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Thread: QT tank yes or no?
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22-05-2021, 02:13 PM #1
QT tank yes or no?
Ok so I'm still learning but,,,,
QT tank to isolate a sick fish for treatment definitely get that.
QT tank for new arrivals???
Here's my thinking, I think we can all agree koi carry parasites/bacteria constantly but can cope with out issues provided the water quality is good ect.
So let's say you buy a new fish, QT for 14 days looks good so you put it in your pond, the parasites/bacteria are still there on the fish, also the risk of your fish infecting new fish must be equal to the risk of the new fish infecting your fish
So in summary, is QT for new arrivals actually going to achieve anything.
Discuss.
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Last edited by Big nige; 22-05-2021 at 02:27 PM.
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22-05-2021, 04:43 PM #2
Hi Nige
i used to have a quarantine/grow on but not any more.
Though thinking I may build a small grow on tank to have a little fun with again
I’m not really sure when buying a koi it’s worth putting in a quarantine first, just more stress for the koi to go through, also then will it be on its own! Or your buying at least two koi, or moving one out of the main pond all upheaval for the fish!
I personally put them straight in but will only buy from a dealer I feel will do there part correctly, quarantine the koi and heat ramp it.
I have only bought koi recently from Gatwick koi (I feel Gary is one of the best at doing this) or maybe cuttle brook if they have what I’m looking for.
just my take, it seem to work for me!
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22-05-2021, 09:50 PM #3
I'd say definitely go for a Qt.
When I built my pond I thought, if any have parasites just treat them in the pond and hey presto, they're gone.
But the reality is, I've been dealing with one form of parasite or another since I started my pond in October 2019. And quite frankly I'm sick of the little f*&kers.
Part of the problem is I'm still definitely in the stage of adding fish. So even if I wipe out one lot (of parasites), I'm likely to get another lot as soon as I add new fish.
So I'm building a Qt at the mo. Plan is I'll get all new fish in it and will keep them in there for a few months. Both to detect parasites, but also to get some growth before going in the main pond.
I'll also use it as a hospital tank for any fish that need it.
I want to eventually get rid of it once I'm happy with the stock. Although I suspect that place doesn't actually exist. But hopefully the kit wont lose too much value when it comes to selling it on.
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22-05-2021, 09:56 PM #4
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22-05-2021, 11:02 PM #5
If I could have a QT I would 100% have it. I think it's a no brainer personally. If you get new koi, scrape them and add to the QT you could ensure that anything they are carrying goes no further. If you don't see anything on the first scrapes maybe do your own heat ramping for a month and scrape again or just see the behaviour as the last thing you want to do is add something like Trich or Flukes into your pond, that would mean PP which will knock your filters etc and may upset your fish too.
I recently added 3 fish, a nisai Showa & 2 Adam Byer Tosai a few weeks later, and one of the tosai and the Nisai were soon producing extra mucus which obviously worried me no end so scraped and found tons of flukes on one of my older stock as well as a few on the new fish. I am not sure whether the new fish brought them or they was already present but either way I could have avoided it with a QT as I could have added the fish to a clean environment after quarantining them myself and scraping them, having already dealt with anything present in the pond. I added my second dose of Fluke M today and already the fish showing mucus have cleaned up a lot so hopefully this will be the end of them for now, but I have Fluke S to treat with next if the scrapes are not clean next weekend.
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22-05-2021, 11:07 PM #6
An interesting thread...
I display the following article at my premise, however:
- The vast majority of keepers do not have QT systems for a variety of reasons.
- Unfortunately adding new Koi (regardless of where from) is a game of ‘Russian roulette’ however how many ‘bullets are in the chamber’ can be reduced by strong diligence, processes and above all HONESTY that are undertaken before the Koi is purchased by the keeper.
INTRODUCING NEW KOI TO YOUR POND
Is introducing new Koi directly into your pond worth risking the lives of all of your existing fish?
If this question causes you to stop and think, then you need to set up a decent quarantine system (before you bring home any new fish).
Despite our regular health checks, close behaviour monitoring and strict sourcing, there are unfortunately no guarantees in the Koi world, but the more effort you put into it the better your results will be.
Here are several levels of quarantine to choose from.
Basic - Bring the new koi home, float for 20 minutes, release them in to the pond and hope for the best.
Easy - Release them in to an adequate separate container and watch them for a few days. If all looks well, release them in to the pond and hope for the best.
Better - Release them in to an adequate separate container. Maintain mid 70s temperature, good filtration, good aeration, get them eating and watch them for at least 3 weeks. If all looks well, release them in to the pond.
Best - Release them in to a large well prepared separate quarantine system with all dedicated equipment. Everything should be separate from what is used in the main pond (separate nets, bowls, etc.). Maintain mid 70s temperature, good filtration, good aeration, get them eating and watch them for at least 2 weeks. Do microscope scrapings to check for parasites. If all looks well, then add a fish from your pond to the quarantine tank and watch them for 6 weeks. If all is well after this 8 week total period, release them in to the pond.
The only things that can be done beyond this would be to hold the new fish separately for a full year and for a very valuable koi collection, blood serology testing might be appropriate.
Cheers
GazHobby and business gone but when you’re hooked you’re hooked.
Always happy to help!!
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23-05-2021, 06:02 AM #7
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23-05-2021, 06:08 AM #8
That’s it mate...
As we know all Koi carry virus, pathogens etc... so yes ‘checking’ in a controlled and stock limiting environment can be a good way to check for any ‘clashes’ without impacting the entire collection. Trust me - NOT many will ever follow this though.
Cheers
GazHobby and business gone but when you’re hooked you’re hooked.
Always happy to help!!
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23-05-2021, 06:15 AM #9
Thanks Gaz, that answers my question on how to avoid what I was thinking with the original post next dilemma is which of my fish has been naughty enough to go in detention with the new kids
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23-05-2021, 06:38 AM #10Hobby and business gone but when you’re hooked you’re hooked.
Always happy to help!!
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Ajm Thanked / Liked this Post
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23-05-2021, 09:40 AM #11
The problem most will find is having the space to fit a qt I assume most will have the pond take up the big footprint with filter space separate then trying to squeeze a qt in they have no space I have just enough room in my filter shed for a blue tub grow on /qt it would be to small for any serious fish only holding 250 ltr but it can qt any grow ons or small new arrivalsite but not many
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paulbaines, Gazkoi Thanked / Liked this Post
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23-05-2021, 10:51 AM #12
As always it’s space and money. I have a qt in the garage which works well especially when it’s raining and the filters need a clean. Is it worth it, well I had a couple of fish in this year for the grow on and a little yamabuki started flashing like a mad man a couple of days in, much easier to treat in 500 gallons rather than the pond
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23-05-2021, 01:17 PM #13
While I agree with Gaz I think if you may find that most koi probably come out of a Quarantine tank worst for wear unless it’s run all the time and the media has matured.
I used to have a tank 600g, would take mature media from the pond to run it.
Being a small puddle the parameters could change very quick and not to the new koi’s favour. The stresses it’s already been through and then being introduced to a new pond I would like to bet that the death rate for these koi is very high (within the first year of going into the pond)
I don’t buy many koi these days so as said get from a good dealer that quarantines, I then scrape the koi and salt bath it before going into the pond, unless you quarantine for 6 months I’m not sure it’s worth it.
I am at the moment looking at a new tank not really for quarantine more as a small grow on, a little fun.
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23-05-2021, 01:21 PM #14
Good points sim, something else to consider now, it's a minefield isn't it
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23-05-2021, 03:29 PM #15Hobby and business gone but when you’re hooked you’re hooked.
Always happy to help!!
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23-05-2021, 07:42 PM #16Freddyboy the legend
"we are water keepers first"
Johnathan
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Gazkoi Thanked / Liked this Post
Best plants to remove Nitrate
pug has a very impressive veg filter on his pond, have a look at some of his his youtube videos....