would this work as a larger QT?

ballroomdude · Oct 16, 2015

As I get nearer to finalizing plans on a 600 gallon build I'm doing I realize that I may need a larger than normally prescribed QT. My tank will be FOWLR and one of the fish I plan on keeping is a coral cat shark. I am thinking about how to QT him and the idea came to me to use a rubbermaid container like folks use for cheap sumps. It would sort of act as a pond of a QT and I could easily make something happen in the 100 gallon range which should give decent swimming room to a smaller specimen.

I would be willing to go so far as to make my QT tank its own separate system complete with protein skimmer, etc.

Thoughts?

cu455 · Oct 16, 2015

How large will the catshark be? Kiddie pools work great. Here is a great manual, read the chapter on QTing.

https://sites.google.com/site/elasmobranchhusbandry/manual

steve&mari · Oct 16, 2015

I don't see why it wouldn't work fine for you.

ballroomdude · Oct 16, 2015

I just want to make sure that it has enough room to swim properly as it gets used to my system and being fed, etc.

143MPCo · Oct 16, 2015

ballroomdude said:
I am thinking about how to QT him and the idea came to me to use a rubbermaid container like folks use for cheap sumps. It would sort of act as a pond of a QT and I could easily make something happen in the 100 gallon range which should give decent swimming room to a smaller specimen.

I would be willing to go so far as to make my QT tank its own separate system complete with protein skimmer, etc.

personally, you have a solid plan and I don't really see anything I would change.

143MPCo · Oct 16, 2015

maybe @Humblefish can make additional recommendations?

ballroomdude · Oct 16, 2015

I appreciate your consistent responding to my threads. I'm just trying to make sure I cover everything.

I have a few more questions I need to post after some more research.

143MPCo · Oct 16, 2015

ok I'll stop

ballroomdude · Oct 16, 2015

143MPCo said:
ok I'll stop

No! That was meant as genuine appreciation. I like your input and threads. Please keep sharing your insight.

Humblefish · Oct 16, 2015

The rubbermaid would work well for the shark, but it might be hard to see other fish 360 in that from above. Would not a 75 gal QT work just as well?

maroun.c · Oct 16, 2015

if you have the space I'd also have a couple more small Q tanks . For smaller fish no need to be in a larger QT and smaller ones make medication and water changes easier.

ballroomdude · Oct 17, 2015

I've considered getting a separate 75g aquarium and section it in half for other qt purposes

cu455 · Oct 19, 2015

If you are going to get a shark pup, like the ones that is normally sold at pet shops I wouldn't recommend a large qt. It will stress the shark out and make it hard for you to feed and keep an eye on it. A half of a 75 gallon will be perfect, unless you plan on using copper in the other half. Sharks are sensitive to copper.

Here are some catshark pups I was growing out. I used a ~25 gallon storage bin and it was great for them.

ballroomdude · Oct 19, 2015

Oh wow......ok.....those are much smaller than I was anticipating. Good deal. That changes some things.

saltysilverado · Oct 22, 2015

Be extremely careful and avoid all copper medications, also make sure to have at least a sponge filter or a heavy air stone as these sharks need a higher than normal need of dissolved oxygen!