I need help with my QT tank.

noxel56 · Mar 6, 2020

Hello, I am 14 and setting up my first reef tank. Like everyone, I would hate loose any fish to human error, or even to natural causes. I have been researching setting up a qt tank and with the limited space in my room, the biggest tank I could set up is a 5.5 gallon. Would this be big enough to use? Would it stress the fish? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Billldg · Mar 6, 2020

I have never tried to QT a fish in that small of a tank. Is it possible to set up a 10 Gal tank? I know you had said that a 5.5 was the biggest, but could you possibly squeeze a 10 gal tank somewhere?

Ultra Aquatics · Mar 6, 2020

Should not be a problem, When I QT fish I usually use a 10 gallon but only fill it up with 6g of water (one bucket full). It just makes it easier for me, especially since I use the TTM.

noxel56 · Mar 6, 2020

Billldg said:
I have never tried to QT a fish in that small of a tank. Is it possible to set up a 10 Gal tank? I know you had said that a 5.5 was the biggest, but could you possibly squeeze a 10 gal tank somewhere?

Unfortunately no

The only place my parents will allow yet another tank is 17” and the standard 10g is 18”. I don’t wanna spend a lot on a custom tank.

noxel56 · Mar 6, 2020

James404 said:
Should not be a problem, When I QT fish I usually use a 10 gallon but only fill it up with 6g of water (one bucket full). It just makes it easier for me, especially since I use the TTM.

I will not be using the TTM. I will probably only use General Cure and Cuppramine(?).

Billldg · Mar 6, 2020

I was hoping you could, lets see what some other great reefers think.

@HotRocks , @4FordFamily , @Big G

Billldg · Mar 6, 2020

noxel56 said:
I will not be using the TTM. I will probably only use General Cure and Cuppramine(?).

I would suggest Copper Power, you can get it on ebay.

JoshO · Mar 6, 2020

I've currently got 2 clowns sat in a 6 gallon QT, they are still only very small so they're more than happy in there, all the parameters are stable too as the bioload is very small!

piranhaman00 · Mar 6, 2020

Good for you on QT practice! Like someone else said, if you can get a 5.5 you have to be able to fit a 10 somewhere! Even on the ground?

Also don’t use cupramine, use copper power to 2.0ppm

Good luck!

JoshO · Mar 6, 2020

piranhaman00 said:
Good for you on QT practice! Like someone else said, if you can get a 5.5 you have to be able to fit a 10 somewhere! Even on the ground?

Also don’t use cupramine, use copper power to 2.0ppm

Good luck!

As it's not his house, being only 14 I'd imagine that decision doesn't lay with him, he should be able to get away with that as a QT.
After all there is a whole section on here dedicated to Pico reefs, some of which are smaller than that!

4FordFamily · Mar 6, 2020

That’s a very small tank, it might suffice for one small fish at a time but it is not ideal.

Idoc · Mar 6, 2020

It's not ideal, but it can work for you. Just go with really small fish, one at a time, and maybe not the active swingers like wrasses, tangs, etc...

All the fish I've quarantined have picked out their shot in the quarantine tank (10g) and stayed in that spot almost thes entire time anyhow... except my leopard wrasse, she was an active swimmer.

You gotta work with whatcha got!!

noxel56 · Mar 7, 2020

piranhaman00 said:
Good for you on QT practice! Like someone else said, if you can get a 5.5 you have to be able to fit a 10 somewhere! Even on the ground?

Also don’t use cupramine, use copper power to 2.0ppm

Good luck!

No sorry. 5.5 gallon is the biggest one I can use. I will try and under dose just so nothing messes up and I always have RO/DI and premixed saltwater available in case anything goes wrong. I plan on doing a 100% water change weekly

noxel56 · Mar 7, 2020

Idoc said:
It's not ideal, but it can work for you. Just go with really small fish, one at a time, and maybe not the active swingers like wrasses, tangs, etc...

All the fish I've quarantined have picked out their shot in the quarantine tank (10g) and stayed in that spot almost thes entire time anyhow... except my leopard wrasse, she was an active swimmer.

You gotta work with whatcha got!!

dang, was gonna qt a flasher wrasse. No tangs since my tank is only a 40b. I just don’t wanna stress the fish out in any way. I could maybe do a 10g but the only place I can put a qt tank is 17” wide so the 10g would hang off the side by 1/2”. Would that be harmful?

Idoc · Mar 7, 2020

noxel56 said:
dang, was gonna qt a flasher wrasse. No tangs since my tank is only a 40b. I just don’t wanna stress the fish out in any way. I could maybe do a 10g but the only place I can put a qt tank is 17” wide so the 10g would hang off the side by 1/2”. Would that be harmful?

Put a 1/2" piece of plywood or boards cut to the length of the 10g tank. That will help to spread out the weight over a greater distance and remove the stress contact point at the overhang.

Tastee · Mar 8, 2020

My QT is only around 7.5g and I have had no issues with 1-2 fish in it. If you are stocking your tank with juveniles as most fish sold are you shouldn’t have any significant issues. Just keep a close eye on ammonia, seed it with good quality media taken from your DT and be prepared for a WC at short notice. Here is mine.