Need to set up a QT tank.

[Adrmsmi1]

Hey guys, so quick backstory: inherited 180 gallon salt water tank, has 10 fish, two star fish, whole bunch of snails and a couple hermit crabs. Aside from Tangs looking like they're dying out of nowhere at random intervals, everything has been pretty good.

Problem is the original owners took the QT tank.

Now I've been trying to look into everything and read the forums but seriously, I'm a bit lost. Can someone please just tell me what to buy exactly? I really just want to go into my local fish store with a list, buy everything, and get it going. The forums have been great for how to filter the water and stuff and I will use those once I have everything. I just don't know what size tank, lights, filtration system, etc., to put in.

Sorry for being such a noob, thank you to everyone ahead of time!!

 

[925Reefer]

#reefsquad

 

[SuncrestReef]

Take a look at this article: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/quarantine-setup-made-easy.755/

 

[Flippers4pups]

I like 20 longs personally with a hang on the back filter such as a bio wheel. I have a few extra bio wheels and keep some in my sump to seed with bacteria. Place in the QT when I need it to help with the small bio load. A small heater,one rated around 50 gallons works well.
I also like screen tops to keep jumpers from jumping. Pvc pipe for hiding and sand tubs for wrasses when I buy one that sleeps in the sand. No lights, just ambient room light.

 

[K7BMG]

Agree with Flippers4pups.
Nothing special is needed.
A tank 20g is perfect
hang on the back filter for a 20g tank.
Extra filter media, remove any carbon inside them.
I however will recomend a bit more
An air pump and stone.
If you have to treat with medication you need to add oxygen.
An ammonia badge
A temprature gauge
A heater.
Also you will need the tank to be cycled.
1.5 or 2 inch PVC parts. For hiding spots.
Thats your list.

Meds you should have
Copper Power
Prazi
Prime
Have extra saltwater ready.
If you are gona QT corals then lighting will be required

 

[KingTideCorals]

Maybe this can help! New upload of the week..

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Ok so you got a used tank, So did you move the tank to your house, take the water sand and rock with you, did you then put all of that back in the old tank in the new house? Put all of the livestock and corals back in?

 

[Adrmsmi1]

Ok so you got a used tank, So did you move the tank to your house, take the water sand and rock with you, did you then put all of that back in the old tank in the new house? Put all of the livestock and corals back in?

No, we bought a house that had the tank and they left it for us. The old owner left instructions on how to care for the fish inside, how to maintain the filtration system, and how to do the water change. He also left some food to get us started. We've been purchasing other stuff as we go and we're just way past due on getting a QT tank set up.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Thanks, maybe you can join a local club or reach out to one for some assistance, having experienced eyes on it would do a world of good.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Hydro Sponge Filter - Google Search

Check the link, I use one these and a small heater for my QT they work great.

 

[Adrmsmi1]

Alright, so this is what I got so far, tell me what y'all think!

• 29 gallon tank (hubs wanted to get a 40 but they didn't have any that would fit in the spot it's going in)
• Seachem Alert Combo pack
• Fluval Sea CP3, 50 gal circulation pump
• Aquarium Solutions Bacto-Surge Sponge filter kit
• Aqueon Quiet Flow 50 LED Pro power filter
• Aqueon Submersible Aquarium Heater, 150W, up to 55 gallons
• Marina Aquarium floating thermometer

Picture includes everything but the tank.

I still need to get the hiding spots (my hands were full when I walked by that stuff and then I forgot), the screen, and the meds. We do have some meds left from the old owner but I need to go through it and see what's still good.

Thank you again so much for all your help guys!!

 

[K7BMG]

Unless you need or plan to QT large fish I would stick with a 10 or 20G

If you need to treat with medication that's a lot of medication to get to and maintain therapeutic levels.
So for instance you have to cure ICK with Copper Power.
You will need almost 30ml to get from 0 to 2.5ppm.
A 4 ounce bottle will only yield 4 doses.

The same goes with the other meds.
More water the more medication input to reach the required therapeutic level.
I encourage you to look at the medications you will need and calculate how much you will need for a proper treatment.

Not to mention the water changes and salt mix that will be needed.
Just something to think about.

Another tip I recommend is buying a roll of blue 2 inch wide painters tape.
Put the tape along the side or across the top of the tank and that's a great place to jot down information like start date, meds and med levels. Or one of the wax pens they use that can be easily erased or wiped off.
Especially if more than one person is tending the tank.

 

[Adrmsmi1]

Unless you need or plan to QT large fish I would stick with a 10 or 20G

If you need to treat with medication that's a lot of medication to get to and maintain therapeutic levels.
So for instance you have to cure ICK with Copper Power.
You will need almost 30ml to get from 0 to 2.5ppm.
A 4 ounce bottle will only yield 4 doses.

The same goes with the other meds.
More water the more medication input to reach the required therapeutic level.
I encourage you to look at the medications you will need and calculate how much you will need for a proper treatment.

Not to mention the water changes and salt mix that will be needed.
Just something to think about.

Another tip I recommend is buying a roll of blue 2 inch wide painters tape.
Put the tape along the side or across the top of the tank and that's a great place to jot down information like start date, meds and med levels. Or one of the wax pens they use that can be easily erased or wiped off.
Especially if more than one person is tending the tank.

So we went with the bigger QT tank just because we were worried about having to do a mass quarantine if one of our 10 (which includes 3 tangs) got velvet and we wanted to treat the main tank, especially because we would have to remove our two starfish also.

I love the painter's tape/wax pen idea! It will mostly be my husband doing the water changes and medication because he has slightly more experience with it, but I know there will be times when I will be doing it, so that's a really good idea.

I saw on the R2R thread about getting dividers, which I think we had talked about doing at one point too. Might look more into that in the future.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Adrmsmi1]

Maybe this can help! New upload of the week..

Thanks Blaine! Lots of good info in your video!

 

[Adrmsmi1]

Take a look at this article: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/quarantine-setup-made-easy.755/

Thanks! This made me feel confident about the things I picked up today!

 

[Adrmsmi1]

Agree with Flippers4pups.
Nothing special is needed.
A tank 20g is perfect
hang on the back filter for a 20g tank.
Extra filter media, remove any carbon inside them.
I however will recomend a bit more
An air pump and stone.
If you have to treat with medication you need to add oxygen.
An ammonia badge
A temprature gauge
A heater.
Also you will need the tank to be cycled.
1.5 or 2 inch PVC parts. For hiding spots.
Thats your list.

Meds you should have
Copper Power
Prazi
Prime
Have extra saltwater ready.
If you are gona QT corals then lighting will be required

I literally walked around the store going between this list and @Flippers4pups 's list to make sure I got it all! Thank you guys so much!

My LFS didn't have PVC so I'll probably just grab some at Lowe's. They have other hides but it seems like the PVC is the better thing to use in the QT. Plus my hands were too full to pick up anything else. We have some meds and water cycles to go through before we get some fish in there but I'll definitely be keeping your list handy.

 

[Adrmsmi1]

Hydro Sponge Filter - Google Search

Check the link, I use one these and a small heater for my QT they work great.

Picked one up today from my local store! Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[KingTideCorals]

Thanks Blaine! Lots of good info in your video!

Thank you so much!

 

[Sharkman89]

Just a heads up, that seachem ph alert is not for saltwater

Alright, so this is what I got so far, tell me what y'all think!

• 29 gallon tank (hubs wanted to get a 40 but they didn't have any that would fit in the spot it's going in)
• Seachem Alert Combo pack
• Fluval Sea CP3, 50 gal circulation pump
• Aquarium Solutions Bacto-Surge Sponge filter kit
• Aqueon Quiet Flow 50 LED Pro power filter
• Aqueon Submersible Aquarium Heater, 150W, up to 55 gallons
• Marina Aquarium floating thermometer

Picture includes everything but the tank.

I still need to get the hiding spots (my hands were full when I walked by that stuff and then I forgot), the screen, and the meds. We do have some meds left from the old owner but I need to go through it and see what's still good.

Thank you again so much for all your help guys!!

 

[Adrmsmi1]

Just a heads up, that seachem ph alert is not for saltwater

Oh shoot, thanks for the catch! I'll go exchange it today!