So, let's say for argument's sake I'm an idiot that should have quarantined and didn't (like, so many times now, but this last time is just so bad), and I'm going to restart my approach to new additions.
I want a proper coral QT this time - we're talking 3 months in coral prison for new inmates. I don't have that much space, so I would like to run the absolute bare minimum of equipment
I jumped on the auto water change bandwagon a while ago, and I'm doing ~2 gallons per day that is currently going down the drain. Let's say I take that 2 gallons (or maybe up to 3), and direct it into a quarantine tank (that then dumps its overflow down the drain). Is there a max size of QT tank where that 2-3 gallons per day eliminates the need for additional dosing and auto top-off (the main tank is trident controlled and running pretty abundant and stable calcium/alkalinity so it should always be a high quality input)? I'd like to be able to just provide light, heat and flow to this tank and know that even difficult SPS could be kept there for an extended stay.
I've read Randy's articles on water changes, and the idea that water changes can eliminate the need for Ca/Alk dosing doesn't really work, *but* in this case I really could be doing a daily 25-50% water change (on a frag system that likely wouldn't have the same kind of demands as a big established reef).
So the question is this, basically - what size coral QT system could be sustained long term using the 2 (or up to 3) gallons per day that my tank is currently throwing down the drain? I was thinking something in the 10 gallon range would probably be feasible, but is that underestimating? Overestimating?
Thanks,
Dave
I want a proper coral QT this time - we're talking 3 months in coral prison for new inmates. I don't have that much space, so I would like to run the absolute bare minimum of equipment
I jumped on the auto water change bandwagon a while ago, and I'm doing ~2 gallons per day that is currently going down the drain. Let's say I take that 2 gallons (or maybe up to 3), and direct it into a quarantine tank (that then dumps its overflow down the drain). Is there a max size of QT tank where that 2-3 gallons per day eliminates the need for additional dosing and auto top-off (the main tank is trident controlled and running pretty abundant and stable calcium/alkalinity so it should always be a high quality input)? I'd like to be able to just provide light, heat and flow to this tank and know that even difficult SPS could be kept there for an extended stay.
I've read Randy's articles on water changes, and the idea that water changes can eliminate the need for Ca/Alk dosing doesn't really work, *but* in this case I really could be doing a daily 25-50% water change (on a frag system that likely wouldn't have the same kind of demands as a big established reef).
So the question is this, basically - what size coral QT system could be sustained long term using the 2 (or up to 3) gallons per day that my tank is currently throwing down the drain? I was thinking something in the 10 gallon range would probably be feasible, but is that underestimating? Overestimating?
Thanks,
Dave