I have an extra 10 gallon...what should I do!?

[Currdawg12]

I have a 10 gallon tank that I am currently cycling. Should I use it as Quarantine tank or a frag tank? I want to make it a Frag but someone argue why I should make it a quarantine!

 

[zalick]

Neither.

Jelly fish!

 

[El_Guapo13]

I was going to try to do a jellyfish tank with mine, but decided to instead go for another nano reef.

 

[huckjai]

I have a 10 gallon tank that I am currently cycling. Should I use it as Quarantine tank or a frag tank? I want to make it a Frag but someone argue why I should make it a quarantine!

How much more fish are you planning to add into your display tank? Would definitely be a good idea to have a quarantine tank. Should always have one on hand in case you need to move a fish from the main tank as well, imo. Go and buy another 10 gallon for a quarantine or frag tank. Can get a used one for pretty cheap.

 

[Peace River]

If you accept the suggestion that everything that goes into your DT should go through an observation or QT first then strongly consider using it as a QT tank/hospital tank.

If there is a question of QT or frag then I would ask why you don’t grab another rank and do both?

 

[Currdawg12]

Neither.

Jelly fish!

Is it actually that easy!

 

[Currdawg12]

So next question Is how do you run your qt? 24/7 or only when you need it

 

[Treenk]

Can a mantis shrimp be in 10g that would be fun

 

[ColdOceanReef]

Glow fish tank

 

[zalick]

Is it actually that easy!

No idea. I've only seen them and think they are pretty cool.

I think your mantis idea is a good one. A small 10g prepator type tank would be fun.

 

[huckjai]

So next question Is how do you run your qt? 24/7 or only when you need it

I do tank transfer method, so I have multiple tanks for QT. I run only when needed for new fish. If I need one long term I would probably just cycle it while the fish is in there.

 

[Currdawg12]

I do tank transfer method, so I have multiple tanks for QT. I run only when needed for new fish. If I need one long term I would probably just cycle it while the fish is in there.

So the tank doesn’t have to be cycled in order to have fish?

 

[huckjai]

So the tank doesn’t have to be cycled in order to have fish?

Haha. This topic is debatable, especially for main display tanks. You can have fish in a main tank that's not cycled, but depends on size of tank and probably only 2 fish max. It's possible, but not ideal. There are people who have successfully "cycled" a tank in a few days from dry rock. Some get lucky, some don't.

But for quarantine, I do the tank transfer method in a 5 gallon tank. I usually only quarantine 1-2 fish, sometimes 3 max in the 5 gallon tank. So every 60 hours I transfer them to a new tank with new water. No tank cycle. With that little fish, you shouldn't have much ammonia in that short period of time. But I take some extra precautions. I dose microbacter 7 in the foam filter. Also siphon out any excess food and poop daily. On occasion I will dose extra prime if the water looks dirty. So on the 4th transfer they go into a tank with extra media to hold bacteria. I use fluval biomax. They stay in this tank for additional 2 weeks for observation. Dose some microbacter 7. Siphon extra waste. But also do water changes every few days. I have done this with about 8 fish so far. No issues with ammonia. This is my method, and works for me.

 

[mike550]

I run a 20G QT that I maintain continuously for two reasons. First, it easy to maintain as it’s simply a HOB filter and thermometer. I use water from my DT tank changes as water replacement in the QT, and the filter box usually just holds a sponge for bacteria. Second, it’s great to have available if a fish starts to show any signs of illness. Easy to treat and observe. I’m still adding fish so even without medication (not starting that debate) I still have a place for fish to be observed and see how they are doing before going to DT. And since water characteristics are similar and temp same it’s easy to just drop into DR