MN Aquatics Quarantine (QT) Service

Estimated wait time: QT Open! Contact us now to discuss service. 

MN Aquatics offers a professional quarantine service for saltwater fish at an additional cost. The entire process takes 3-4 weeks. Our QT service costs an additional $15 per fish, with a non refundable 30% deposit on the price of the fish. 

Pricing & Payment

Deposit & Fees

  • A 30% non-refundable deposit (based on the fish’s price before discounts) is required before QT begins
  • This deposit is non-refundable, including loss during QT or order cancellation
  • While we take every precaution, survival cannot be guaranteed due to species sensitivity and medication use
  • Higher-risk fish will be discussed with you before QT begins
  • The deposit helps cover livestock costs, discourages high-risk quarantines, and keeps overall QT pricing low

After QT Completion

  • The remaining 70% balance (after discounts) plus a $15 QT fee per fish will be charged

Example

  • $100 fish
  • $30 non-refundable deposit to start QT
  • $70 remaining + $15 QT fee after completion
  • Total: $115 + tax
  • If the fish does not survive QT, no additional balance is owed besides the initial $30

Pre-Purchased Fish

  • We can quarantine fish you already own for $15 per fish, charged after QT completion
  • No loss coverage is provided for pre-purchased fish

Requesting Quarantine Service

  • Contact us at help@mnaquatics.com or text 763-200-1304 to discuss QT
  • Once a plan is finalized, your deposit will be invoiced and you’ll be added to the waitlist with an estimated timeframe
  • You’ll receive updates including:
    • When your fish enters QT
    • When the 14-day medication period begins
    • Any issues or concerns
    • When your fish is ready for pickup

Pickup Requirements

  • Fish must be picked up within 5 days of QT completion
  • You must contact us 1 day before pickup - our QT facility is not located inside the retail store, so we need to transport fish the day of pickup in a sterile, unopened bag
  • Shipping of quarantined fish is not available at this time

Quarantine System Information

  • QT runs approximately once per month
  • The full process takes 3-4 weeks
  • QT is performed in a separate, isolated facility, completely disconnected from other systems
    • This greatly reduces the risk of cross-contamination and aerosol exposure
  • There are multiple tanks in the QT system to separate fish by compatibility

While 100% disease-free fish can never be guaranteed, we aggressively treat all common saltwater diseases.

  • If signs of illness appear after or late in QT, the system will be sterilized and fish will be re-quarantined
  • The customer assumes all risk associated with adding new fish to an aquarium

Diseases & Conditions Treated

Ich & Velvet

  • Treated with Copper Power maintained at 2.3-2.5 ppm for 14 days

Flukes & Intestinal Parasites

  • Two rounds of praziquantel during copper treatment

Brooklynella & Uronema

  • Metronidazole or formalin used for ~10 days during the treatment period (based on species)

Bacterial Infections / Injuries

  • Treated as needed with additional medications

Eye Issues

  • Fluke-related cloudiness treated with praziquantel
  • Injury-related issues typically resolve on their own or with antibiotics

Lymphocystis

  • Not treatable but usually not harmful
  • You will be notified if your fish develops lympho
  • QT cancellation due to lympho does not qualify for a deposit refund

Feeding Issues

  • We work to get fish eating prepared foods, but this cannot be guaranteed
  • You will be notified if a fish is not eating or is highly selective
  • Medications may be paused if appetite suppression occurs, and QT may be delayed
  • QT cancellation or loss due to starvation does not qualify for a deposit refund - we do not recommend having difficult-to-feed fish quarantined (such as copperbands, dragonets, etc) 

Cosmetic Damage

  • Rare, but you will be notified of any fin damage or cosmetic issues
  • Fish price may be reduced if applicable

HLLE Notice

  • Heavy medications may aggravate existing head and lateral line erosion (HLLE)

QT Timeline (Approximate)

  • Pre-QT (~ 1 week)
    • Fish are added gradually
    • Focus on observation, feeding, and conditioning
  • Copper Ramp-Up (~ 2 days)
    • Copper slowly increased to full strength
  • Day 1 - Copper at full strength (14-day timer begins)
  • Day 2 - Prazi treatment #1
  • Days 3-13 - Metro or formalin dosed every other day
  • Day 9 - Prazi treatment #2
  • Day 14 - Final day of copper
  • Days 15-20 - Fish ready for pickup
  • Post-QT
    • System is fully cleaned before the next batch