Quarantine tank set up

FLReefer101 · Jan 2, 2021

So I just purchased a 65 gallon frag tank 51x17x18 for a qt tank. Out of all my reefing experience have never set up one or had one.
So my question is,

Do I cycle it they same as my display?

What do I use if no rock or sand to promote beneficial bacteria growth?

Can I cycle it with water from my display tank to help with the process?

Reeferman47 · Jan 2, 2021

Hey, I'm glad you bought a quarantine tank for your fish. Those sure do come in handy sometimes. I don't recommend using sand or rock. I have never done it. I just do a bare bottom tank with some large sized PVC pipe to have places for the fish to hide. You could also try an clay planting pot as well. You sure could cycle it with some water from your display tank but I would still recommend cycling it for the full month. It is basically the same procedure as setting up any other tank. Hope that this helps you out.

-Reeferman47

Uncle99 · Jan 2, 2021

I have never cycled a QT tank, I just don’t leave them there for more than 14 days unless there’s a problem, then I move them to a small hospital tank for direct treatment.

FLReefer101 · Jan 3, 2021

Best 60.00 I’ve ever spent! Thanks Facebook market place. This is going to be my qt tank for frags and fish.

cmaxwell39 · Jan 3, 2021

FLReefer101 said:
Best 60.00 I’ve ever spent! Thanks Facebook market place. This is going to be my qt tank for frags and fish.

It would be best, if possible, to QT inverts and fish separately. The best option would be to have 2 completely separate QT systems, one for fish and one for inverts. If that is not possible, at the very least make sure to only QT fish or inverts in the tank at one time.

Billdogg · Jan 3, 2021

Nice!

I've never cycled my QT either. On the rare occasions that I do bring something home, I just pull it off the shelf, fill it with water from my frag tank, and go with it. PVC pieces for me too. A dish of sand if there is something that needs it (some wrasses, etc) that gets tossed when I'm done. That makes medicating much easier IMO. As for water changes, I just pull water form the frag tank and use it in the QT, then top off the FT with saltwater. The frag tank thanks me for it's bonus water changes as well. I don't see a need to keep it running all the time since there isn't a need for it all that often.

Billdogg · Jan 3, 2021

cmaxwell39 said:
It would be best, if possible, to QT inverts and fish separately. The best option would be to have 2 completely separate QT systems, one for fish and one for inverts. If that is not possible, at the very least make sure to only QT fish or inverts in the tank at one time.

^^^This^^^ Many meds used for fish can be harmful to the inverts. In addition, the fish do better in QT with little to no light. Helps to keep them calmer.

FLReefer101 · Jan 3, 2021

cmaxwell39 said:
It would be best, if possible, to QT inverts and fish separately. The best option would be to have 2 completely separate QT systems, one for fish and one for inverts. If that is not possible, at the very least make sure to only QT fish or inverts in the tank at one time.

I’m going to be setting up another tank for fish possibly a 40 gallon breeder tank. I may make this a *** system eventually and use two 40’s for fish and inverts. This is separate from my medicine tank.

JGT · Jan 3, 2021

This raised a question for me which I wanted to bounce off you guys.
QT tank, with new saltwater, for corals only. Does it need to cycle? Would it even go through a cycle given there are no fish?

DrMMI · Jan 3, 2021

I usually keep a couple of sponge filters in my sump. After a few weeks, they're fully seeded and I can use them for my quarantine tank. If I use meds, then I toss the sponge when I'm done. This allows me to break down my quarantine tank in between fish purchases.