How big is your Quarantine Tank ? Show Us Your QT ?

[Brew12]

What exactly are you guys QTing on corals and inverts ? They carry disease too ?

I QT the inverts to protect the fish from disease like ich and velvet. When ich or velvet detaches from the fish it forms a cyst on any hard surface where it reproduces. Snail shells are a great place for this to happen. So, I QT them for long enough to get the parasite to hatch and then starve out before they go into my tank.
Any rock or frag plugs from coral can also be used by parasites to attach. Even though I Bayer dip my corals when I get them and try to clean them up as much as possible, I know that coral predators can make it through. So, I keep the coral in my QT to make sure no coral pests hatch and infect my DT.

 

[revhtree]

I have up to 4 identical tanks that can be used. All are 20g. Here are two of them running.

 

[Brew12]

This should be a focus for everyone.

The Rev, setting a great example on having what you need on hand before you need it!!!

 

[Finatik]

I QT the inverts to protect the fish from disease like ich and velvet. When ich or velvet detaches from the fish it forms a cyst on any hard surface where it reproduces. Snail shells are a great place for this to happen. So, I QT them for long enough to get the parasite to hatch and then starve out before they go into my tank.
Any rock or frag plugs from coral can also be used by parasites to attach. Even though I Bayer dip my corals when I get them and try to clean them up as much as possible, I know that coral predators can make it through. So, I keep the coral in my QT to make sure no coral pests hatch and infect my DT.

Gotcha ! Thanks for explaining that.
I guess I never really considered that hitch - hikers and disease could come in on corals and inverts. I was always only worried about the fish.
I will get a second tank for the corals and inverts. Thanks for the heads up !

 

[ksfulk]

What are those green flat trays at the bottom of the tank ?

Cheapo tupperware container with a few inches of sand for the sand burrowing wrasses that are in the observation tank.

 

[Tokash23]

Does everyone keep your QT running all the time or just when needed? If just as needed are you able to just seed the sponge in the filter with biospira or dr tims? Also if using an aquaclear do you need to dispose of the ceramic rings and sponges after dosing copper or meds and the fish are in the DT?

 

[Brew12]

Does everyone keep your QT running all the time or just when needed? If just as needed are you able to just seed the sponge in the filter with biospira or dr tims? Also if using an aquaclear do you need to dispose of the ceramic rings and sponges after dosing copper or meds and the fish are in the DT?

I only run them when needed. Once I get the last fish out I dump in some bleach and let it circulate for a few hours. Then I drain everything, throw away the sponge, and let it all dry out. I do reuse the ceramic media. Then the tank and equipment goes into a garbage bag in garage to keep it fairly clean until I need it again.

 

[Humblefish]

I have an extra 40 gallon breeder I was thinking of using as my fish QT tank, but I thought maybe that was too big.
Perhaps I should go down to 10 gallons or 20 gallons for QT. What do you guys think ?

What size/kind of fish are you wanting to QT?

Does everyone keep your QT running all the time or just when needed? If just as needed are you able to just seed the sponge in the filter with biospira or dr tims? Also if using an aquaclear do you need to dispose of the ceramic rings and sponges after dosing copper or meds and the fish are in the DT?

I only setup QTs as needed. The important part is always keeping plenty of bio-media (ex. sponges) going down in your DT sump, so nitrifying bacteria is constantly coming into contact with it. You can setup an all-new QT, but so long as your sponge has been stewing down in the DT sump for a month or two then you won't have to go thru a cycle.

I just throw those ceramic rings out because I worry about them absorbing medications.

 

[Tokash23]

I only run them when needed. Once I get the last fish out I dump in some bleach and let it circulate for a few hours. Then I drain everything, throw away the sponge, and let it all dry out. I do reuse the ceramic media. Then the tank and equipment goes into a garbage bag in garage to keep it fairly clean until I need it again.

Thats kind of what i was thinking seems like a waste to keep it up all the time, but i was confused on keeping it cycled and all.

 

[CarrieB]

I have 3 10g and 1 20g tanks I use for TTM as needed. I have a BioCube 29 that I use for coral QT/frag grow out/fish observation after TTM which is set up permanently. I take turns between getting new fish and getting new coral/inverts. I know that if a fish has a problem, I'll have to leave the tank fallow, but I do that for new coral anyway.

 

[Travis Rider]

Does everyone use a small powerhead in your QT? I have a 10G that I have set up currently. I have a HOB that is rated for a 25-30 gal tank. I was just wondering about water movement because I have stuff just sitting on the glass bottom. What are your thoughts?

 

[Brew12]

Does everyone use a small powerhead in your QT? I have a 10G that I have set up currently. I have a HOB that is rated for a 25-30 gal tank. I was just wondering about water movement because I have stuff just sitting on the glass bottom. What are your thoughts?

I don't run a powerhead in my 10g QT but I use an HOB designed for a 40g tank.

 

[melypr1985]

Does everyone use a small powerhead in your QT? I have a 10G that I have set up currently. I have a HOB that is rated for a 25-30 gal tank. I was just wondering about water movement because I have stuff just sitting on the glass bottom. What are your thoughts?

It depends on your needs. You don't have to start with one in there, but if you find that you need to add O2 to the tank, it's a good option to have at hand.

 

[Michael E.]

Here's a video of one of mine:

20G?

 

[pdiehm]

Finally planning to set-up a proper Quarantine Tank, and I'd like to see what others are doing for QT. Please share photos, and describe tank size and set-up.

I have 2 10 gallon tanks, 2 heaters, 2 nano powerheads, 2 pvc creations for tank transfer. I have a 20 long for observation. After tank transfer.

Eventually I will get a tang or 2, and buy them small so they should be ok in the 20 long for 14 days. By small, I mean 1-1.5".

 

[Tokash23]

I know theres tons of info here on qt that i have read through but im guna ask anyway. Is it better to qt just for observation at first or "medicate" anyway to treat things that may be there. If just observing is it necessary to wait longer than 4 weeks if the fish appear happy and healthy? I know im piggy backing off this thread just want to make sure im doing stuff correctly when i get to that point.

 

[Travis Rider]

I know theres tons of info here on qt that i have read through but im guna ask anyway. Is it better to qt just for observation at first or "medicate" anyway to treat things that may be there. If just observing is it necessary to wait longer than 4 weeks if the fish appear happy and healthy? I know im piggy backing off this thread just want to make sure im doing stuff correctly when i get to that point.

I tried the 'observation' piece and now my fish are in qt a second round for ich. I will be treating no matter what going forward.

 

[pdiehm]

I know theres tons of info here on qt that i have read through but im guna ask anyway. Is it better to qt just for observation at first or "medicate" anyway to treat things that may be there. If just observing is it necessary to wait longer than 4 weeks if the fish appear happy and healthy? I know im piggy backing off this thread just want to make sure im doing stuff correctly when i get to that point.

I do tank transfer for all fish, except wrasse. Then 14-21 days of observation following TTM. Knock on wood, have never had Ich in my tank.

 

[Tokash23]

I tried the 'observation' piece and now my fish are in qt a second round for ich. I will be treating no matter what going forward.

I suppose thats probably the best way to go unless you really know what your looking for ( i sure dont lol)

I do tank transfer for all fish, except wrasse. Then 14-21 days of observation following TTM. Knock on wood, have never had Ich in my tank.

I like the idea of the TTM i was just trying to avoid it as it looks like a pain.

 

[Elder1945]

Evolution of my QT setup:
First Qt tank setup:


Second Qt tank setup:


Finally moved out of the closet and setting up my 3rd QT setup right now, The Nuvo 20 is a great QT tank.