MarkW19 said:
All I'm also using are 2 seeded sponges and 3 mugs for bacteria. Doesn't really seem to be enough though!
Your right, it isn't. The mugs will not be a very viable for bacterial colonization as they are much too smooth. Inert types of plastic are a much better choice due to the porous nature allowing them to hold infinately more bacteria for the same dimensions. You also need to be sure that the sponges are well rinsed in
SW every few days (or daily) to prevent detritus and food build up which if not done will add to the problem. Syphoning out uneaten foods and detritus after each feeding is also a must. Sponge filters are a decent type of filtration for a
QT but do not offer much in the way of water movement so you should really add even a low flow powerhead at the surface to encourage proper gas exchange.
Water changes in even a well set up
QT are still going to be a must depending on tank size and fish load especially if meds are used. The larger the tank and smaller the load the less it may require. Be vary wary of your feeding routine as well. The fish does not need feeding as much as you might think. Depending on it's health, you could easily feed every second day or if daily, very small portions and not all at once. Only add enough the fish can eat in a minute or less. That way you will not have much uneaten foods although detritus would still be a concern.
Someone volunteered, but it transpires that he uses a 4-day medicine on all new fish in the same tank, TMC Marine Cure, then watches the fish for a week to make sure they're eating etc., then he puts them in the main tank.
Extremely dangerous and should be avoided. I looked online but could not find any reference to the med you speak of so I couldn't judge effectiveness unless you where able to get an ingredient list. I can tell you though that treating fish prophylatically is hit and miss at best. Depending on what's used, it will not be effective against everything and 4 days is not nearly enough time for any cure to work effectively.
IME, this person has been extremeley lucky and I would be quite confident in saying the fish had no ailments from the start.
He says a lot of his fish get slight whitespot from time to time but he just leaves it and it goes away. He says he's never lost a fish to whitespot.
Bunk! Many wrongly assume that a spot on a fish automatically means ich when quite often it's simpley an anomoly. MIsdiagnosis of a problem will kill the fish just as fast as doing nothing in some cases. As far as this persons claims, I'd be quite interested to know the details of the set up, fish list and tank age.
IMO, you are not being given an accurate account.
Part of me thinks you dont get anything if you dont take risks, but then again its not fair on the other fish if they get whitespot etc. so it's not really worth the risk. So I do want to do it properly, but dont seem to be having much luck at all.
The best suggestion I can give you is to upgrade the size of the
QT to possibley a 20
gal long, see if you can pick up a used
HOB filter to add biospace and water flow, add plastic
PVC instead of the mugs using more than 3 and finally cycle the
QT as if it where a new tank instead of simpley seeding it. The cycle would allow for the proper colonization of bateria to easily deal with the wastes of one fish. The seeded sponge filter is a good option but should really be reserved as an emergency step and not for all set ups, at least until you get a better feel for how to get a successful handle on it. If the fish goes through without an ailment, you will most likely only need weekly water changes. If the fish needs treatment that would change though.
Cheers
Steve
How much food would you put in each day - the same amount as I'd feed one fish?
