Guide to setup a Quarantine Tank (QT).

[HumbleFish]

Let me ask you this... How large (in inches) are the biggest fish you are wanting to QT? Knowing that will help me advise you better.

 

[60diablo]

The final fish will be around 3 to 5 inches. The Angel would be the largest at 5" to 6" tops. I try to go on the smaller one so I can watch them grow. I would hope to have them long enough to maybe re-home them one day.

 

[HumbleFish]

The final fish will be around 3 to 5 inches. The Angel would be the largest at 5" to 6" tops. I try to go on the smaller one so I can watch them grow. I would hope to have them long enough to maybe re-home them one day.

My advice:

1. Stick with 3-5" fish and let them grow into your tank.
2. Use a 29 gallon or 40 breeder as a QT. (Petco sometimes runs a $ per gal sale on those.) Every now & then things go sideways in QT, and you need to break everything down, sterilize and start over. You don't want to have to do all that with a 75 gallon tank.

Below lists everything you need to setup a QT:

1. Heater/thermometer
2. Small powerhead or air pump/air stone, for circulation & gas exchange.
3. Freshly mixed saltwater which has been fully dissolved and circulating for at least 24 hours. Alternatively, you can use DT water to fill your QT so long as you are confident that your display tank is disease-free. Do not siphon near the bottom of your DT, to prevent detritus from being transferred to the QT.

Optional/recommended equipment:

1. Light (can just be a simple, one bulb fixture)
2. Hang on the back (HOB) power filter, where carbon or even a "œseeded" sponge can be added
3. Egg crate (used on lighting panels), which can easily be cut with snips to build a custom top to prevent fish from jumping
4. PVC elbows used as "œcaves" in which the fish hide
5. Seachem Ammonia Alert badge

 

[60diablo]

Ok thank you. I'm hearing you. A 75 would be a lot to strip and start over. Ok I will start looking for a 40g breeder. I think anything smaller would be really tough on those larger fish. I will definitely keep them under 5".

How long would you QT for 6,7,8,9 weeks? I'm really not in a rush as I have to go fishless in my DT for at least 120 days. Some say 150 days.

 

[HumbleFish]

How long would you QT for 6,7,8,9 weeks? I'm really not in a rush as I have to go fishless in my DT for at least 120 days. Some say 150 days.

30 days using one of the following:

1. Chloroquine phosphate
2. Copper Power + Hanna Instruments High Range Copper Checker HI702

I would also deworm using Prazipro, either before or after.

 

[60diablo]

30 days using one of the following:

1. Chloroquine phosphate
2. Copper Power + Hanna Instruments High Range Copper Checker HI702

I would also deworm using Prazipro, either before or after.

I was thinking of not using copper power unless something serious came up during the QT period. That's why I was asking if a QT period of 6 weeks is enough time to observe for a serious disease like Ich or Velvet. I really don't want to treat healthy fish with copper power. I'm I wrong?

I was going to use Prazipro right away. I know it won't help with Ich or Velvet that's why i will observe as long as i need to.

I'm going with your recommendation with a 40g breeder. Going to pick it up tomorrow.
Thanks for all your input. Please keep it coming

 

[HumbleFish]

I was thinking of not using copper power unless something serious came up during the QT period. That’s why I was asking if a QT period of 6 weeks is enough time to observe for a serious disease like Ich or Velvet. I really don’t want to treat healthy fish with copper power. I’m I wrong?

The distribution system is pretty polluted with disease right now. If you are going to just passively observe in QT, I recommend using black mollies as a "canary in a coal mine" to detect diseases before they greatly impact your SW fish.

More info: https://hubpages.com/animals/Keeping-Breeding-and-Raising-Saltwater-Mollies

 

[Dale_M]

I've had a 5 gal QT set up for 3 weeks now with 2 Bangaii Cardinals which have been doing great. All water parameters are normal.
There are 2 PVC fittings for hide spots.
I am wondering, is it normal for diatoms to grow on the PVC?

 

[Dr. Reef]

yes its normal. Diatoms are related to silicate levels in sand or salt and over time this phase will pass.

 

[Trailermann]

Disappointed that this thread is only relating to fish. Where can I find guidelines on setting up a permanent coral QT?

 

[Dr. Reef]

Disappointed that this thread is only relating to fish. Where can I find guidelines on setting up a permanent coral QT?

Its not a whole lot different. You setup a tank and cycle it.
Make sure on a coral qt you need to have all the parameters in line and lights strong enough to grow corals.
I would have some egg crates or frags racks in steps from low to high light demand corals.
Acceptable ranges

Alk 7-11 Dkh
Cal 380-440ppm
Mag 1100-1700ppm
Phos under 0.05
Nitrates under 10ppm

Good enough flow.
Dip all incoming corals in Revive.

here is a little guide i did write a while back some what addressing your question

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2157531

 

[Malign Reefer]

Is running a UV filter on a quarantine system a no no or is it beneficial to kill bacteria and other things that might be a problem?

 

[Dr. Reef]

Is running a UV filter on a quarantine system a no no or is it beneficial to kill bacteria and other things that might be a problem?

If you are going to run it on a qt tank, there are a few things to worry about.

1. Make sure running uv wont raise temp of water.
2. run uv for few hours a day not 24/7
3. no direct exposure to fish

uv will kill anything and everything passing across it, good or bad.

 

[Malign Reefer]

If you are going to run it on a qt tank, there are a few things to worry about.

1. Make sure running uv wont raise temp of water.
2. run uv for few hours a day not 24/7
3. no direct exposure to fish

uv will kill anything and everything passing across it, good or bad.

Thank you!!