Adding Fish With No Quarantine Tank

[Dennis The Mennis]

I have no way of setting up a quarantine tank. The only isolation I could provide for the new arrivals would maybe be a bucket or tub in the garage for a few hours. I’d like to add 6-10 corys, (LFS has albinos on sale for 2 bucks each). I have a single 125 with six discus. I know this will be a huge gamble adding additional fish. What steps can I take to help insure success and reduce problems? The only thing I can think of is maybe adding some meds to the tank. However, I don't have a clue as to what or how I should go about that.

[Orange Crush]

I know this will be a huge gamble adding additional fish.
It is a huge gamble, are you willing to risk the discus for $12-$20 worth of fish? If you add them without QT and you end up with sick/dead discus how much will that cost you to treat/replace them? Why not spend money on a cheap 10 or 20 gal aquarium kit instead?

[Dennis The Mennis]

Money isnt the problem. It comes down to a promise I made to my wife. I promised only one tank this time. But you're right, I do not want to loose my discus over a few corys. But I would like to add them.

[Bill63SG]

Your playing russian roulette with your tank,but given the information,I'm not going to waste our time telling you what not to do.I would probably hit the tank with a dose of prazi-pro,and if you can,lower the level in the 125 so you don't have to use so much med.Don't take this as a " its ok to do it this way".

[DonMD]

QT is the only way. BUT if you insist on adding fish, then I would highly recommend finding a sponsor here on Simply who has the fish you want. This way you're much more likely to get very healthy fish. Not guaranteed, but more likely. I would not put anything from a LFS in with health discus. Just my opinion.

[1Chuck9669]

I don't mean to intrude on the agreement you have with your wife, but rationalize it to her this way. You need to have a quarantine / hospital tank. It is better to be prepared than not. I agree with Orange Crush, a 10 or 20 gallon kit you can pick up at one of the pet box stores is the way to go. Personally, I would go with a 20. When not in use, store it. This way you really only have one tank going at a time and you have a smaller tank at the ready for the times you need it. WAY better than gambling with your Discus. Just my opinion...please take it with a grain of salt. :)

[zimmjeff]

we all make that " promise " at one time or another, and we don't keep that one. Tell her you had your fingers crossed then buy jewelry. Good luck.

[zimmjeff]

I've broke that promise 1, 2, 3, well alot.

[Orange Crush]

Money isnt the problem. It comes down to a promise I made to my wife. I promised only one tank this time. But you're right, I do not want to loose my discus over a few corys. But I would like to add them.
I would imagine the promise was made because she either 1) does not want you spending more $ on the hobby or 2) she does not want tanks taking up more space.
Explain to her that a 10-20 gal does not take up much room and will save a lot of $ in the long run because you will not have to pay to replace as many fish from not doing a QT and you will not have to use as much medicine in a much smaller tank than the big one you have now.
or you could get a new wife.....;)

[Orange Crush]

we all make that " promise " at one time or another, and we don't keep that one. Tell her you had your fingers crossed then buy jewelry. Good luck.
No I was smarter than that, I never made that promise because I knew I would never keep it! lol

[Dennis The Mennis]

She just knows my behavior. I typically do not do anything small. I usually jump into everything all the way. When we got together, I had nine tanks in my one bedroom apartment. Our first house, I had tanks everywhere plus a dedicated fish room. Our second house, is when I got rid of all my fish. Well, as we were looking at our third house, it had a perfect spot for a tank and I claimed it before we even bought the house. But I made the promise not to be so obsessive this time. And, well, I want to keep it. Sure I could do it. But I know exactly where that road leads. And I am just too busy to do it again. So, It’s just the one tank and one tank only.

On a side note, I didn't get the corys today. I got a nice extra large piece of Malaysian driftwood instead. I was talking to the owner about my problem. He might have someone who could keep them for me. However, I am not really sure what to think about having someone else do this.

[Bill63SG]

we all make that " promise " at one time or another, and we don't keep that one. Tell her you had your fingers crossed then buy jewelry. Good luck.Easier to ask forgivness then permission.

[magewynd]

Have you thought about one of the small Rubbermaid storage containers? Sponge filter and heater, quarantine for a few weeks then use it for something else, like storing something (extra fish stuff). Out of sight, out of mind. Some have bred their plecos in these things.

[Second Hand Pat]

Dennis, I personally like to eyeball any fish I have in a QT on a daily basis. Good luck with this but a QT is a necessary item in my book for maintaining healthy fish and it is only setup on an as needed basis.