Fishless QT's

[Spar]

I currently have a 46g bowfront as my QT for non-fish (12 weeks isolation). It is overkill for sure, but really just the lights that are on it. I usually only have a couple corals at most in the tank. But a 46g tank adds for extra maintenance as well...

Anyone have something smaller that has worked fine for them? E.g. a 10 or 20g? And if so, what lighting and other equipment seems to be sufficient? Main focus would be on keeping coral (SPS, etc) healthy during the 12 weeks.

 

[ca1ore]

I run a 'full' reef tank as an introduction/coral/invert QT but it is not fishless, so perhaps not fully comparable to what you are asking. But I do run it just like my big display, with sand, live rock, UV, skimmer and Par38 LED lighting. It is a 30L I do not dose additives, and water changes are infrequent, but I have found it to be fine to QT clams, corals, etc. Since I also do use it for fish that are in the final QT stages, or for those fish from 'trusted' sources, a 10 or 20 gal would probably not be big enough. Although it has not happened yet, should a fish develop ich in this tank, then it would become fishless for at least 12 weeks.

 

[zeebies]

I run a continuous non-fish QT. My main tank is not nearly as big as yours - only a 40breeder - so my invert QT is 10 gallons and it works great. I add inverts on a 12 week cycle, then disperse to the DT if all is well. If I happen to find a cool coral or something that I need (want) in the middle of the 12 week cycle, then I add it to the QT and my 12 weeks starts over again.

I do weekly water changes, feed the tank a little and add supplemental algae if needed for algae grazers (turbos, urchins, etc.). I have a few live rocks, a shallow sand bed, cheap filter with carbon, powerhead, heater, PAR 38 bulb for light.

Easy, low maintenance, peace of mind.

 

[Spar]

Thanks both.

What wattage Par38 bulb do you use? Brand matter?

 

[HumbleFish]

I have a 29 gal (fishless) secondary reef that doubles as a coral/invert QT. No sump or anything fancy like that. Just a HOB powerfilter, HOB skimmer and small powerhead for circulation. For lighting I picked up a used Current USA 4 bulb T5 fixture for around $100. Pic of my setup here.

 

[zeebies]

24 watt, 20k, dimmable from coral compulsion. Brand doesn't matter so much. Full spectrum and dimmable is good.

 

[ca1ore]

I have been using a pair of rapid bulbs mixed with UV, 19 watts each I think. Works fine for 12 weeks.

 

[Spar]

24 watt, 20k, dimmable from coral compulsion. Brand doesn't matter so much. Full spectrum and dimmable is good.

Hadn't seen those before; look nice. So just 1 bulb over a 10g would be ok for 12 weeks (or more)? Or should I consider 2 bulbs? I assume since they are LED they will last several years? Do you just put into one of those clip-on reflectors from home depot (or wherever)?

 

[zeebies]

Spar, I just have one over my 10 gallon QT and my corals do very well. I don't have a lot of sps though, so can't advise you there. The LED experts would have to chime in on whether 2 bulbs would be better. And just to give you more choices there is a 40w PAR38 bulb. For a short term QT, I'd keep it simple and just use one of the 24w bulbs, but that's just me.

I know there is a 3 year warranty on those bulbs so you'd be good for a while.

You just screw the bulb into a regular lamp socket. You can buy a fancy goose neck fixture or keep it simple for the quarantine - like I do. Any simple clamp-on light will work.

 

[Spar]

Thanks. I went ahead and emailed the company to get their opinion also. Can't wait to downgrade this QT!