Quarantine tanks...

spencerC · #1 08-15-2007, 05:52 AM

What would be required for them?
I have a spare 10 gal tank, I'm just wondering what else I would need equipment-wise to have it as a working quarantine tank.

Will I want to have substrate in there? Wouldn't that potentially house a bacteria/illness that the fish may have and pass it on to the next one who goes through?

Would a relatively simple/inexpensive filter work because of the 1-at-a-time inhabitance? Would i need a protein skimmer?

Would something like this work as well?
http://oceanaquatics.com/store/product/2210/Deco-Kit-3/

spencerC · #2 08-15-2007, 06:35 PM

bump?

Joe Reefer · #3 08-15-2007, 06:51 PM

The tank you linked to is a little small for a QT tank IMO. The size of your QT depends on the size of your main tank and what your going to put in quarentine. For example, If you need to quarentine a 6" naso your going to need a large tank for it to be comfortable in. I use a 10 gallon breeder w/ a heater, some floss, carbon and amonia remover in a small fluval. The only thing in the tank is the fish and a piece of 4" pipe for it to hide in. I do water changes every couple days with water from my main tank. If your planning on qt'ing coral lighting would be something you would have to consider. For now I just dip and inspect all the non-swimming inhabitants the go in my main tank.

fishoholic · #4 08-15-2007, 09:54 PM

We use a 10g tank for QT. We use some water from our main tank and run a fluval filter on it. No sand/substrate because you don't want bacteria to grow in it. A piece of pipe for the fish to hide in is nice too.

michika · #5 08-16-2007, 12:21 AM

I used to do the same as everyone else here has mentioned, no substrate, and a piece of pipe. I also used to have the bottom of my 30g tank painted dark blue because I found the reflection of a clean bottom can stress fish.

When I used to QT SPS frags, I just dip now due to space constraints, I found that it was hard to keep good water quality. I tried really hard to maintain good parameters, but it was just too hard and I eventually gave up. I still dip religiously though, once going in, and once going out.

mseepman · #6 08-16-2007, 12:36 AM

I assume by dip you mean a "fresh water" dip?

spencerC · #7 08-16-2007, 01:13 AM

ohhhh k great this sounds like good news.
I'll probably just need to paint the bottom, get some suitable pipe for the fish to hide in,
a little filter to strap onto it from pet-cetera, and maybe a small heater too?
Would the heater in that small tank be dangerous for the fish burning itself? I figure they don't get that hot... but I've never used a heater before so i wouldnt know.

surgeonfish · #8 08-16-2007, 01:27 AM

A heater should not burn your fish.

I was wondering if everyone keeps their quarantine tank up and running or just set them up when obtaining new fish? I worry about stressing the fish out with the tank "cycling" if they keep the fish quarantined for a few weeks. Therefore, I keep my quarantine tank running constantly with a few fish to keep it stable for new arrivals. I have a simple small skimmer, external filter and natural sunlight.

spencerC · #9 08-16-2007, 05:17 AM

For lighting, I will have the QT tank right in between my reptile (10 gal with very old green anole, nothing special, it's got 2 lights on it, one flouresent, one plant-grow bulb) set-up and the main aquarium, so i'm thinking it will get plenty of the light it needs.

I'll probably keep mine running. Not exactly sure yet.

spencerC · #10 08-16-2007, 06:36 AM

Hey, i bet this would work pretty well?
A bit more expensive but very suitable.
Could be used easily after you're done with it as a QT too!

$169.99

http://oceanaquatics.com/store/produ...CI-12.5G-Tank/