QT Tank Size

[Thor2j]

I need to quarantine some fish. I've never done it before but have almost the whole setup. Have heater, HOB filter (with extra sponges in my sump for 2 months), heater, and power head. Was going to go with a 20 gallon but may have to go 30. I need to quarantine a medium purple tang, 2 diamond head gobies (1 small), and 2 craberri anthias. What size tank should I use? I also have a red sea 130D laying around that I could use. I'm gonna get some pvc to put on bottom for hiding. Also going to put ammonia warning on tank. Plan on using half the water out of established tank and half new. My main tank is a 140g.

Do i need to treat with anything initially or just wait and see if there are any signs??

I've had salt fish tanks for 20 years and reef tanks for about a year and have been very lucky. Im paranoid as my fish and coral in my main tank are doing so well.

One goby is going in my 40 gallon and one in the other.

Thanks

 

[Zero Nitrates]

I use a 40 breeder. You could probably take your pic of which one you use.

I wouldn't treat unless you notice something that needs to be treated.

@Humblefish @melypr1985

 

[DLHDesign]

Are these new fish for you, or are they already yours and you're looking to quarantine for a specific reason? I'm going to assume these are "new to you" fish for the below;

The tank size you use could depend upon what type of quarantine you plan to do;
- Tank Transfer Method: This QT method involves multiple tank transfers (clearly), so a smaller tank size is better (less water used, etc.). I've found that you don't need more than a set of 10gal, really, as the fish never "settle in" enough to really do much free swimming. Even in the final tank, they are only there for 2 weeks. I've had two medium tangs in a single 10gal TTM run and they did fine.
- Traditional Method: This usually involves 4 weeks in a single tank, with chemical treatment at various times (usually copper). As this involves only a single tank, you'd likely want it larger than for the TTM as the fish will more likely "settle in" before the QT run ends. I'd think 20gal would be enough for the fish listed? You don't want it too large because you will very likely be adding meds into the water; and more water means more meds that you have to consume. I'd be sure that your HOB is oversized for the tank as you may need to pull out medications using carbon and a HOB that can hold more of that and rotate more water will do this faster than a smaller one.

If these are, indeed, "new to you" fish, I myself would assume that they are at least carriers of ich and treat appropriately.

 

[Thor2j]

Are these new fish for you, or are they already yours and you're looking to quarantine for a specific reason? I'm going to assume these are "new to you" fish for the below;

The tank size you use could depend upon what type of quarantine you plan to do;
- Tank Transfer Method: This QT method involves multiple tank transfers (clearly), so a smaller tank size is better (less water used, etc.). I've found that you don't need more than a set of 10gal, really, as the fish never "settle in" enough to really do much free swimming. Even in the final tank, they are only there for 2 weeks. I've had two medium tangs in a single 10gal TTM run and they did fine.
- Traditional Method: This usually involves 4 weeks in a single tank, with chemical treatment at various times (usually copper). As this involves only a single tank, you'd likely want it larger than for the TTM as the fish will more likely "settle in" before the QT run ends. I'd think 20gal would be enough for the fish listed? You don't want it too large because you will very likely be adding meds into the water; and more water means more meds that you have to consume. I'd be sure that your HOB is oversized for the tank as you may need to pull out medications using carbon and a HOB that can hold more of that and rotate more water will do this faster than a smaller one.

If these are, indeed, "new to you" fish, I myself would assume that they are at least carriers of ich and treat appropriately.

Yes, these fish are all new to me. Planning on doing the traditional method. I have the Aquaclear 50 rated 20-50 gallons.

 

[Humblefish]

A 40 breeder would be ideal for that QT bioload - but you could also probably get by with a 29 or 30 gallon. A standard 29 gallon has the same footprint as a 20 long; it's just taller.

I would, at a minimum, deworm all the fish using Prazipro.

 

[melypr1985]

I agree that a 40 breeder would be perfect. If it were me, I'd treat them like they have ick and flukes and run copper and prazi. Ick is so prevalent these days that it's a pretty safe assumption.

 

[DLHDesign]

Just in case you've not seen these:

Do's and Don'ts of Quarantine

If you choose to dose in copper, you'll want to know what test kits to use with whatever copper brand you get. There's a post for that.

Good luck and keep us informed of how it goes!

 

[Thor2j]

So my options seem to be a 29 (same as a 20 gallon just taller) or I can get a 40 breeder. I have an aquaclear 50 HOB filter that I think would be ok for 29 but not so sure on the 40. Should I bite the bullet and buy the 40 and new filter or get the 29 and use the filter I have??

 

[Humblefish]

So my options seem to be a 29 (same as a 20 gallon just taller) or I can get a 40 breeder. I have an aquaclear 50 HOB filter that I think would be ok for 29 but not so sure on the 40. Should I bite the bullet and buy the 40 and new filter or get the 29 and use the filter I have??

IMHO; an Aquaclear 50 is a bit undersized for a 29 gal QT anyway. I only use those on my 10 gal QTs.

An Aquaclear 70 will provide more flow and more importantly, more surface area on the sponge to housing nitrifying bacteria for breaking down ammonia. You can always dial the filter down if its too much flow.

 

[blkhwkz]

So my options seem to be a 29 (same as a 20 gallon just taller) or I can get a 40 breeder. I have an aquaclear 50 HOB filter that I think would be ok for 29 but not so sure on the 40. Should I bite the bullet and buy the 40 and new filter or get the 29 and use the filter I have??

I'm using the Aquaclear 50 on a 29 standard for QT. I probably should have bought the 70 for the bigger sponge. I've been using a sponge and some filter floss I seeded in one of my other tanks. Next round I might use 2 sponges. I'm using a large (made for 150 gallon tank) air pump for oxygenating the water while using meds.

 

[Thor2j]

I'm using the Aquaclear 50 on a 29 standard for QT. I probably should have bought the 70 for the bigger sponge. I've been using a sponge and some filter floss I seeded in one of my other tanks. Next round I might use 2 sponges. I'm using a large (made for 150 gallon tank) air pump for oxygenating the water while using meds.

Do u need the air, I was planning on putting a power head across the surface?

 

[blkhwkz]

Do u need the air, I was planning on putting a power head across the surface?

You should be fine with that, I had no powerhead. When using prazi, and antibiotics, after I wanted to have as much oxygen as possible.

 

[Thor2j]

I broke down and bought the 40 breeder and the aquaclear 70. Going to pick it up tomorrow. Have had a sponge from a 50 seeding for a few months. Is the 70 just bigger?? Figure I'll cut up the 70 sponge and put the 50 in with it. Fish going in Wednesday or Thursday. Planning on using 20 gallons from my water change DT and 20 new. Still not positive on my method but leaning towards prazipro and copper.

 

[melypr1985]

I broke down and bought the 40 breeder and the aquaclear 70. Going to pick it up tomorrow. Have had a sponge from a 50 seeding for a few months. Is the 70 just bigger?? Figure I'll cut up the 70 sponge and put the 50 in with it. Fish going in Wednesday or Thursday. Planning on using 20 gallons from my water change DT and 20 new. Still not positive on my method but leaning towards prazipro and copper.

Sounds like a solid plan.

 

[Humblefish]

Sounds like a solid plan.

+1

 

[Thor2j]

So i am putting everything together. My question is should i just run the sponge filter or also run the ceramic ball bag that came with the aquaclear 70??? I have a filter that has been in my DT sump for 2 months.

Is it best to run the HOB filter in the center or one end and a power head on the other??

Can you run the HOB filter on the short ends??

Should I use some MB7 to help the bacteria??

Thanks

 

[melypr1985]

Is it best to run the HOB filter in the center or one end and a power head on the other??

I like ceramic media, but it can absorb some medications like copper. I never had much of a problem with it, but it's possible. The more room for bacteria, the better.

Can you run the HOB filter on the short ends??

Of course!

Should I use some MB7 to help the bacteria??

Absolutely!

 

[Thor2j]

So today is day 3 of my quarantine. From what I understand prazipro is only good for 3 days. How much of a water change should I do?? Then re add prazipro one more time??

 

[melypr1985]

So today is day 3 of my quarantine. From what I understand prazipro is only good for 3 days. How much of a water change should I do?? Then re add prazipro one more time??

Just your normal water change is fine. You'll wait 5-7 days after the first dose to dose again.

 

[Bdog4u2]

Did you quarantine the original fish in your DT? if not there's still chance you have some nasties in your main tank and it hasn't had the opportunity of show itself. I had ich pop up years ago when the canister filter hose popped off in one of my tanks while I was in jersey and when I got home it had 4 inches of water well once I got everything fixed and refilled about a week later most of my fish had spots and I hadn't added a fish in over a year. so you might want to treat all your fish just to be sure