Anyone can agree that having a tank wiped out by disease is a terrible experience and having to treat a reef system for ich or marine velvet is a lot of frustrating work. The best thing a hobbyist can do is avoid the issue from the start.
There are generally two ways of treatment for an infected fish: freshwater dipping and putting the fish in quarantine. Dipping is to be used as part of a treatment and is not to be used as the primary treatment or solution. Quarantine is effective on its own, but dipping can increase the rate of succession. It is best to know how to do both methods.
Quarantine Treatment
By putting your fish in quarantine, you are effectively preventing your saltwater aquarium or reef tank from getting any diseases the fish could 
potentially have and treating the fish for any diseases it could have. It can be used to prevent diseases or to treat an already infected fish.
Quarantine is also used to observe the fish for feeding habits, behavioral traits, and overall health.
Quarantine works by isolating a fish from the main display tank to stop diseases from spreading to other fish. It is a whole separate system, only set up to be a quarantine tank. It is not connected to the main display in any way. Without having any rocks and deep caves, it is much easier to net out a fish that need to be taken out of the tank. Quarantine tanks have a basic filtration system and some media within the tank to provide surface area for beneficial bacteria. Some even put sand in their quarantine setups, but I recommend not doing this.
During this time, the fish can be observed and treated for any diseases it has. The hobbyist can see how and what the fish eats. They can see if the fish is a coral eater or if the fish has a strange behavior of rubbing itself against the sand. If any issues with the fish are found, they can be researched and treated accordingly.
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Some people in the aquarium hobby may argue that quarantine is not necessary. They may say you can simply just dip or feed garlic or do some other “kind of works” method. In reality, these are just ways for lazy hobbyist to feel they are doing something about issues in their tank. If you want to be successful with your saltwater aquarium or a reef tank, you need to be productive in doing what is necessary to benefit your tank. This includes using a quarantine system. If you do not use a quarantine system, you are prone to have a fish with a disease to cause your whole tank to become infected or you may add a fish that does not eat the food you feed and now it is much harder to train that fish or take it back. Also, by being indolent with your quarantine system, you are essentially causing more strenuous work for yourself as a result. I can assure you that if you do not put your fish through quarantine before it goes into your display tank, you will regret it. It is better to take the advice in this article then find out by going through the tribulations for yourself.
Setting up a quarantine system is fairly simple. Find a tank that is a suitable size for most common saltwater fish to live in for up to five weeks, which would be anywhere from 20 to 75 gallons. The tank can be simple; it does not have to be nice. After you have a tank, you will need to decide a form of filtration to use. Generally, any kind of filtration will work. Most commonly hang on filters are used, which are fine. Additional media such as foam blocks or bio balls can be added to provide more surface area for beneficial bacteria. You may also want some kind of powerhead for water movement in the tank. A light can also be used to allow the fish to adjust to the aquarium day/night cycle but is not required. Lastly, you will want some sort of object to provide hiding spots for the fish to reduce stress. Big pieces and plumbing parts are typically used and work well. Avoid using live rock or any rock because it is known to soak up medication. Now, set up your tank and begin cycling it. You will need to do water changes; your goal is to keep the ammonia levels in the tank low. At this point, your tank should be ready for fish. Fish are most commonly put in quarantine for four weeks, but it depends on what is observed during quarantine. Observe your fish during for at least four weeks and research any results you find to determine treatment solutions.
Dip Method
The dip method is a treatment for parasitic fish diseases in which the fish is put into freshwater for several minutes. It is a method used as a pre-quarantine treatment and is not used on its own
to get rid of diseases. It can also be used during the quarantine process as a treatment to better fight off the disease.
Unlike invertebrates, marine fish are able to survive in water with decreased salinity levels for some amounts of time. Dipping works in this way by putting a marine fish in freshwater, which it
can survive in, to kill off parasites that are unable to handle the large reduction in salinity. This is not to say freshwater dipping does not cause stress to marine fish, as marine fish will become stressed and show signs of stress. They can only be in freshwater for certain amounts of time and will die if they are in for too long.
While quarantine is completely required to treat saltwater fish for diseases, dipping is not. It is not required, but it will greatly increase the chance of your fish surviving the disease. It is an extra step hobbyist can take to better ensure the survival of their new fish. When it comes to the reefing hobby, most people will agree that those extra steps are well worth it. It is simple and easy to do. So, why would you not do it?
To dip a fish you first need a container to put the fish in. A one-gallon bucket will work for single fish, but if you are looking to dip multiple fish, a five-gallon bucket will be more suitable. You will then need RO/DI or dechlorinated tap water to fill the container with. The water needs to have temperature and Ph level the same or somewhat near to the water that the fish is coming from. You may find that the RO/DI water is too low in Ph. In this case, it will be better to use dechlorinated tap water because it generally has raised Ph levels. It is very important to match the temperature and Ph of the water to reduce the stress of the fish and to have more successful results. You will also need an airstone to put in the container to keep the water agitated during the process. Now, simply put the fish into the freshwater and observe it or them closely. It is common to see the fish breathing heavily or rested on its side. They should be in the freshwater for about five minutes, but some fish may need to be removed earlier if they show extreme signs of stress.
Use the quarantine process to guarantee your display tank will not get any diseases your new fish have and to treat your new fish for any diseases they do have. Use dipping in addition to that to increase the chance of an infected fish surviving a disease and to simply further treat it.
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Mike Corcoran says
I have a nice big spot in my sum for a big refugium
Jessica Cruz says
I lost all of my fish to velvet 10 years ago. Since then, I have always quarantined fish, coral and invertebrates before adding them to my display tank. My 180 gallon is packed with fish and corals and has been for many years now! No aiptasia, pests or velvet!! I won’t ever “roll” the dice again and put something in my tank that hasn’t been quarantined.
PAT HILLIARD says
How does one quarantine fish like leopard wrasses that require a deep sand bed to burrow into to sleep, and super live rock for grazing purposes? These fish will not survive 4 weeks without these things. Their food supply, pods and forams, will not survive in a medicated quarantine tank.
D Shadle says
Some people put a glass dish with sand in it for them.
Chris Livingston says
I’ve been using those dips they sell in the store that you put your fish in after you acclimate them and haven’t had a problem. But it make sense to have a quarantine tank because most ich treatments will kill most invertebrates.
pdeolim says
Quarantine is a must, every fish ever time. Definitely one of those lessons you learn over time.
xylahilton says
thanks for the additional info. I will look int this
Cole presley says
Qt is so important
sally says
Quarantine is the only way to go. After fighting an ich attack, I learned a valuable lesson. Although I do not purchase fish very often, I keep my small Q tank raise macros in. When the urge hits to add to my livestock, I transfer the macro to my refugium of my display tank. I am set to go!
James McBryde says
I’m still new at this being one year in the hobby. Had two rounds of ich but have successfully beaten it with long-term hyposalinity. Will be very careful to quarantine anything wet going into the tank from here on out.
E says
Thanks for the info!
Nelly Acevedo says
I would never risk my tank without quarantine
James McGilvray says
My lfs takes every precaution. Happy to say I’ve never had any issues.
smash2799 says
Quarantining is a very important matter! Great article!
Austin Byers says
I’m defiantly getting a quarantine tank
Karl Halmstad says
i don’t quarantine my fish. Not able to setup a tank for this but I’ve been very lucky so far & don’t have plans to add anymore fish to my tank.
Sage Cowley says
My boss freshwater dips angels from time to time and it always freaks me out!!
Doug Talley says
Do you really want to take a chance and not quarantine first?
Jerry L Thompson says
I’m a new be here.. It’s hard to catch the once they are in the big tank. Pray that I don’t get it in my tank.
Jerry L Thompson says
Hope I I don’t get that.. I don’t have a hospital tank yet
Jerry L Thompson says
Hope I don’t get it in my tank.. No hospital tank set up yet
Drew Pearce says
Awesome!
Larry says
Quarantine = PATIENCE
Patience = Stress free reef
tervor says
And this is why you always QT and Dip your corals! Keep everything healthy!
brandonbjones1 says
This was very informational i always wondered about quarantine
Rondy says
I’m working on setting up a quarantine it’s needed
David Oreol says
I haven’t been doing this, but I really need to start. Thanks for the info.
Kenneth O Thomas says
I quarantine everything for one month. just to make sure they have a healthy start.
CHRISTOPHER NICHOLAS says
Always put your fish in a QT I learned the hard way and gave my tank ich and some other disease. I lost my first ever fish by contaminating my tank with rushing and not using a QT
Duy Le says
Got ick outbreak 1 time and started quarantine since then
Eric Serrano says
I have not tried dipping yet I’m still new to the game and would like to learn how to do it but separating is so much easier to get the work done.
Rob Colletti says
Understand the benefits but I’ve never QT anything in 15 years and have only dealt with disease one time…
robert vice says
I just started a quarenteen tank for the first time in 3 years .I just havent gotten a fish since I set it up
Jose Pacheco says
I don’t have quarantine tank but I think is one of the most important part in this hobby.
Cassidy says
Need to set up a qt.
Jeff Dick says
QT seems to be a good way to watch your fish before they hit your main system. I wish I did it more, but it is the right thing to do for sure!
xylahilton says
New to the hobby so thanks for the tips
Mike Mijarez says
Cant see any other way of guarantee of it being ill
JA says
QTs are a MUST!
Renee says
??
sdemarco62 says
I don’t have quarantine tank but I think is one of the most important part in this hobby.
cmac9825 says
U should always quarantine
Jeremy Hunsberger says
Always qt
j3r3myhunsberger says
Always at before displaying
j3r3myhunsberger says
Always qt before adding to display tank
John Evans says
I’ve been too afraid to fresh water dip.
William Ware says
Really need to get a at tank setup.
Renee says
I haven’t heard of fish dipping before. Thank you for sharing.
Dee Oxendine says
I had never heard about dipping fish like you would coral
David Cawley-cole says
Always a good read.
Danzel Thad Ermac Boiser says
Very important before adding fish to an aquarium which has been running smoothly.
Anthony J Szurek says
Month long qt
Jon B Swetnam says
Another great article! Thank you!
Rhonda Cunningham says
Great info!
Remy Lelias says
Quarantining is essential for a reef tank mostly because many medications are not reef safe. Its better to be safe then sorry. the one time i didn’t quarantine is the time i needed to the most. Algae barn is a great place to get advice and info about fish keeping.
Remy Lelias says
I always Quarantine and i think its necessary for a successful reef.
Remy Lelias says
I will always quarantine.
Sean says
I just got my tank set up. Need to get a mandarin soon.
Nathaniel Konkel says
So is quarantine still recommended for a non-fish tank?
Vancejj says
Awesome article and if you dont have a QT it is hard to be successful in this hobby. Thanks for the thoughts.
smash2799 says
This is very importamt!
fishtankpsycho says
Definitely guilty of not doing both quarantine and dipping new corals. I have paid for my laziness though. Not fun.
Pat says
I always used a QT tank even if the fish have been at the LFS.