Quarantine Tips!

hello!

so i'm quarantining my first batch of new fish I want to introduce to my display tank. I purchased a small 6 gallon tank and added 12 small rummynose tetras. i've added a heater at 78 degrees, and a cycled sponge filter from my display tank. but i've been running into an issue where my ammonia would shoot up real high everyday.

is this because i'm feeding them everyday and their pooping a lot?
do I have too many fish for this quarantine?
would you recommend keeping these fish in this tank or get a larger quarantine tank for the future?

I almost feel like they're more stressed in this tank than if I just moved them into my display tank. i've been doing daily water changes and was able to lower my ammonia to 0.25. all my other water parameters are normal except my ammonia. this is my first time quarantining fish so any help would be helpful!

thanks,
ben

 

hello!

so i'm quarantining my first batch of new fish I want to introduce to my display tank. I purchased a small 6 gallon tank and added 12 small rummynose tetras. i've added a heater at 78 degrees, and a cycled sponge filter from my display tank. but i've been running into an issue where my ammonia would shoot up real high everyday.

is this because i'm feeding them everyday and their pooping a lot?
do I have too many fish for this quarantine?
would you recommend keeping these fish in this tank or get a larger quarantine tank for the future?

I almost feel like they're more stressed in this tank than if I just moved them into my display tank. i've been doing daily water changes and was able to lower my ammonia to 0.25. all my other water parameters are normal except my ammonia. this is my first time quarantining fish so any help would be helpful!

thanks,
ben

Hello! That tank is a bit small for quarantine in my opinion. For future, try to get a 10 gallon. Also, in that small of a tank it is best to only qt 2-3 fish at a time. When your eventually add all those fish to your display tank, it will cause the ammonia to explode so it is best to only add a couple at a time. Be sure to use prime water conditioner to detoxify ammonia in the 6 g.

 

Hello! That tank is a bit small for quarantine in my opinion. For future, try to get a 10 gallon. Also, in that small of a tank it is best to only qt 2-3 fish at a time. When your eventually add all those fish to your display tank, it will cause the ammonia to explode so it is best to only add a couple at a time. Be sure to use prime water conditioner to detoxify ammonia in the 6 g.

thank you for the tips! what do you mean ammonia would explode in display? is it because i'm adding more bioload to my tank?

 

Ben
It sure sounds like you are doing everything correct regarding QT. You might have lost some BB during the transfer of the cycled sponge to the QT tank. That might explain the ammonia problem. Of course a larger tank is usually better, but Rummynoses (one of my favorites) aren't big waste producers. Your QT tank should be fine. There is no doubt that QT is the safest method of introducing new fish, but no method is guaranteed. I'd venture to say that the majority of fishkeepers don't QT.
It's always a judgement call when to introduce the new fish into the main tank. If you do decide to cut short the planned QT duration, make sure the Rummynoses are in good shape and are eating. Hopefully no aggressive tank mates present. Make sure the main tank water temp is at least as warm as the QT tank. Good luck.

 

Ben
It sure sounds like you are doing everything correct regarding QT. You might have lost some BB during the transfer of the cycled sponge to the QT tank. That might explain the ammonia problem. Of course a larger tank is usually better, but Rummynoses (one of my favorites) aren't big waste producers. Your QT tank should be fine. There is no doubt that QT is the safest method of introducing new fish, but no method is guaranteed. I'd venture to say that the majority of fishkeepers don't QT.
It's always a judgement call when to introduce the new fish into the main tank. If you do decide to cut short the planned QT duration, make sure the Rummynoses are in good shape and are eating. Hopefully no aggressive tank mates present. Make sure the main tank water temp is at least as warm as the QT tank. Good luck.

thank you for the tips. so i'm just a bit concerned because the rummynose look a bit pale in the QT and I don't want to stress them out too much. but at the same time as soon as the LFS put the rummuynose into the bag they lost all their color. I do have a few questions if you don't mind.

how long do you usually QT before introducing?
do you medicate your fish while in QT? and how would I dose meds into a 6 gallon tank?
when transfering from QT to display do you just net and drop?

thank you!

 

Without any decor, it makes sense that the Rummynose's coloration would fade. I usually QT new fish for about two weeks. You can usually size them up by then. Really what you should be looking for is symptoms of major tank killing pathagens like Columnaris or internal disorders. Ick or Oodinium show up pretty quickly if they have it. I only medicate fish when neccessary, never as a preventative. Some use low octane herbal remedies (Ick Attack, Melafix) as a preventative. Probably wouldn't hurt.

 

Without any decor, it makes sense that the Rummynose's coloration would fade. I usually QT new fish for about two weeks. You can usually size them up by then. Really what you should be looking for is symptoms of major tank killing pathagens like Columnaris or internal disorders. Ick or Oodinium show up pretty quickly if they have it. I only medicate fish when neccessary, never as a preventative. Some use low octane herbal remedies (Ick Attack, Melafix) as a preventative. Probably wouldn't hurt.

thank you!