QT tank ?'s

[hurtback]

hello---i thought if i could get ideas from others who have a QT tank set up and running, i would avoid any mistakes in setting up mine---and others could learn from it also
is there a ' rule of thumb ' for setting up QT tanks?
like size---what size is the best size,
lighting--- what type and how long to leave the lights on
filtration---- water flow?
i have different size tanks, i have extra lights, i have both overflow type filters and HOB type filters
what type of bottom
do you put live rock in the tank, or, if not, what then?
anything else you've done in setting up your QT tank that i have'nt thought of, please post also

' tanks ' for your ideas
steve
steve

 

[Phyl]

What will you be QTing?

 

[hurtback]

hi phyl--as of right now, nothing, but is'nt it a good idea to get a QT setup anyway so when i do get something i'll already have a QT setup?
i will be adding to my tank, and once i setup a bigger tank i will be adding to that
steve

 

[harryk]

I have a 40 gallon as my QT, i have a heater, power head and a HOB filter, and the only thing in the tank it a piece or 2 or PVC for the fish to hide. I use T5's as lighting, because i do also QT corals. IMO the bigger QT you have the better of the fish in it will be

thanks
Harry

 

[hurtback]

hi harry---
thats the kind of info i'm looking for--
this way i can get a good idea of what and how i can go about this
so the T5's are a good light source for both fish and corals?
thanks
steve

 

[Phyl]

T5 or PC would be fine for corals (you're not leaving them in there long enough for this to really matter). Fish could do with NO.

 

[Hawkeye]

what type of bottom

bb would be ideal. sand only if a fish/invert required it...and then i'd discard the sand after use. Obviously a heater is needed and I like using one of those ammonia-alert things...they are like $2 or something but easy to read and see if something is askew.

 

[steve68]

I have a 20 gallon with PC lighting, maxijet 1200,heater HOTB filter that i run
carbon in to take out flatworm exit, interceptor & iodine that might be on the
corals after i have done all my dips, for corals i use egg crate & put them as close
to the glass as i can so i can zoom in with my magnifying glass, for fish
deending on the size of fish i use any where from 3/4 pvc elbows all the way up to 2 inch
for large fish & no sand bare bottom if the fish requires sand i put sand in a plastic
bowl (5 inch wide 3 inch deep 6 inch long) & after im done i clean the sand with fresh water.
i use water from the tank do a weekly 7% water change

i just set up my first quarantine tank because i learn the hard way
it's goo to see u setting one up.

 

[Phyl]

Everyone who trades/buys/sells in our club should be QTing every single item they get. There have been some pests going around, and none of us know who we got what from because we trust everyone in the club. Unfortunately, a lot of these pests are so small that as Steve says, you need a magnifying glass to find them.

"Trust" no one (it isn't a matter of trust, but more like not noticing). Inspect.

QT EVERYTHING.

 

[hurtback]

thanks to all with your ideas---i've always thought/knew the right thing to do would be to set up a QT tank--just never put much thought into it---but i've got this 125 gal tank sittin in the garage waiting to be set up---so, first things first---QT tank going then setup up 125
so--with the QT tank up and running, and i've QT'ed fish or corals---now the fish or corals go into the main tank---what do you do with the water from the QT tank--start the QT tank over again for the next fish or corals i get or do i do a water change in the QT TANK?
steve

 

[Phyl]

Dump the water, refill with the next water change water (when you need it, don't leave it running).

 

[hurtback]

Dump the water, refill with the next water change water (when you need it, don't leave it running).

now that makes sense---probably would've never thought of that!!!
thanks
steve

 

[steve68]

Dump the water, refill with the next water change water (when you need it, don't leave it running).

yep that is what i would do to.