DIY AIO Frag Invert QT?

[starypotter]

Hi everyone,
It seems like if you're going to be getting and trading frags that you'll always need a QT running, 76 days is a long time after all. So I figured it would probably be easiest to have a properly cycled and set up tank. I've got some leftover rock from my reef cleaners order, and a bunch of sand. I was thinking that a 20 long might be good, I have a spare 10 gal but I'm afraid that once I stick a AIO divider up in there that it'll be too small.
I figured if I get some acrylic for the front panel, and another sheet to make some dividers, dremel out the weir, drill a hole for a bulkhead and a locline, and stick a little pump and some floss in there that it'll be a good self contained system.
Or should I keep it easy and use a HOB? I feel like that would be more maintenance? They're fairly noisy with the splashing and then I'd need to add a powerhead for flow. If I make an AIO then I'd have the option to stick some cheato in there, but I could always just stick it in the main tank though.
Do you think one option would be less maintenance than the other?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I found a used 14 gal jbj cube and used that. With no fish in there it was actually hard to keep nutrients up. You won’t need the chato most likely.

Mine was set up just like any tank. But with the knowledge that I could nuke it if I had to.

 

[starypotter]

You won’t need the chato most likely.

Oh that is super good to hear! The less maintenance the better!

Mine was set up just like any tank.

I think it would go over a bit better with my parents if it looked more like a tank and less like my PVC filled fish QT. At least it'll look better.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I think it would go over a bit better with my parents if it looked more like a tank and less like my PVC filled fish QT. At least it'll look better.

Lol. Very wise move!

 

[starypotter]

Lol. Very wise move!

So I got a 20L tonight, my mom just said 'oh that's big' haha hope I'm not pushing it too much, at least it could be drained and moved if it really doesn't go over well.

 

[Kyl]

From someone that has a 30 x 22 x 10 frag / invert qt tank with no fish in it, @saltyfilmfolks is correct that you'll have most likely have no real use for the chaeto / a refugium.

 

[starypotter]

From someone that has a 30 x 22 x 10 frag / invert qt tank with no fish in it, @saltyfilmfolks is correct that you'll have most likely have no real use for the chaeto / a refugium.

That's good to hear, how do you keep your tanks running? Ghost feed? Dose? Coral food like coral frenzy? I mostly plan on LPS frags and softies so would that be spot feeding any of these? I'll be feeding for whatever inverts are in there I would assume, would that be enough?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yep. Ghost feed. Invert food.

 

[starypotter]

Yep. Ghost feed. Invert food.

Is there any sort of recommended amount or a way to know if you're feeding enough/too much?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Is there any sort of recommended amount or a way to know if you're feeding enough/too much?

You can test or play it by ear. It’s just like a reef tank DT.

 

[Kyl]

I feed the inverts with algae pellets, the rockflowers with LPS pellets and the corals get reef roids / acro power (SPS sticks).

 

[starypotter]

You can test or play it by ear. It’s just like a reef tank DT.

I feed the inverts with algae pellets, the rockflowers with LPS pellets and the corals get reef roids / acro power (SPS sticks).

I'll have to pick up some proper invert food, although they love the goldfish flakes I got with a used tank they're not exactly picky thankfully.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I'll have to pick up some proper invert food, although they love the goldfish flakes I got with a used tank they're not exactly picky thankfully.

It’s likey the Same. Fish meal and spirulina.
You know , you could just add a fish. An algae grazer might be good.
Don’t want no lazy fish. Coral can and do directly feed off of ammoina and Uric acid.

 

[starypotter]

It’s likey the Same. Fish meal and spirulina.
You know , you could just add a fish. An algae grazer might be good.
Don’t want no lazy fish. Coral can and do directly feed off of ammoina and Uric acid.

I would, but it's going to be a QT tank so that I could keep any new corals or inverts in there for 76 days or whatever their requirement is.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I would, but it's going to be a QT tank so that I could keep any new corals or inverts in there for 76 days or whatever their requirement is.

Yea. That could mean he’d be a sacrifice.

 

[starypotter]

Yea. That could mean he’d be a sacrifice.

Well from my understanding it wouldn't do anything to eradicate any of the diseases if there is a fish in there since it will be enough to host a parasite or whatever may be in there so it would just be another tank which.... well doesn't sound too bad but then I'd just need another QT and... well... money... don't seem to have any of that anymore ;Dead