Tank Talk Magazine March 2014 | Page 13

needs for breeding. Cover - A cover is essential to, reduce evaporation, minimize dust and airborne pollutants, and prevent the loss of fish that may be inclined to jump. Forget the Gravel - Gravel is not necessary for a QT, and is not recommended. With a simple, non medicated quarantine for new fish or breeding/fry care, just do the regular water changes according to the schedule you would normally use, and when the quarantine period is over, acclimatise the new fish to the main tank. For sick or injured fish, follow any recommendations for medicating if needed and water changes as directed. At the end of the treatment, do water changes and chemical filtration (i.e., carbon) as needed to clear the water of residual medicine, and then acclimatise the fish to the main tank as you would when adding new fish. Other Equipment - Practice Good Isolation Whenever there is Chance of Disease. Even if the quarantine tank is setup right next to your main tank/s, you should not allow any transfer of water or equipment between them. Having separate nets, buckets, siphons etc that are used only for the QT is essential to prevent the transfer of diseases. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and rinse them well after touching water in the QT. Always clean the tank and equipment well both before and after each use. Strip the tank and clean everything after you have used the QT for a new fish, treatments or for breeding. This will ensure next inmates will not be subjected to previous pathogens or bacteria. Depending on what kinds of illness or medications (if any) were used in the QT, cleaning can be as simple as a good rinsing and drying, you can use vinegar, a dilute bleach solution, or a little time in the sun to kill suspected pathogens.