Guide to setup a Quarantine Tank (QT).

[Cbasss]

Thanks scuzy..well..u have only 3 fish left now...2 more died and looks like the 3 i have left will die too...they are covered in white, swim sideways and gold/ brown slimy looking in certain spots...i did fresh water dips before bed last night, looked a bit better but nobody want to eat...i think i will loose them all....

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[Vinno]

I got a aquaclear hang on running in QT at the moment, once al my fish get treated with copper and move on. How do I keep this QT tank going? Add fish food once a week?

Or are people finding just seed media sponge in main tank and when needed just pull that out and in a QT? is it only a small fast cycle spike ?

 

[Dr. Reef]

I got a aquaclear hang on running in QT at the moment, once al my fish get treated with copper and move on. How do I keep this QT tank going? Add fish food once a week?

Or are people finding just seed media sponge in main tank and when needed just pull that out and in a QT? is it only a small fast cycle spike ?

To keep an empty (no fish) QT just ghost feed the tank every 3-4 days a little pinch or so. This will keep the cycle going and bacteria intact.
Also use of carbon, polyfilter and cupramine will rid all the copper out of the system which will also help with bacteria production as copper will kill bacteria.

 

[canadianeh]

I am planning to set up QT tank while my DT is cycling.

I read that I can use the water from WC from my DT to set up a QT tank if I don't want to set up a permanent one and just set it up only when I need it.

My question is:
If I use the water and filter floss from my DT water change, does not it mean that I am using "dirty" water and "dirty" filter floss (from detritus) to QT my livestock? I mean when all the Nitrates are in the water.

 

[Dr. Reef]

I am planning to set up QT tank while my DT is cycling.

I read that I can use the water from WC from my DT to set up a QT tank if I don't want to set up a permanent one and just set it up only when I need it.

My question is:
If I use the water and filter floss from my DT water change, does not it mean that I am using "dirty" water and "dirty" filter floss (from detritus) to QT my livestock? I mean when all the Nitrates are in the water.

hi
i never recommend using water from existing tank it brings nothing good. so i would start with freshly mixed (aged atleast 12-24hrs). You can use a floss or filter or media from an existing tank to obtain instant cycle. chances to import dirties is less that way.
good luck

 

[Reef_Paddy]

What are people's thoughts on a Coral QT tank that is painted white on 3 sides and also the bottom? Potential for too much light or a good idea? (Could run a lower powered light with the right spectrum)


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[shellsea]

hi
i never recommend using water from existing tank it brings nothing good. so i would start with freshly mixed (aged atleast 12-24hrs). You can use a floss or filter or media from an existing tank to obtain instant cycle. chances to import dirties is less that way.
good luck

bnumair, thanks for putting this info together for all of us. 30 years in the hobby and I am finally setting up a quarantine tank lol.
Just so you know we really are paying attention, you confused me with this post saying never use water from existing tank when back in your first post you said
" Emergency QT.
In case you feel a need for a QT, just put together all the equipment and put water from your main tank in it and you are good to go.

I have a 30 gallon tank set up next to and plumbed to my 120 display. Was going to be a frag tank but now it will morph into a quarantine tank. Isolating it from display. If I leave it fallow for a while, ok to use display water or not?
Thanks. And again great job with this thread. Thanks.

 

[Dr. Reef]

bnumair, thanks for putting this info together for all of us. 30 years in the hobby and I am finally setting up a quarantine tank lol.
Just so you know we really are paying attention, you confused me with this post saying never use water from existing tank when back in your first post you said
" Emergency QT.
In case you feel a need for a QT, just put together all the equipment and put water from your main tank in it and you are good to go.

I have a 30 gallon tank set up next to and plumbed to my 120 display. Was going to be a frag tank but now it will morph into a quarantine tank. Isolating it from display. If I leave it fallow for a while, ok to use display water or not?
Thanks. And again great job with this thread. Thanks.

Hi
Thank you for pointing that out. Let me clarify emergency QT is a totally different ball game. It is one of the harder QT to maintain. If you read further it will tell you that you will have to maintain water quality on daily to hourly basis. You can start off with the main tank water but eventually you will do so many water changes that they'll be none left. That still is an outdated method I do not recommend that anymore. I would strongly recommend starting with freshly-made saltwater. Things have changed since I wrote this last. There are water stabilizing chemicals that are available in the market that were not tested or were not available or we didn't have enough feedback on them back then. Things are so much changing in this Hobby that some mothers do get updated or outdated.
Anyways it's always best to start with new saltwater with parameters as close yo main tank. ( temp, ph, salinity)

 

[shellsea]

OK Great. Thanks for clarifying. As I convert this frag tank to quarantine I will keep that in mind and start it off with fresh saltwater.

 

[stelliofleondis]

Is this a proper qt method
For corals I will first do a Bayern dip then a coral Rx dip followed by a iodine dip then a fw dip then they will be placed in qt tank for 2 months for observation and if anything should appear I will do more dips

My question is are there any dips that will kill bacteria on the coral?

For fish I will dose the tank with prazi pro then do a water change and dose cupermine followed by another dose of prAzi and a dose of Maracyn 2, the entire time I will be giving them formalin baths every other day when the treatment is done I will leave them in qt for another month and observe.

My question is will this take care of most issues I could run into and can I Qt a snowflake eel this way?

Thanks for the time reefers I'm trying to do this right so as to save myself many headaches! And some fishes/corals

 

[Dr. Reef]

honestly that s alot you will be doing and unnecessarily putting livestock in stress.
I would just simply use coral rx or revive on corals and observe them in qt for a white like u mentioned.
For fish as well i would just run prazi and curamine and observe over time.
i would avoid snowflake eel with copper meds.

 

[philly_rfa]

Hi
Thank you for pointing that out. Let me clarify emergency QT is a totally different ball game. It is one of the harder QT to maintain. If you read further it will tell you that you will have to maintain water quality on daily to hourly basis. You can start off with the main tank water but eventually you will do so many water changes that they'll be none left. That still is an outdated method I do not recommend that anymore. I would strongly recommend starting with freshly-made saltwater. Things have changed since I wrote this last. There are water stabilizing chemicals that are available in the market that were not tested or were not available or we didn't have enough feedback on them back then. Things are so much changing in this Hobby that some mothers do get updated or outdated.
Anyways it's always best to start with new saltwater with parameters as close yo main tank. ( temp, ph, salinity)

I have to be honest, my head is dizzy trying to figure out the right way to start up a QT. Many conflicting directions. Any help would be appreciated!

In particular, I am setting up a permanent tank. I am currently stocking up, so will do a lot of QT startup, breakdown, repeat. My plan is to get it running, have it ready for new additions. Then once done stocking, will run it for emergency use.

Would i be correct to do this:

• Fill with new water (aged 24h)
• Put filter floss (seeded in DT) in HOB filter
• Heat to DT temp
• Add something like microbacter7 daily to seed
• Add food every 3-4 days to feed bacteria

Watch for it to cycle, and when done, its ready to go?
Should i be running charcoal media if no meds are needed, or leave that out entirely?

 

[Dr. Reef]

I have to be honest, my head is dizzy trying to figure out the right way to start up a QT. Many conflicting directions. Any help would be appreciated!

In particular, I am setting up a permanent tank. I am currently stocking up, so will do a lot of QT startup, breakdown, repeat. My plan is to get it running, have it ready for new additions. Then once done stocking, will run it for emergency use.

Would i be correct to do this:

• Fill with new water (aged 24h)yes
• Put filter floss (seeded in DT) in HOB filter yes
• Heat to DT temp not required till last few days of qt to match parameters with DT before transfer
• Add something like microbacter7 daily to seed dont waste your money and time
• Add food every 3-4 days to feed bacteria once or twice a week

Watch for it to cycle, and when done, its ready to go? yes ready after ammonia and nitrites hit 0
Should i be running charcoal media if no meds are needed, or leave that out entirely?

i only use carbon to remove meds or copper etc out of water

 

[stelliofleondis]

I set up my qt system I got a 10 gallon starter kit from Walmart it came with a light hood filter and tank for 30$ can't beat that :bounce3:
View attachment 368331

 

[philly_rfa]

i only use carbon to remove meds or copper etc out of water

Thanks for info!

 

[Kaimana969]

LiveAquaria is very good online seller. and yes i think u got it now. glad i could help.

Would you recommend LiveAquaria for fish? My LFS are a bit suspect since I often see dead/dying fish on the bottom of the tank. Obviously this doesn't take away the need to quarantine but I'd like to start off with some hardy fish.

 

[Dr. Reef]

Liveaquaria is probably one of the best and most used websites in our hobby. Tons of people have bought fish from them including myself. I would buy with full confidence.
I have always used a pajama cardinal as my qt tank mate. It's hardy and tough and cheap.

 

[Bmezz]

How does a frozen shrimp start the cycle?
Do u have any damsels or something always in there to keep the cycle?

 

[Dr. Reef]

How does a frozen shrimp start the cycle?
Do u have any damsels or something always in there to keep the cycle?

A frozen shrimp or as a matter of fact any frozen sea food when placed in tank will decay and cause ammonia. Which is the start of nitrogen cycle. Once there is ammonia there will be bacteria to consume it and produce nitrites and nitrites to nitrates.

After thank is cycled you can keep a cheap fish like a green chromis or cardinal in there or simply ghost feed tank once or twice a week to keep bacteria fed.

 

[A777flygirl]

Is skkye 6x3 watt light OK for coral in quarantine tank?

Is skkye 6x3 watt light OK for coral in quarantine tank?

I bought a Nuvo fusion10 gallon tank kit for my quarantine tank and it came with a skkye 3x6 watt led light. Is that enough time to keep coral for 2 weeks?

Is 2 weeks enough time for coral? I am worried it will not get enough flow rate or light in the small tank....

Seems to be a balance to figure out between being safe with respect to hitchhikers and putting the coral in the appropriate environment to survive.

The KS for advise...so many different things I read that make it confusing