Guide to setup a Quarantine Tank (QT).

[Spork3245]

Thank you so much! Should I use dividers with that size or no?

Just got back from Petco, no 55's in stock so I got a 40 gallon breeder for $40 + tax and a 10 gallon for $10 + tax.
So, I guess I'll keep the Angel in the 10, with the other fish should I use dividers or no? My concern is possible "space aggression" from the otherwise peaceful one-spot foxface rabbitfish, he's not full-grown yet though (probably around 5.5", max size will be 7-8"). I *could* put the foxface in the 10 and keep the other fish in the 40 though?

Thanks again!

 

[Dr. Reef]

Thank you so much! Should I use dividers with that size or no?

if there is no aggression (which i dont think there will be), no need for it.
I only use dividers when there are aggressive fish in qt and space is limited.

 

[Spork3245]

if there is no aggression (which i dont think there will be), no need for it.
I only use dividers when there are aggressive fish in qt and space is limited.

The Flame Angel and the Rabbitfish are my concerns, as I remember a post by Sk8ter stating that if a Rabbitfish is housed in too small of a tank they may start killing tank mates, though I don't know if this is a rarity or not, my foxface is fairly skidish and friendly. My Flame Angel can be a bully, sometimes chasing other fish but never biting. I suppose I could house them all together in the 40 gallon breeder I purchased (no 55's in stock) and then move either the flame or the foxface into the extra 10 gallon I purchased if I see aggression?

BTW - After reading through your main posts that you linked to and skimming the thread's replies, I think I'm going to attempt hypo-salinity over medicating as this would allow me to convert the 40 gallon into another reef tank (or attempt a seahorse tank) where-as treating with copper would likely "taint" the tank forever.

Seriously, thank you so much for all your help and all of your threads on these subjects. I would honestly be screwed right now if not for you and these threads. Rock on!:beer:

 

[Dr. Reef]

I understand, and all fish act differently. i have had 2 angels in 120gal before some say they will kill each other. i have 2 pairs of clowns in my 300 which is also rare. i have 21 anthias of 4 different kinda. etc
so all fish act differently. i think your idea is good. place them together and see how it works.
I just recently qt'ed successfully a hippo tang and Achilles in a 20gal tank with hypo. no aggression.
Hypo is a good treatment but make sure to have a well calibrated refractometer and hold salinity at 1.009 strictly. You can find the rest of the info in my blogs i mentioned earlier.
Good Luck and feel free to ask anything.

 

[Pigpen17]

I had a few questions. This is my first QT. I have an 8 day old QT set up. 10g with Aquaclear, sponge and bio rings with bio spira. I just added my first fish yesterday. An African Midas Blenny from Divers Den.

1: it is only the second day, but it still is hiding behind PVC in an awkward position and did not eat. How long can it go without eating until I have to worry? I was thinking of removing the PVC and adding a store bought tank decoration more suited to its needs. Maybe it will start to feel more comfortable.

2: I fed a bit of clam this morning and it was sucked up into my Aquaclear. Do I need to tear it down and get that out of there? I am worried about it being an unwanted source of ammonia.

Almost forgot. Ammonia 0, nitrate 0, nitrite 0, SG 1.024, Alk 10, temp 79.

 

[Dr. Reef]

Hi Pigpen17
its normal for a new fish to be shy and need time to adjust to new tank. keep lights off for first few days. Not eating is also normal and can last for many days.
Check for ammonia and nitrites in the tank and make sure they are 0.
I would leave pvc in the tank and not use decorations or rocks etc.
Any un eaten food should be siphoned out or manually removed in order to keep ammonia at 0 and nitrates creeping up may cause algae out break later.

 

[Pigpen17]

Got it. I don't have a light for the tank yet, so that's not a problem. The room lights are kind of bright though. I'll get them off. I covered half the tank with a towel yesterday, maybe I'll keep that on.

And the PVC stays. Stupid plastic decoration out.

Tearing down Aquaclear today.

Thank you.

 

[Brando457]

I went to Petco this morning at 9 am and picked up a 55g tank for quarantine . I also picked up a marineland 350 gph filter, tossed the carbon cartidges as I won't need them and moved my seeded sponges over to the QT.

So far the ammonia alert badge is showing 0, I added some food to test it out as well.

If all goes as planned I'll be picking up 2/3 fish next weekend to begin the QT process.

Thanks again for your help!

<iframe class="imgur-album" width="100%" height="550" frameborder="0" src="http://imgur.com/a/N2XkD/embed"></iframe>

 

[Dr. Reef]

That is nice setup. a few days after to get 2-3 fish is also good so bacteria has a chance to build up. I didnt see heater will the tank hold acceptable rang temp. 76-82?

 

[Brando457]

I have a 250 watt Jager heater in there it is in the back right corner. temperature in NJ right now is about 45, but the single 250 watt seems to be doing the trick.

My tank on the other side of the room is a 180 glalon w/ 75g sump. Kind of cool to have all the tanks there looking clean .

 

[Dr. Reef]

i see the heater now, kinda hidden. lol. yes a 250w will keep up.
Yes its best to have all the tanks close, works out better.
For what its worth here is my setup.

All tanks are next to eachother. Along with dual qt setup. Transfer and observing is easy.

 

[Dr. Reef]

You can see in the last pic the hippo and achilles both together in a 20 gal tank. i just mentioned that to someone in earlier posts. No aggression. they handled the hypo really well and today they live in my main happily.

 

[Brando457]

very nice setup, when I have a house of my own one day I plan on doing something similar.

I msged a guy in NJ who is selling a yellow tang, naso tang, and hippo tang. He advised they all had ich at one point. Hopefully he accepts my offer and I can pick them up next weekend. Plan is to let them get adjusted and then slowly lower to salinity to hypo them.

 

[Dr. Reef]

Thank you,
Well be carefull buying sick fish. chances are 50% in ur favor already and then if your not good at qt/treatment you can introduce parasite to main.

 

[Brando457]

the guy said he had them for 2/3 years each and they're eating like pigs. I have prazi-pro, crypto-pro and some other meds if I need to do anything additional besides hypo.

 

[Dr. Reef]

the guy said he had them for 2/3 years each and they're eating like pigs. I have prazi-pro, crypto-pro and some other meds if I need to do anything additional besides hypo.

ok,
they may still be carrying parasites just build immunity in his tank. can out break once moved and stressed.
I would definitely start with prazipro and then hyposalinity for well 4-6 weeks then observe for another 4 weeks. longer the better as there is known chance of ich. I would be 100% sure before moving them to DT.

 

[Brando457]

Prazipro for 1 week? Hyposalinity for 4-6 weeks & observe 4 weeks?

Does that seem correct?

I was wondering how often I should do water changes on the tank? I keep typically 60g of salt mixed on hand, just ordered 2 x 200g boxes since I had to pop open my 160g bucket and thats the last of it :x.

 

[Dr. Reef]

Prazipro for 1 week? Hyposalinity for 4-6 weeks & observe 4 weeks?

Does that seem correct?

I was wondering how often I should do water changes on the tank? I keep typically 60g of salt mixed on hand, just ordered 2 x 200g boxes since I had to pop open my 160g bucket and thats the last of it :x.

yes that is correct and like i said longer the better, i just wanna make sure ich dont make it to ur main tank.
I would do a little water change after prazipro treatment is over then let the tank ride the whole hyposalinity term. then do a water change. Unless some ammonia or mishap happens.
i generally let the treatment ride with no water change to keep everything consistent.

 

[lovemycarpet12]

I need help

 

[Dr. Reef]

I need help

how can i help u? we all try to help as much as we can and try to put newbies or stray back on track.
tell me whats going on?