*NEW REEFER* Quarantine Tank & Display questions

[A&Aaquatics]

After you put anything in a quarantine tank with copper, you cannot use it in anything else pretty much right.? including wave makers, heaters, stuff of that sort

That is the general rule. And it is a good rule to follow.

Although I have reused equipment from a copper treated QT with zero issues.

 

[BeejReef]

I don't know what type of QT you envision using.
If you're planning on running copper, you're limited to the bacteria starter kits and ammonia.

If you plan on simply observing the fish for disease and or using medications that are not copper.... or even if you only plan to use copper if you see an issue... you might just buy a grapefruit sized piece of wet live rock from the LFS for your QT. Boom... it's cycled and you can watch your fish while your DT cycles for a month with dry rock.

 

[ReefJunkie28]

I got this off amazon, got my 40 gal. nuvo, is this gonna work for me in my sump?

 

[ReefJunkie28]

I got this off amazon, got my 40 gal. nuvo, is this gonna work for me in my sump?

reason I ask is it says external filters and didn’t notice that

 

[ReefJunkie28]

I don't know what type of QT you envision using.
If you're planning on running copper, you're limited to the bacteria starter kits and ammonia.

If you plan on simply observing the fish for disease and or using medications that are not copper.... or even if you only plan to use copper if you see an issue... you might just buy a grapefruit sized piece of wet live rock from the LFS for your QT. Boom... it's cycled and you can watch your fish while your DT cycles for a month with dry rock.

avoiding putting live rock in any of my tanks.

 

[Onajoyride]

I also suggest an ammonia alert badge.
I use an ammonia absorbent sponge too so I can keep that ammonia as low as possible, it has helped a bunch when running a few tangs through qt. Also i highly suggest copper power as your copper of choice, do your own research as to why so your not taking a random guy on the internets advice hanna checker for copper and an airstone as some of the meds deplete oxygen in the qt. Just go camp out in the fish discussion section and read/youtube and you'll see the easy pitfalls to avoid. Hope this helps and welcome!

 

[ReefJunkie28]

I also suggest an ammonia alert badge.
I use an ammonia absorbent sponge too so I can keep that ammonia as low as possible, it has helped a bunch when running a few tangs through qt. Also i highly suggest copper power as your copper of choice, do your own research as to why so your not taking a random guy on the internets advice hanna checker for copper and an airstone as some of the meds deplete oxygen in the qt. Just go camp out in the fish discussion section and read/youtube and you'll see the easy pitfalls to avoid. Hope this helps and welcome!

I don't know what type of QT you envision using.
If you're planning on running copper, you're limited to the bacteria starter kits and ammonia.

If you plan on simply observing the fish for disease and or using medications that are not copper.... or even if you only plan to use copper if you see an issue... you might just buy a grapefruit sized piece of wet live rock from the LFS for your QT. Boom... it's cycled and you can watch your fish while your DT cycles for a month with dry rock.

just a simple 10 gal. tank with pvc fittings and a sponge filter. that provides flow, surface for bacteria, and acts as an air stone. taking things slow so only 2-3 fish max in there at one time. don’t know what I’m doing for dosing yet, open to ideas.

 

[PacoPetty]

Can one of y’all give me an example of what type of sponge filter and brand you are talking about for my QT tank? The ones I am looking at on Amazon are very basic and I just want to make sure I get the right thing.

 

[fishheadreef]

I was told to get this and put it in media bags for use in my QT.

I have filled up just enough in the bags to put in the small filter that I have on my QT. I made three bags that I keep in my sump. After the QT has gone through its cycle I was told to put the fish in for at least 2 weeks and then once in the tank has been used once, take everything out and clean, clean, clean. This is just what I was told my my local shop. Any insight as to the practice? I was thinking that this might help with Reefjunkie28 post.

 

[flsalty]

You can also add little pieces of rock/ceramic media from your sump to cycle the qt tank. Works very well and I usually cycle the tank for a month before getting fish. After medicating in qt, I toss the media

This. I see no reason to set up the DT and QT simultaneously. I like to set up the DT first and let it cycle. Keep the media for the QT in the sump (assuming you have a sump), then just add it to the QT when you are ready to set it up. I even use DT water to fill the QT. No cycle needed.

 

[flsalty]

Can one of y’all give me an example of what type of sponge filter and brand you are talking about for my QT tank? The ones I am looking at on Amazon are very basic and I just want to make sure I get the right thing.

Basic is all you need. A QT is really nothing more than a simple fish tank. All you are worried about it breaking down ammonia and nitrites. Any simple filter can do that, even one of those cheap sponge filters with an airstone.

 

[mike550]

I run a super simple QT. 20G with HOB filter that holds a sponge. It has room for other things so I can add carbon or other media. I leave the water level slightly low so that water from the HOB is like a waterfall and drops about 2” which creates aeration. Heater, ammonia alert badge, and two different size PVC tees. Hood has a built in LED strip for lighting which I only use for short periods of time.

I kick started the QT with half fresh water and half DT water from a water change day.

 

[PacoPetty]

Basic is all you need. A QT is really nothing more than a simple fish tank. All you are worried about it breaking down ammonia and nitrites. Any simple filter can do that, even one of those cheap sponge filters with an airstone.

That is what I thought but I just wanted someone to confirm it for me. I have a 10 gallon tank with a couple of pieces of PVC elbow in it so that they can hide. Right now I’m only planning on quarantining and not medicating unless the fish show signs of sickness. Thank you!

 

[PacoPetty]

This. I see no reason to set up the DT and QT simultaneously. I like to set up the DT first and let it cycle. Keep the media for the QT in the sump (assuming you have a sump), then just add it to the QT when you are ready to set it up. I even use DT water to fill the QT. No cycle needed.

That’s a solid plan.

 

[flsalty]

That is what I thought but I just wanted someone to confirm it for me. I have a 10 gallon tank with a couple of pieces of PVC elbow in it so that they can hide. Right now I’m only planning on quarantining and not medicating unless the fish show signs of sickness. Thank you!

You're welcome I do the same thing. I put fish in QT to observe and treat if necessary. I don't follow strict protocols like some do.

 

[ReefJunkie28]

You're welcome I do the same thing. I put fish in QT to observe and treat if necessary. I don't follow strict protocols like some do.

thanks for the tips!

 

[ReefJunkie28]

quick little update. I have begun cycling my tank now. soon after I get the bacteria established I will do a water change and fill my quarantine. will get first fish soon after

 

[ReefJunkie28]

 

[ReefJunkie28]

 

[ReefJunkie28]

behold.... the money shot