I used to think it was not worth having a quarantine tank. Couldn't afford it, didn't have the space, etc etc:neutral:.
After having our tank population of fish wiped out by marine velvet in the past and having fish succumb to ich as well as getting infected corals, I realized early on I couldn't afford NOT to have an quarantine tank.
I also help out in my local forum with a program called Tanks for Teachers in which we donate tanks , corals and fish to local schools. When I add new fish to a school tank, I like to make sure they are well acclimated, feeding and are healthy.
I also get lots of donations of corals from fellow reefers for this program and don't want them potentially contaminating my main system.
I used to use a 40 gallon frag tank as a quarantine system but then I plumbed it into the main tank for more stability. Then I was using a 29 gallon biocube but this was just too small.
When you set up a quarantine tank it still goes through a cycle. I have found that corals and fish do better when the tank has been set up and the parameters are stable. I like to have a system that is up and running if I need to move a sick fish or coral.
A local reefer who does acrylic work came up with a brilliant design. I have a limited space so no room below for a sump. He came up with an all in one design with multiple compartments to hold more fish so they don't fight and are less stressed.Very nice design!(clap)(clap)
Picked up the tank yesterday and it passed the water test! (clap)(clap)
As you can see the space is very tight and we wanted to maximize the space!
It fits like a glove!1smile1
Simple plumbing job with this all in one design