Add on tank to system ??

derek4real

derek4real

Member
I am in the planning phase of setting up a 120 (48X24X24) tank. I also want to add a "mini-me" tank (24X12X12, Frag/QT tank). This "mini-me" tank will be used as a frag tank/Observation/QT tank.

I wanted to get opinions on this concept.

I want to use the drain from the "mini-me" tank to gravity feed a UV sterilizers (to be on 24hrs.) for the purpose of observing new corals/fish for pest. For what I am wanting to use it for should I use UV sterilizer or Ozone.
 
that's the best application of a uv sterilizer i think I have heard of yet. I was going to add a refugium and frag tank to my system, but now I think a quarantine tank above the refugium and frag tank is in order. The UV will be plumbed in between the QT and the refugium... I never really cared for sterilizers because they are indiscriminate killers. They also need a slower water flow meaning that you have to dial back the return significantly, or run uv separately, which defeats the purpose of having one all together.

Great idea, thanks for the post.:thumbsup:
 
T Diddy said:
I wouldn't let a frag tank double as a QT though...
Click to expand...

it is really gonna be used for a observation tank for new addition prior to putting them in the display. All corals will be dipped with CoralRX or Coral ReVive before going in this "observation" tank.

Planning on using LED lighting for this tank.
 
I'm not sure I follow, but are you planning on plumbing water from the Main tank to QT/ frag tank and back, similar to a refugium?

If so, I think that's a bad idea. QT water should not ever get mixed with a Display tank's water. If you ever need to treat fish with copper or hypo, you can't.

If you mean strictly for coral QT and never a fish QT, then yes, probably a good idea.

I guess it depends on if you plan to have fish or not and how or if you plan on QTing them.
 
A UV is going to be pretty much useless for what you want. IMO set the tank up but don't rely on anything to keep pests out. A QT needs to be separate or it is not a QT.
 
I understand I will not be able to use copper or hypo methods on fish, if i go his way. It is mainly for coral observation for pests like red bugs, MENs, AEFW and such. I am thinking ozone might be better than UV for the application I am using it for.
 
I still like the idea of the QT in line with the sterilizer. If the corals are being dipped, they shouldn't have problems. As for fish, shut off the return, fill the tank with fresh water, drop in your new fish, then turn on the water from the return...salinity will return to acceptable levels soon enough for the fish, but not the hitchhikers. Chemical treatments are obviously a bad idea for an in-line QT, but the hypo would certainly work.
 
i guess some people dont understand the concept of a UV or Ozone.

I do understand the concept of a "proper" QT tank. but like i said I am not using it for that. I am not gonna be using chemicals, just using it for isolation.

I guess it is some thing I am gonna try on my own. Thanks for the positive comments T Diddy.
 
Last edited:
I would not want to plumb a drain feeding anything like an UV unit.
Too much chance for clogging etc. If you want to use an UV unit (I think they are useless) just get a HOB model for your frag tank.
Or put an inline model on the return line.
 
derek4real said:
I do understand the concept of a "proper" QT tank. but like i said I am not using it for that. I am not gonna be using chemicals, just using it for isolation.
Click to expand...

There's a terminology issue then. Quarantine means separate, not attached to anything else. Isolation also means separate, not attached to anything else. Whether you run UV, ozone or pixie dust in your system, separate and attached are two different things. Something cannot be both.

As for an "observation" system, why not just put the new coral in the front of the display tank and observe it? It's the same end effect as if you put it in an attached tank, without the extra hardware.

Jeff
 
Even for the purpose of viewing until the coral is colored up with full polyp extension, and agreeable with your water parameters/conditions, it is a great idea. Certainly it beats rearranging your scape and finding the perfect spot for the new addition only to have to remove it because it got stressed and died. If nothing else, it 'll be a fun project.

As for the fish QT, I guess we'll have to start calling it a decontamination chamber (DC). I will admit however that entirely eradicating Crypto is virtually impossible, especially from an existing reef tank.

I may try to set up the same type of addition in the coming weeks. We can run this little experiment together.
 
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