Setting up fish QT for 500 gallon system

[1000rrstunna]

So I am setting up a monster tank.. I want to make sure my qt is sufficient.. I was originally planning on a 20 long and a 40 breeder to do multiple fish at one time connected to a sump… however after seeing and reading many articles I am considering doing canister filters instead…

Tank options are as follows

33 long 48x13x13
40 breeder 36x18x16
20 long 30x13x13

I know less water volume will yield less costs. But what will be the best for
Larger fish ?

Pvc decor and glass tops are a given with basic led single tube shop lights for some daylight mounted to the racks

The tanks will have bottom drilled bulkheads for fast drain down water change and washout that goes to a floor drain.

Am I forgetting anything ?

 

[vetteguy53081]

So I am setting up a monster tank.. I want to make sure my qt is sufficient.. I was originally planning on a 20 long and a 40 breeder to do multiple fish at one time connected to a sump… however after seeing and reading many articles I am considering doing canister filters instead…

Tank options are as follows

33 long 48x13x13
40 breeder 36x18x16
20 long 30x13x13

I know less water volume will yield less costs. But what will be the best for
Larger fish ?

Pvc decor and glass tops are a given with basic led single tube shop lights for some daylight mounted to the racks

The tanks will have bottom drilled bulkheads for fast drain down water change and washout that goes to a floor drain.

Am I forgetting anything ?

Two tanks are good for QT purposes but avoid introduction of too many fish at once which can impact biological loads and sudden spikes from feeding multiples mouths too soon.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

So I am setting up a monster tank.. I want to make sure my qt is sufficient.. I was originally planning on a 20 long and a 40 breeder to do multiple fish at one time connected to a sump… however after seeing and reading many articles I am considering doing canister filters instead…

Tank options are as follows

33 long 48x13x13
40 breeder 36x18x16
20 long 30x13x13

I know less water volume will yield less costs. But what will be the best for
Larger fish ?

Pvc decor and glass tops are a given with basic led single tube shop lights for some daylight mounted to the racks

The tanks will have bottom drilled bulkheads for fast drain down water change and washout that goes to a floor drain.

Am I forgetting anything ?

Edit: I see the tank size was in the message header. I'd go with 100 gallons of total QT space if you are going to bring in large numbers of fish at once. Go with 50 gallons if you are going to bring in small groups. You should have a tank large enough to hold any of the fish the 500 gallon tank will have in it - in case you need to isolate a fish in the future.

What size is the DT?

I like to have QT/isolation space equal to about 20% of the DT volume.

Jay

 

[MnFish1]

So I am setting up a monster tank.. I want to make sure my qt is sufficient.. I was originally planning on a 20 long and a 40 breeder to do multiple fish at one time connected to a sump… however after seeing and reading many articles I am considering doing canister filters instead…

Tank options are as follows

33 long 48x13x13
40 breeder 36x18x16
20 long 30x13x13

I know less water volume will yield less costs. But what will be the best for
Larger fish ?

Pvc decor and glass tops are a given with basic led single tube shop lights for some daylight mounted to the racks

The tanks will have bottom drilled bulkheads for fast drain down water change and washout that goes to a floor drain.

Am I forgetting anything ?

I would go with the 40 Breeder - though you could probably get a 55 gallon standard tank for about the same price. Obviously - only a tank that is drillable on the bottom.

 

[1000rrstunna]

I have the 33’s local to me for 100$ so I would do that to conserve water vs a 55

 

[MnFish1]

I have the 33’s local to me for 100$ so I would do that to conserve water vs a 55

While you might save a couple dollars (and my guess is that you can often get a 55 gallon for less) - I think the 33 may be too narrow for (your quote) - large fish - I.e. stress levels.

 

[1000rrstunna]

I would go with the 40 Breeder - though you could probably get a 55 gallon standard tank for about the same price. Obviously - only a tank that is drillable on the bottom.

While you might save a couple dollars (and my guess is that you can often get a 55 gallon for less) - I think the 33 may be too narrow for (your quote) - large fish - I.e. stress levels.

The 33 is the same footprint as a 55 just 13” tall

 

[MnFish1]

The 33 is the same footprint as a 55 just 13” tall

Correct but it has 7 more inches 'up' - if not a 55 I would do the 40 breeder.

 

[sc50964]

What are the sizes and types of fish are you trying to QT at once?

 

[1000rrstunna]

Mostly tangs 6” or smaller.. I’m not a huge fish guy I like most smaller fish wrasse / cardinals/fire fish /goby’s /anthias. and tend to buy small vs adults

 

[sc50964]

Mostly tangs 6” or smaller.. I’m not a huge fish guy I like most smaller fish wrasse / cardinals/fire fish /goby’s /anthias. and tend to buy small vs adults

IME, a tang that’s 6” or less will do just fine in a 20G long by itself. I don’t like to QT other fish with tang due to its unpredictable aggression & the amount of waste tang produces. With wrasses, you need to make sure they can’t jump and hit the frame. Other than those two, all other ones are easy to QT.

 

[mdrobc13]

In a way its like real estate...space and location matters. I went with a 55g for my new QT set up and fill it 2/3rd full. Gives me space for smallest of fish to QT as well as multiple fish also if needed. I have multiple tangs and based my sizing on my once small but now large Purple Tang as if I had to remove and hospitalize him in my sizing. What you purchase now often saves you $$ later in the case you need it/more I've found out. Prior to that had 10g QT or 20gL which were fine for one fish but not more than 2 at a time I found.

 

[JC1977]

The 40 breeder has the most ideal footprint out of the tanks you’ve mentioned especially if we are talking about larger fish for a larger system. Honestly you can find 75 gallon aqueon tanks for half off all the time at Petco or even used 75s for sale for pretty cheap. Just depends how many fish and how big of fish you’re planning to QT.