Cost effective quarantine tank builds

[RodeoClownfish]

Just wanted to share my quarantine tank builds here in case anyone was like me, relatively new and hesitant about quarantining their fish due to time and cost.

If time is a concern, like it was for me, check out humble fish’s hybrid tank transfer method. You can have clean fish in as little as 14 days using only hydrogen peroxide for treatment. Here’s a link:

Hybrid TTM to treat all parasites!

Important: Tank Transfer Method is most effective when water temperature and salinity are kept within this range... Temp: 24C/76F - 28C/82F Salinity: 27ppt / 1.020 SG - 35ppt / 1.026 SG Tank Transfer Method is an effective (non-chemical) treatment for Marine Ich. However, it's weakness has...

humble.fish

If cost is a concern, I was able to build two tanks for just over $200. That’s a pretty small investment to ensure your fish are clean going into the display. Here’s a list of equipment. It isn’t fancy, but it works and you could definitely find a less expensive light. These are a bit overkill for 10 gallons.

10g tank - $15 @ LFS
Nicrew MagiJet Internal Filter MAGI200 - $13
Nicrew 50W mini heater - $9
Hygger temp sensor with hi/low alarms - $16
Nicrew 30W LED light - $60

Total tank cost - $113

Most components can be found on Amazon. Not only are they cost effective, they look nice when set up too and can be taken down, sterilized and stored after the fish have made it through QT. The gear isn’t the highest of quality, but they will do their jobs for 14 days until the fish are ready to transfer. Jake Adams with reef builders used many of these same components in his latest video about building a budget tank for under $100 which is what gave me the inspiration for using them in my QT tanks. Hope you enjoyed reading and feel free to ask questions!

 

[sunken3]

nice setup.. a couple of thoughts.. unless its a really dark space, you could likely forgo the light (since this is just a temporary setup for fish), the ambient room light should suffice. Also, I prefer something like a penguin 100 filter, because they are really easy to clean out and give great surface aeration (I also dont use the biowheel or included filter, rather just cut bulk filter pads to size and throw them away every 2 days).

 

[RodeoClownfish]

nice setup.. a couple of thoughts.. unless its a really dark space, you could likely forgo the light (since this is just a temporary setup for fish), the ambient room light should suffice. Also, I prefer something like a penguin 100 filter, because they are really easy to clean out and give great surface aeration (I also dont use the biowheel or included filter, rather just cut bulk filter pads to size and throw them away every 2 days).

Thank you @sunken3 I did not realize the HOB filters like that were also pretty cheap by comparison. These Nicrew filters do have a small media compartment with some carbon (I’ll take mine out since the carbon will soak up any treatment) and a sponge, which I took out and tossed in the sump so bacteria could colonize it. That being said if these don’t work I’ll look at the penguin 100’s moving forward.

 

[sunken3]

i always worry about either the disease/parasite colonizing my quarantine equipment, or the medication being absorbed into it... I try to limit what it can "stick" to.. therefore easy to clean and disposable is my way.. I usually do tank transfer along with meds so I don't need to worry as much about ammonia buildup or partial redosing.

if you are quarantining presumably healthy fish (waiting period).. then I think having a bio-filter is fine.

 

[RodeoClownfish]

i always worry about either the disease/parasite colonizing my quarantine equipment, or the medication being absorbed into it... I try to limit what it can "stick" to.. therefore easy to clean and disposable is my way.. I usually do tank transfer along with meds so I don't need to worry as much about ammonia buildup or partial redosing.

if you are quarantining presumably healthy fish (waiting period).. then I think having a bio-filter is fine.

@sunken3 yes, quarantining presumably healthy fish. I mentioned to the owner of the LFS I'm buying my bonded pair of tiger clowns from that I was going to quarantine and he got a little grouchy, saying he would never knowingly sell sick fish (which I do believe) and he's keeping them for a minimum of 2 weeks in copper. That being said, I will be using hydrogen peroxide for 30 minutes at 75ppm prior to transfer on day 7 and again on day 14 before going into the DT. The transfers will eliminate any trophonts and the H202 will treat any parasites on the fish. If I notice during days 1-7 that there are signs of internal parasites I will treat with Prazi but only if necessary. Biggest thing is to start my tank clean and this pair of clowns will be the first inhabitants. I really can't stomach the thought of losing all my fish because I didn't quarantine properly and humble fish's hybrid TTM using H202 seems to be least toxic, efficient as far as time/equipment, and reasonably effective at treating/preventing ich, velvet and brook.

I'm with you on not having too much in the tank that the treatments can stick to. I would think H202, being unstable by nature, would break down relatively quickly. I guess my biggest concern would be cleaning/sanitizing the equipment if I had to dose prazi.

As always thanks for the feedback. I've learned so much already in the short time I've been on the forum.

 

[sunken3]

i wouldn't worry about peroxide or prazi building up.. copper is more of a concern. you should be good.

I wouldn't worry about hurting your LFS's feelings about QT. just dont tell him next time. Guessing if he sold you a fish that had issues and killed all your other fish... he wouldnt reimburse you. So it is up to you.

 

[RodeoClownfish]

I wouldn't worry about hurting your LFS's feelings about QT. just dont tell him next time. Guessing if he sold you a fish that had issues and killed all your other fish... he wouldnt reimburse you. So it is up to you.

That was my thought process as well. I trust him but I feel like once the sale is complete, the health of the fish and the fish I already have in the tank is on me. I haven’t half-arsed anything on this build yet so why would I start now by not quarantining my fish? Do it right the first time, you know?