QT Tank Pictures...How do you QT?

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Do you quarantine?

  • Yes

    Votes: 19 86.4%

  • No

    Votes: 3 13.6%
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mpjmeyer

mpjmeyer

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I'm still researching everything before I set up my first saltwater tank and one of the most common problems I am seeing are new tanks that experience either velvet or ich due to not being able to quarantine new fish. So giving this some thought, I'm thinking of getting a small 10 gallon tank, adding some pvc pieces for shelter areas and using that to QT.....But as most of you know, I am always full of questions...

Can I plumb the QT into the plumbing for the DT? That way it's using the same water that will eventually be the new home?

I'm sure I could glue a piece of glass in this 10 gallon tank and create an overflow inside allowing me to drill for the drain and return....correct?

Post pictures of your QT tank and how you set it up....
 
Top Shelf Aquatics
I just lost my entire tank due to Brook because I did not QT my fish. You don't want to plumb your QT in with your DT. You don't want to risk cross contamination between you QT and your DT.
Here is a link that will give you more info about quarantine how-to's https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-to-quarantine.189815/
 
mpjmeyer said:
Can I plumb the QT into the plumbing for the DT? That way it's using the same water that will eventually be the new home?
Click to expand...
Absolutely not!!! :eek: We want the water to be separate so that diseases or parasites don't get from the QT to the DT!

I don't have either of my QT systems set up right now. I normally use a 10g tank, small heater, oversized HOB, a few PVC fittings, basic light, and a Seachem ammonia alert badge. Very cheap and simple.

You can find more info here.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-to-quarantine.189815/
 
Got it. Definitely will not plumb to main setup...I guess I should have dug a little deeper in that before asking that question. And without drilling, should be an easy, cheap setup... I wonder if I could take the 10 gallon freshwater setup in my sons room and convert that into the QT since it already has a small heater and light. Anybody have pictures of their QT?
 
Deltec
Will the QT also go through a cycling process? Also, how often do you do water changes in the QT?
 
Get an ammonia alert badge from Seachem. This also needs to be at 10ft away from DT as some disease are known to be airborne. Pieces of pvc for hiding.
 
BRS
I didn't realize that starter kit already comes with a heater so that's another less expense. Will the power filter this starter kit work if I didn't use the carbon?
 
Last edited:
Deltec
I used to never QT and then with my new tank, I lost all but 2 fish to ich. Both of them are now in QT while the tank is fallow. I had an old 29 gallon I used to have as a freshwater, added a new HOB filter, air stone and heater. Used some filter floss from some of my other tanks and a bottle of Biospira to seed the tank. Seachem badge shows no ammonia with 2 tangs in there for 5 days so far. Running cupramine now. Once the fallow period is over and the tangs are back in the DT, I am just going to keep the QT up and running. Won't require a lot of maintenance and I can keep a sponge in my sump to seed with bacteria and move it to QT when I get new fish.
 
mpjmeyer said:
Got it. Definitely will not plumb to main setup...I guess I should have dug a little deeper in that before asking that question. And without drilling, should be an easy, cheap setup... I wonder if I could take the 10 gallon freshwater setup in my sons room and convert that into the QT since it already has a small heater and light. Anybody have pictures of their QT?
Click to expand...
quarantine tank.jpg

I used a small piece of rock and sand because I was QTing four wrasse, three sand dwellers and one rock dweller. It is best to leave it bare bottom and use pvc for hiding places. I was comfortable with this though. I use 10 gallon tanks with HOB and keep extra air stones around to oxygenate the water better. I go between two 10G tanks with my fish.
 
jenreefer said:
quarantine tank.jpg

I used a small piece of rock and sand because I was QTing four wrasse, three sand dwellers and one rock dweller. It is best to leave it bare bottom and use pvc for hiding places. I was comfortable with this though. I use 10 gallon tanks with HOB and keep extra air stones around to oxygenate the water better. I go between two 10G tanks with my fish.
Click to expand...
very good point.
 
Deltec
Can I use the power filter that the starter kit would come with if I don't use the carbon? If so, all I'll need is a small powerhead and an ammonia alert badge, then I'll be set.
 
mpjmeyer said:
Can I use the power filter that the starter kit would come with if I don't use the carbon? If so, all I'll need is a small powerhead and an ammonia alert badge, then I'll be set.
Click to expand...
yes, you can use it. I use a small amount of floss to catch extra food daily and then change it out. I also use bacteria in a bottle in QT to help with cycle. No carbon with meds. If no meds, carbon is fine. If the tank is not cycled, be overzealous with water changes. I do 50% weekly and mine are somewhat cycled. But that is me.
 
How should I cycle the QT? add the pvc fittings, add water, run the filter...then use bacteria in a bottle? How long does it take to cycle a small 10 gallon tank do you think? Also, what type of bacteria do you use?
 
Deltec
mpjmeyer said:
How should I cycle the QT? att the pvc fittings, add water, run the filter...then use bacteria in a bottle? How long does it take to cycle a small 10 gallon tank do you think? Also, what type of bacteria do you use?
Click to expand...
There are many different brands that work for quick cycle. I use prodibio because I like the little glass bottles. This way I know each dose should be viable when I open it, even if sitting in drawer for awhile. I do not consider it a perfect solution for a quick cycle, but as long as your fish load is small in QT, it should/has worked for me. I keep a close eye out for ammonia and have 5 gallons of mixed saltwater ready to go all the time. The minute I do a water change, I mix the next batch and leave it sitting with power head and heater. This way I can move fast if I see a problem. With my current situation, I will be keeping two QT for six fish (see my other thread Naoko did not read the book) So I will be keeping 10 gallons of premixed saltwater going at all times.
Did I mention that my house looks like a bomb exploded in it? hehe. Families of reefers deserve a huge hug and a big fat Christmas surprise, that is for sure.
 
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IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

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