New 14G BioCube team w/ my 11 year old son

franklingt3

franklingt3

New Member
I really wish we found you guys and gals sooner, would have saved alot of Q & A!

We have been up and running for about a month and a half now, started w/ ~12# LR, RO water. Tank tests all fine. Introduced domino damsel and clown fish, appx 2 weeks ago. My local shop recommended adding a turbo snail and a shrimp to clean up residual algae on glass and rocks. All going well, but have salt like flecks on both fish. They are acting fine, eating well, but these small flecks worry us! We planned to add inverts in the future.

I wish I knew of the preventative measures we could have taken (as I read today in the forums). Please help!
 
franklingt3

franklingt3

New Member
It soulds like MI to me after working my way through the forums. I will see if i can get a pic of the damsel posted for feedback. I just wanted to understand the diagnosis, in order to determine which treatment direction to take.

Looks like a hospital tank for 8 weeks is the way to go. If so, anyone have idea as to how to get one up an running as quickly and efficiently as possible for a small amount of fish??
 
S

slysock

Member
You could but a small ten gallon tank with a hang on back filter, small heater, and a small light to use as the quarantine/ hospital tank. and within the tank you could have various pvc tubing/elbows for hiding spots. it doesn't have to be fancy, just something cheap and effective.
 
franklingt3

franklingt3

New Member
OK, let me see if I have this correct. I have likely contracted MI in my 14 gallon BioCube. I have 2 small fish, a 1 1/2 " damsel and a 1 1/2" clown as well as a green crab, fireshrimp and a turbo snail. I understand I need to run my display tank for 8 weeks without fish to rid it or starve the MI.

Is it sufficient to quarintine and treat these critters together in an established QT? Will a 10 gallon size be sufficient, as my space is limited.

Am I correct that I can start with a fresh mix of RO water and my salt mix. Should I seed the sponge filter with a commercial bacteria or by dipping it or running it for a short time in my display tank? (won't that introduce the MI to the new tank?)

Finally, appx. how long will it take for my QT to cycle, if I seed it with food as indicated?

Thanks in advance for a great newbee-friendly forum set!
 
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