Please tell me how to set up a QT tank

[djmpj2]

We have our tank up about a month. We finished cycling and bought 2 false percs clowns about 2 weeks (don't know for sure, but I think they are tank bred). They are doing great. Eating and swimming good all over the tank. (Tank was set up with store bought salt water from [acronym:69924f6391="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:69924f6391] and water change has been done with the same).

The only other tank mates are 2 snails and about 6 small hermit crabs. There is no aggression and the percs are inseparable. Never go after each other. They eat like little pigs. We are feeding a small pinch of Tetra Marine Flakes twice a day.

Water parameters are ammonia: 0, [acronym:69924f6391="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:69924f6391] 8.3, Nitrite: 0 , Nitrates: 0, temp 79F, Salinity: 1.022-1.023.

2 days ago one of the percs got this white dot on it's back. It looks like a little tiny fuzzy. It is on it's top back, right in that spot where there is no fin. He seems totally unaffected by it. No scratching or anything.

We are afraid this is ich. We would like to get prepared and put together a [acronym:69924f6391="quarantine or quart depending on context"]qt[/acronym:69924f6391]/hospital tank (are they the same thing)? What do we need? A small tank (10 or 20 gallons) a [acronym:69924f6391="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:69924f6391] filter, a heater? I have an extra MaxiJet1200 [acronym:69924f6391="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:69924f6391], should I use that or is that too much? What about a light? I don't see anyone mention that, but if he is going to be in there for 6 weeks, won't he need a light?

In the event this does spread into ich, should I put both fish in there and treat both? They are inseparable since they joined us. I can't imagine separating them for 6 weeks!

If it's not ich, how will I know? How long before the total outbreak? I just ordered a yellow tang from LiveAquaria.com (before seing this white dot) for delivery this Saturday. I am going call and postpone delivery. Will I know by next Saturday if this is a false alarm?

[acronym:69924f6391="Thanks in Advance"]TIA[/acronym:69924f6391]

DJ

[tbrock]

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/showqu...q=2&fldAuto=17
That should help.

[Thumper]

Get both in a [acronym:df7c5d4bc1="quarantine or quart depending on context"]qt[/acronym:df7c5d4bc1] tank [acronym:df7c5d4bc1="As soon as possible"]asap[/acronym:df7c5d4bc1]. The sooner the better. As for as figuring out what they are I cant help much there but I know I screwed up bigtime and let my problem go to far. [acronym:df7c5d4bc1="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:df7c5d4bc1] every new fish before adding to the new tank. I learned the hard way

[djmpj2]

Thank you for the article.. very helpful. However, if doesn't address lights in the [acronym:aab90435ac="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:aab90435ac]. Any comment on that?

At what point do I decide this is ich? How long should this one dot remain on the fish before it becomes many dots? I don't want to jump the gun on this thing if I am just being obsessive.

Since I only have the 2 clowns (and some snails/crabs) what would be the drawback of treating my whole (display) tank for ich? Would it kill my snails and crabs?

The one dot looks like a mini fuzz ball, like a pill you might get on a sweater. Very tiny. Is that what the beginning stage of ich looks like?

DJ

[quarryshark]

However, if doesn't address lights in the [acronym:a23f8bb549="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:a23f8bb549]. Any comment on that?

Normal room lights are fine. Just give them the normal photoperiod.

Since I only have the 2 clowns (and some snails/crabs) what would be the drawback of treating my whole (display) tank for ich?

More drawbacks than I can list here, please don't do it.

Would it kill my snails and crabs?

Without a doubt, plus most likely all your live rock.

The one dot looks like a mini fuzz ball, like a pill you might get on a sweater. Very tiny. Is that what the beginning stage of ich looks like?

It very well may be. Here is an excellent article on ich, along with a picture of an extreme case.
http://www.petsforum.com/personal/tr...marineich.html

[djmpj2]

OK, I am definetly setting up the hospital tank this weekend either way. I will not treat the whole tank. What about a Power Head? should I use the MaxiJet1200 or is that too much movement? Can I put the fish in as soon as I set it up?

Do I have to treat them for ich right away? Can't I wait to BE SURE this is what I have? Everything I read says it is a bunch of dots, like sand or powder. This is only ONE dot and it is not small like a grain of sand. It is like a fuzz ball or a pimple.

DJ

[quarryshark]

Originally Posted by djmpj2

OK, I am definetly setting up the hospital tank this weekend either way. I will not treat the whole tank. What about a Power Head? should I use the MaxiJet1200 or is that too much movement? Can I put the fish in as soon as I set it up?

Do I have to treat them for ich right away? Can't I wait to BE SURE this is what I have? Everything I read says it is a bunch of dots, like sand or powder. This is only ONE dot and it is not small like a grain of sand. It is like a fuzz ball or a pimple.

DJ

You can wait, but I would still get the [acronym:10f73d100b="quarantine or quart depending on context"]qt[/acronym:10f73d100b] tank set up so you are ready in case things start to go south. [acronym:10f73d100b="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:10f73d100b], once a positive [acronym:10f73d100b="Identify"]ID[/acronym:10f73d100b] is made, I would treat.
You don't need a [acronym:10f73d100b="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:10f73d100b], a simple trickle filter would be better [acronym:10f73d100b="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:10f73d100b].
Here is a picture of my 10 gallon [acronym:10f73d100b="quarantine or quart depending on context"]qt[/acronym:10f73d100b] tank.
[acronym:10f73d100b="Hope this helps (or) Happy to help"]HTH[/acronym:10f73d100b]

[djmpj2]

OK, thank you for that picture! what would you consider a positve [acronym:b0f68885d9="Identify"]ID[/acronym:b0f68885d9] of itch? If the spots multiply?

No substrate in a [acronym:b0f68885d9="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:b0f68885d9]?

[acronym:b0f68885d9="Thanks in Advance"]TIA[/acronym:b0f68885d9]

DJ

[quarryshark]

No substrate in a [acronym:69b1000aef="quarantine or quart depending on context"]QT[/acronym:69b1000aef]?

Correct, if meds were used, substrate would absorb them.
As for [acronym:69b1000aef="Identify"]ID[/acronym:69b1000aef], can you get us a pic? I know its a tough call sometimes.

[djmpj2]

I tired for a long time last night to get a picture, but I can't get anything but a blurry shot of the clown, which means you can't see this dot at all.

Any idea when/what cicumstances will determine this is ich?

DJ