Quarantine Tank

[Amritroy2003]

HI GUys, can some one tell me what I should have for my Quarantine
tank? I have a heater and a pump, do I need anything else? should I put a live rock in it?

Thanks for you help..

 

[JohnS_323]

You can put rock in it, but if you treat the tank with anything, you won't be able to use the rock for anything else. A common thing people use instead of rock are PVC fittings. Get some 1.5" elbows and T's and put them in. The fish can use them to hide out in.

The other thing I would recommend is a cheap bubble filter. When not quarantining the tank, keep the filter sponge in your sump (if you have one) to help keep it seeded. If you don't have a sump, or other place to store the sponge, you'll need to do more frequent water changes to reduce ammo/trites/trates in the tank.

 

[Amritroy2003]

I was thinking that the rock would be used for filtration.. and keeping the amonia and nitrites, and nitrate levels down..

 

[Phyl]

If you have rock in your tank and your fish has ich the rock will need to be fallowed for 8w while the ich life cycle passes. If you need to treat the tank you'll have to pull the rock so as not to worsen the bio-problems with die off from the rock. Also, with the rock in the tank you'll have less of a chance to observe the fish and ensure that it is eating and healthy looking.

PVC makes for great hiding space to allow the fish to become comfortable and settle in without being so obtrusive that you can't see fish for the rock. The sponge in the filter allows you to maintain a bit of bio-load beyond frequent water changes.

Your choice though. Just make sure to pull the rock if you need to hypo or chemically treat the tank.

 

[Reefaholic]

What size tank would you suggest for normal size reef fish under 7" in length. I know it depends on the size of the fish. But would a 10gal be ok? I would fill it up when needed with tank water and a sponge filter that would be left in the sump till needed( does the sponge have to be working in the sump or just lay there till needed).

 

[JohnS_323]

I'd say a 10g is typically fine for most fish. No, the sponge doesn't have to be "working", it just has to lay in there but by the nature of it being in there, it is working

 

[Reefaholic]

Thanks John and the tank can be set up with tank water when the new fish arrives?

 

[JohnS_323]

Yep, you can do that. What I'd do is fill the QT tank with water from my system, then refill my system with fresh saltwater. All of my water changes in the QT tank would be done with water from the main. All top-off's would be done with RO/DI.

 

[Jcurry@wesketch]

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/mardisindex.htm

 

[blange3]

I do everything the way Phyl and John described. I also cover 3 sides of the tank to make the fish feel more secure. It helps minimize distractions while you are coaxing them to feed.

I have a few 10's laying around if you need one. If you have the room, a 20 long would provide more surface area for better gas exchange. I use a 30 long, because I had it!

I set everthing up the night before just to avoid surprises. My QT tanks have been around awhile and I would hate to find out they were leaking with a $100 fish in a bag. Not that that has ever happened to me!! ;D (Or the last heater broke, the power head froze, my kid made a science project out of the tank cover.......)

 

[Reefaholic]

Bill,
If you don't mind giving up a 10gal I could use one, I rather have a used one then a new one. maybe we can get together tomarrow. I leave in Rahway.