Quarantine tanks

[Marcom12]

Ok I have searched around and cannot find a decent answer to this question.

The basic question is..... can I setup a QT tank as a “reef only” tank and use it for observation only, and if I see an issue that requires medication, I transfer into a “hospital” tank for treatment?

The reasoning is.... I’d like a tank up and “established” so the new fish is in a *real*tank not just one whipped together and unstable.
I know I COULD just throw one up with an established filter or something.... but that still doesn’t seem ideal.

plus then I could have a mini reef with no fish to enjoy between new fish.

 

[Han]

You could just keep a fish in the qt as a permanent resident, I use a molly. Keeps it cycled and gives whoever is in qt a tankmate.

 

[Marcom12]

You could just keep a fish in the qt as a permanent resident, I use a molly. Keeps it cycled and gives whoever is in qt a tankmate.

But not coral?

 

[Han]

But not coral?

i personally wouldn’t, any medication you used would likely harm the coral.

 

[Super Fly]

some people keep sand and liverock in QT tank. If a reef tank is used as QT, then it would also be a real pain to catch any fish to transport it to DT.

 

[Marcom12]

i personally wouldn’t, any medication you used would likely harm the coral.

Well like I said in original post, I’d use the “reef QT” would only be observation.... if has something I’d move to a “hospital” tank.
I am working on the assumption 90% of any QT’d fish will be disease free.

 

[Han]

Well like I said in original post, I’d use the “reef QT” would only be observation.... if has something I’d move to a “hospital” tank.
I am working on the assumption 90% of any QT’d fish will be disease free.

then you could definitely do that, as long as you don’t mind having 2 tanks.

 

[phatduckk]

Well like I said in original post, I’d use the “reef QT” would only be observation.... if has something I’d move to a “hospital” tank.
I am working on the assumption 90% of any QT’d fish will be disease free.

"Problem" is if there's sand, rock, frag plugs, snails (anything hard) in this reef QT...

if there's a fish in the reef QT with ick (or any parasite) you'd have to move it to a hospital tank for treatment and make sure to leave the reef QT fallow for the lifecycle of the parasite (45-76 days for ick). Otherwise, if any new fish enter the reef QT during the parasite's lifecycle you almost guarantee they'll get it.

That would work if you're patient enough. The only permanent issue would be something like uronema which can stay around w/o a fish host forever...

 

[Marcom12]

I don’t mind two tanks.... my goal I think is to have a QT tank that is always up and cycled and aged so to speak.... and Instead of a bare tank with pvc pipe just running with one fish or something, why not have a mini tank with a coral or two in it so it’s interesting to look at while I’m not quarantining anything.

I guess just throwing up a QT tank a day or two before getting a new fish sounds like not the best idea.... not cycled, not aged.... just bare....

or maybe I’m overthinking

 

[piranhaman00]

I have two QT Tanks in my room that are just PVC but always running. I understand what you are saying haha. Im hoping to just have a few more fish additions and then take them down, but I know that will never work.

 

[CuzzA]

If you want to avoid the pvc fitting look just buy fake coral resin decorations. $10 on Amazon. That's what I did for my qt. I also bought a coral reef tank background $10 PetSmart and used an old resin reptile pool I had laying around for a sand bed for wrasses.

It's a decent looking qt, but doesn't have the drawbacks of using items that can harbor parasites. It can all be quickly sterilized and restarted. With the bacteria in a bottle options we have right now I don't worry about it not being cycled. I can cycle the tank in a couple days if necessary. You can also add a wifi plug outlet for light automation and a gravity fed ATO. This helps a lot if you're busy.

I think a somewhat natural looking tank definitely reduces stress on fish as pvc fittings coupled with glass reflections makes some fish freak out a bit. Deadly? No, but stressful nonetheless. I relate it to us being in a hospital. Hospitals are stressful and uncomfortable. It's also at least somewhat presentable if you can't throw your qt into a corner out of view or a basement.