Separate frag/observation tank

[DustinDec]

After dealing with ich and setting up an old Fluval Flex 32.5-gallon tank as a quarantine/hospital tank for treatment, we've decided to let the main tank go fishless for ~76 days. Now, we're considering getting another tank to observe new coral, keep frags, and possibly house a BTA with a couple of clownfish.

Right now, I'm looking at a 15-gallon Innovative Marine AIO tank. I know this might be a bit small for a BTA, but I currently have one in an acclimation chamber within the main tank. I got it on a whim, then ran into problems, and at this point, it seems healthy and is essentially going through QT since the main tank is fishless.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/15-nuvo-fusion-aio-cube-aquarium-innovative-marine.html?ab_version=B


Terrible idea? Do people typically keep separate tanks for incoming coral, or just dip them? I don’t want to create too much extra work because I’m worried about burning myself out.

 

[cdemoss01]

After dealing with ich and setting up an old Fluval Flex 32.5-gallon tank as a quarantine/hospital tank for treatment, we've decided to let the main tank go fishless for ~76 days. Now, we're considering getting another tank to observe new coral, keep frags, and possibly house a BTA with a couple of clownfish.

Right now, I'm looking at a 15-gallon Innovative Marine AIO tank. I know this might be a bit small for a BTA, but I currently have one in an acclimation chamber within the main tank. I got it on a whim, then ran into problems, and at this point, it seems healthy and is essentially going through QT since the main tank is fishless.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/15-nuvo-fusion-aio-cube-aquarium-innovative-marine.html?ab_version=B


Terrible idea? Do people typically keep separate tanks for incoming coral, or just dip them? I don’t want to create too much extra work because I’m worried about burning myself out.

@Jay Hemdal got anything?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

After dealing with ich and setting up an old Fluval Flex 32.5-gallon tank as a quarantine/hospital tank for treatment, we've decided to let the main tank go fishless for ~76 days. Now, we're considering getting another tank to observe new coral, keep frags, and possibly house a BTA with a couple of clownfish.

Right now, I'm looking at a 15-gallon Innovative Marine AIO tank. I know this might be a bit small for a BTA, but I currently have one in an acclimation chamber within the main tank. I got it on a whim, then ran into problems, and at this point, it seems healthy and is essentially going through QT since the main tank is fishless.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/15-nuvo-fusion-aio-cube-aquarium-innovative-marine.html?ab_version=B


Terrible idea? Do people typically keep separate tanks for incoming coral, or just dip them? I don’t want to create too much extra work because I’m worried about burning myself out.

I keep a fishless system that new corals are held in for 30 to 45 days before moving them to my display tanks. You can then inspect the corals in there closely to ensure they are not carrying any pests. The main issue with this idea is that corals require some time to acclimate to new conditions. In this case, you are asking the coral to acclimate twice; once to the quarantine tank and then again moving into your display. It is best to try and keep the lighting and water quality as nearly the same as possible between the two tanks.

 

[Fish Fan]

I do my best to try to QT everything "wet". I was running several smaller tanks, but I'm now in the process of setting up an IM Novo 25 gallon AIO to be a coral/motile invert QT tank. I also have a separate medicated fish QT in another area of the house for new fish. As Jay mentioned, I run the same lighting on my QT that I use on my DT to minimize stress to corals. And obviously I try to maintain water parameters consistent with my DT.

My comment here would be that if, like me, you have any concern about fish parasites coming in on things like coral plugs or even a snail, then keeping Clowns or any fish in your coral QT tank would not be recommended. I keep my invert QT tank fishless so that if a fish parasite was on anything I put into this tank, it will die out in about 45+ days without a fish to complete its lifecycle. If you keep fish in this tank, any fish parasites can and will multiply (even if your fish show no signs of illness) and even if you've eliminated coral pests, your corals may now transfer fish parasites into your display system. I would suggest leaving the fish out of your coral QT tank.

Good luck!

 

[DustinDec]

I do my best to try to QT everything "wet". I was running several smaller tanks, but I'm now in the process of setting up an IM Novo 25 gallon AIO to be a coral/motile invert QT tank. I also have a separate medicated fish QT in another area of the house for new fish. As Jay mentioned, I run the same lighting on my QT that I use on my DT to minimize stress to corals. And obviously I try to maintain water parameters consistent with my DT.

My comment here would be that if, like me, you have any concern about fish parasites coming in on things like coral plugs or even a snail, then keeping Clowns or any fish in your coral QT tank would not be recommended. I keep my invert QT tank fishless so that if a fish parasite was on anything I put into this tank, it will die out in about 45+ days without a fish to complete its lifecycle. If you keep fish in this tank, any fish parasites can and will multiply (even if your fish show no signs of illness) and even if you've eliminated coral pests, your corals may now transfer fish parasites into your display system. I would suggest leaving the fish out of your coral QT tank.

Good luck!

Yeah, this was what I needed to hear.

Are you just feeding an empty tank to keep nitrate up? How often do you change water?

 

[Fish Fan]

Well I’m not an expert on biosecurity or fish diseases but what I had been doing for the last 18 months or so is run a few 10 gallon tanks with a HOB, a heater, a light on the coral tank only, and not too much else. This was fine for fish and motile invert QT, but my corals didn’t do well in the bare 10 gallon setup.

Currently as mentioned I’m working on a 25 AIO to be a coral and motile invert QT tank (water coming as soon as today, I hope!). For this tank, I’m making a much greater effort to build a “real” reef tank, meaning, I hope to be able to keep my parameters stable for the corals. To this end, I expect to do weekly partial water changes, and manage any nutrient issues as they arise. I will be feeding the corals, but without fish I don’t see a whole lot of excess food or poop in this tank, but if needed I have a skimmer, ‘fuge light, and/or other gear I can add to this tank.

I hope that helps!

 

[Tahoe61]

I cycled an IM 14 gallon as a holding tank for my Pico. It's not beautiful but it has fish and inverts and corals. Pretty much the same equipment. Anything new or specious goes there. It really quite convenient.