Starting a Quarantine tank

[16fishes]

Hey guys! I’m just wondering how I would set up a quarantine tank. I want to make sure that when I introduce new fish into my tank they don’t bring anything with them.

 

[Fish Fan]

This is the QT protocol thread that many of us here on R2R prefer. It's been recently updated to offer a few "levels" of QT depending on your risk tolerance, and how much time you want to spend QT'ing fish. I suggest this method because if you need help the author and other experts are here on R2R to help you if needed:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/current-quarantine-protocol.825055/
Good luck!

 

[16fishes]

This is the QT protocol thread that many of us here on R2R prefer. It's been recently updated to offer a few "levels" of QT depending on your risk tolerance, and how much time you want to spend QT'ing fish. I suggest this method because if you need help the author and other experts are here on R2R to help you if needed:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/current-quarantine-protocol.825055/
Good luck!

Thank you!!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hey guys! I’m just wondering how I would set up a quarantine tank. I want to make sure that when I introduce new fish into my tank they don’t bring anything with them.

You need the basics such as filter heater and of course tank
A starter kit from Walmart has the essential parts

 

[slingfox]

My basic setup is as follows:

- 10 gallon tank from Petco
- Seachem Tidal 55 Hang on Back Filter. This is theoretically oversized but I like to have more room for biological filtration and it provides aeration and water movement
- Aquarium sponge: This is what infill the HOB chamber with. If keep the sponge in a small
1 gallon bucket of saltwater when QT tank to running
- Cheaper heater
- Cheap powerhead
- Seachem Ammonia Alert badge on hand so I know when to do water changes when I have livestock. This is more necessary if you only run the QT tank on occasion and need to redo the cycle each time. Also safe to have if you plan to QT multiple fish at once.
- Three 3 inch PVC elbows from hardware store
- I have blacked out three sides of the tank with blackout window film from Amazon (cheap and easy to install). This keeps the fish very calm and reduces algae growth in the glass (my QT sits by a window)

 

[W31Olds]

A 10 Gallon Tank is adequate in most cases, but I would go with at least a 20 Long. It all really depends on what size fishes and how many you will be QT'ing. Tangs as an example require more room than say Clowns

 

[MnFish1]

As others have said, you need a tank that will fit your fish comfortably - but perhaps a little squeezed) , a heater, water (can be dechlorinated tap water) salt. A sponge filter, an ammonia test kit (agree with the seachem badge). A sponge filter will take care of oxygenation as well as not removing any of the treatments you're using.

Many people will say Don't use API for ammonia - I'm not in that camp - but for the copper you should use a Hanna tester.

It's actually fairly easy to have this type of tank available all the time - so you don't have to worry about cycling. I would keep water for water changes - depending on testing, (if you take 5 gallons out, merely put 5 gallons back in (AT THE SAME COPPER LEVEL THAT YOU REMOVED).

Some things to avoid (IMHO) - live rock, rock at all, instead use PVC piping for hiding places.l.

Another comment - don't overfeed - and remove uneaten food (again replacing with water at the proper copper level).

Check Copper level each day and add to reach 2.25 for chelated copper (which is recommended, IMHO)

Hope this helps, and I'm assuming that much of it mirrors what's already been said.

You can also buy a bacteria such as Fritz 9000 which will mitigate quickly against ammonia issues - though not as quickly as a water change if needed.