i know it's late...

[murcos]

I just got a new copperband a few days ago, and put him in a q-tank when i got him. He's been being treated with copper the last 4 days...however, the nitrates in the tank soared. I don't know what happened because I took the water from the main tank, and today the levels were right on when I tested. The levels in the q-tank are currently, ammnia - 1, nitrite - .25, and nitrate 10(ppm). I did a quick water change when I found them high, and this is still the levels they are at. Is it better to leave him and continue with changes, or should I put him in the main tank to ensure he doesn't die from the high levels and maybe risk the other fish getting a disease if he isn't totally healthy? Please help!

[lando]

This is common in a [acronym:3cf435aecc="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:3cf435aecc]. Keep up on the water changes, up to several daily and complete the tx.

[murcos]

Another reefer last night on another site told me to put him into my main tank or else he would probably die. I acclimated him and released him in (and he does look happier) but should I have done this? Is this going to cause major problems in my main tank? I am in the process of upgrading my tank this weekend to a bigger tank, and all the fish I am getting (the person who gave me the tank is also giving me his fish, although I am not keeping most) wil be put in the q-tank when the levels settle down.

Thanks for the help...I appreciate the wisdom!

[BillyZ]

Originally Posted by murcos

... should I have done this? Is this going to cause major problems in my main tank?

If you were treating him with medication I assume it's because you were concerned he had a disease? If he hadn't fully recovered and you've released him into your display tank the worst case scenario could be you've exposed the rest of your tank to that disease.

all the fish I am getting ... wil be put in the q-tank when the levels settle down.

[acronym:94c948a9c0="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:94c948a9c0], dump and throughly clean your [acronym:94c948a9c0="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:94c948a9c0] after each use. You should be starting with fresh water from your main each time you need your [acronym:94c948a9c0="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:94c948a9c0].

[Fluff]

Adding a fish right into your main display is quite a gamble. Any disease it may be carrying has now contaminated your main tank and should you have a break out, all of your fish will then need to be [acronym:dfcbe8f2e3="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:dfcbe8f2e3]'d and treated. But, sometimes you get lucky. I hope this is the case for you. Good luck with your new fish.

[murcos]

THanks for the advice guys. I will keep my fingers crossed about the main tank.

Billy, I grew up in Buffalo! Nice to meet a fellow east coaster!

[melosu58]

Why were you treating him with copper. Did he have ick?

[murcos]

I was treating him with copper. I don't know if he had ick or not, but I try and quar all my new fish and treat just to be on the safe side.

[melosu58]

Well thats up to you but I would not treat them unless you know for sure. Some fish dont handle the copper too good. Purpose of [acronym:643ee046ab="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:643ee046ab] is to observe and see if treatment is needed. At least you do [acronym:643ee046ab="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:643ee046ab]

[Brenden]

As melosu said do not treat unless you know they have something. Copper treatment is hard on fish. [acronym:bb3547759e="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:bb3547759e] hypo is a much better treatment for ich.