work, but ill let you be the juje

i think i have enough rock work, but ill let you be the judge of that. here is a link to a youtube channel that has my videos on it.
https://www.youtube.com/@AquaMarineTanksFish
ignore the old tank, i got rid of it. the one i have now ins in the newest video called my new Waterbox 220.6

also interested to hear if you buy fish online? as mentioned above you cant tell how healthy the fish is that way? thank

I've never bought a fish online and that might be a big part of it too, I live in the city and there are many LFS's here