CCOMBS Ultimate QT Tank Build

[ccombs]

Alright, if you are like me, you got into the hobby and thought that a QT tank was only for the top 1% of reefers. If you are also like me, you ran into a situation where you needed a QT Tank but didn't have one.

QT Tanks are the least glamorous tanks out there, and I want to change that! For many, QT Tanks are an essential part of the hobby, and I want to present a concept tank that can look good in your living room.

Goals of the Tank:

1) QT for new livestock
2) Hospital as needed, potentially a refuge from aggressive tank mates
3) Ability to treat with copper and other meds
4) Easy maintenance
5) Easy cleaning if full bleach is needed
6) Cool look

The idea here is that if you have a QT that is easy, functional, and looks great, you are more likely to actually QT.

This tank will live in my office and I will use it for fish, corals, and inverts so it needs to be flexible.

How will I accomplish such a daunting task? Stay tuned for the build!!

 

[dbl]

Interested in seeing what you come up with or have planned. I felt the same way and built one that can I keep "in the house" without being too embarrassed. Said differently, it's spousal approved when needed.

Keep us posted please.

 

[ccombs]

Okay... so I might be crazy, but hear me out...

My QT tank will be far away from my display tank, and there are no physical lines to get aquabus for an APEX from one tank to another.

I have 2 ideas that are 100% not supported by APEX... but if they were, I wouldn't be crazy haha.

IDEA 1

Convert Aquabus USB to Ethernet, first stripping voltage of aquabus so it only leaves data. Take this Ethernet to an Access Point.

This Access Point would be point to point routed with another AP at the QT tank.

Take Ethernet out of AP #2, use an inline POE injector and then convert to USB.

This would allow me to control things at my QT all in the Neptune Systems EcoSystem.

IDEA 2

Same thing as above, but use one of the cool Ethernet over power line adaptors to use it. I already have one to get network to my bedroom for the apex, why not try to get all of them talking?

 

[ccombs]

On to more important things. This QT will have a closed stand with an AIO tank on top.

The stand will have some important features in the cabinet.

1) Small Fridge to house premixed food with meds
2) 5 Gallon ATO
3) Dip container for RRR, freshwater dips, etc.
4) Medicine Storage- I want to have everything on the shelf for any situation that needs immediate attention
5) Spare 5 Gallon jug of RODI ready at all times

I will also be using this for corals so I need a good light. I was thinking a Kessil A80, but because my DT uses the 160 model, I will probably go this route for the sleeker stand and so I have a backup for my main tank in case of emergency.

The tank will not have any live rock, but a centerpiece plastic decoration. I want it to have a theme, not sure what I want to do yet.

I do not like most plastic decor, but I think I should be able to find a cool sunken ship, plane, or submarine type piece.

I will have a frag holder on here as well for incoming corals.

Most importantly, keeping track of treatments is key. I need to figure out what type of fluorescent marker that fish stores use for coral prices and ID. If anyone knows what they use so I can write on the glass that would be killer.

This is it for now, I just want to be ready at a moments notice when I inevitably need it again. Once my DT is fully stocked, I might use it as a fish rescue for fish that don't look good, then re-sell them later once they are healthy.

 

[RIreefGuy]

Cool ideas. Def following this. Obviously you cant put inverts in a tank with copper treatment. Is the plan to completely bleach everything between qt for fish and then inverts or corals?

 

[ccombs]

Cool ideas. Def following this. Obviously you cant put inverts in a tank with copper treatment. Is the plan to completely bleach everything between qt for fish and then inverts or corals?

Not exactly sure what my plan is here. This is all a big experiment so I might try cuprisorb, then see how much copper is leached out over time once it is clear.

I will bleach depending on what I was treating.

 

[.Chris.]

I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

For my QT, I went with practicality over looks. I have three QT tanks for fish, and one for corals. All plumbed up to drains and fill lines.

My only suggestion is if you're switching from fish to inverts/corals in QT, make sure that if you've coppered it, you do a full empty/refill with freswater, and empty again. I have years of experience with cuprisorb and it won't get everything out, guaranteed. Also, go simple on the decor, like PVC pipes. All those cool looking plastic sunken ships have so many nooks and crannies that it's not ideal for treating disease. They cling well to that sort of stuff.