Can it be done successfully? Re: Temp Quarantine

[Hatuey]

So now that my Waterbox 50.3 is delayed an extra month. I thought I would use the time to setup a smaller (15 Nuvo Fusion Cube) that I can use to start cycling some of the dry rock. I would then take this rock to seed the 50 G. I would then like to setup a quarantine tank for the upcoming fish. However once they’re all good to go in the 50 G, I would like to setup a nano reef where if and when needed I can convert to a quarantine at a moments notice. Would this be possible? My fish list isn’t a long one, and thought I could have soft or lips coral that I can transport to the 50G should I ever have a situation where I need to quarantine again. Wanna know if this is even possible and what your thoughts are.

 

[LiLinka]

If it’s an additional tank with corals sand rock inverts and fish. You can’t convert it. A QT tank is a tank with no sand no inverts no rocks. Is a plain tank with some pvc or artificial structures for fish to hide in. Also when you mentioned cycling rock in a 15 gallon. You can just throw it in a new trash can with a pump and cover it with a lid for 2 months. It’s called cooking rock. I always quarantine fish when they come

 

[LiLinka]

If it’s an additional tank with corals sand rock inverts and fish. You can’t convert it. A QT tank is a tank with no sand no inverts no rocks. Is a plain tank with some pvc or artificial structures for fish to hide in. Also when you mentioned cycling rock in a 15 gallon. You can just throw it in a new trash can with a pump and cover it with a lid for 2 months. It’s called cooking rock. I always quarantine fish whenever I buy them just in case. It’s up to you but it’s always a plus to quarentine them before adding to tank.

 

[Tired]

A QT doesn't necessarily have no sand or rocks. It shouldn't have resident inverts or corals, and you'll want to find out whether the meds you plan to use will be consumed by the biofilter or absorbed into the rocks, but they don't always have to be completely bare.

Quarantine is done BEFORE adding fish to the tank. If you're talking about being able to set up a tank to remove fish into when they show signs of disease, that's a hospital tank. Similar idea, different concept.

Either way, the best way to be able to immediately set up a QT or hospital tank is to just have the equipment ready. If it's needed sterile, set it up and you're good, with many water changes. If it's needed cycled, pop in a rock from your main tank.

And, yes, you don't need to bother with a whole separate tank for dry rock. Put it in saltwater, add some flow, maybe put a light over it if you want to try to get some of the ugly stage done. Heater is preferable but not required.

If you want a 15gal reef, just set up a 15gal reef. Trying to convert a running reef into a QT or hospital tank would be more trouble than it's worth.