QT Tank Questions

[Praben]

I just picked up a 10 gallon tank to use as a QT tank. I was looking for a HOB filter, although wasn't sure what type to go with. The guy at the LFS said do not use a HOB filter for this type of tank (would only create algae/nitrate issues), only a power-head or two and water changes. This is not what I read a lot on here. Filter or no filter? What would be the best type of filter for this setup?

Was planning on putting a piece of liverock or two and a NEW bag of live sand.

Also, I would like to QT coral with this setup too. Could anyone point me in the right direction for lighting/fixtures that would mount on top of this tank. Thanks in advance!

 

[RegalAngel]

For a QT and can turn into a hospital tank w/ medications, do not use any live rock or sand...bare bottom tank.
Use a HOB filter should work fine...nitrates are not an issue in a short term QT.
Also, you don't need to cycle a QT. Use Seachems Stability when you add a fish to the QT and you will be fine. Once done with fish, shutdown the QT until next time.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=16566626&postcount=23

 

[dcombs44]

Read here.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-10/sp/feature/index.php

 

[Praben]

Great information. Thanks guys.

I have a 125gal as my display tank. After reading the 2nd article, I may go with the roughly 30gal tank I have for QT. Any particular place online and type of lighting you would recommend? I'm just starting out, so I plan on QTing a lot of Coral over the next year. As the article said, I don't want to put metal HL up, but maybe some inexpensive HO/VHO?

 

[dcombs44]

I buy most of my lighting components from www.hellolights.com

I would say that you could get away with a small pc setup for QT purposes.

I even know of people that grow out corals under 5500K spiral compact fluorescent bulbs from wally world. Colors won't be good, but they will sustain a coral for QT purposes.

 

[muttley000]

The HOB filter is fine, take the filter pad and put it in a high flow area of your sump. Change it out every couple weeks so it doesn't get too much detritus build up in it. when you need your QT tank fill it with water change water and put your pad in the HOB filter. Instant cycled QT with identical water chemistry to your display! A decent flourescnt fixture, or one of the clip on fixtures for a nano tank should work well for qt of corals.

 

[Praben]

Just something like this for the HOB filter? Then keep a pad (rotating) in the sump?

http://www.marinedepot.com/Aqueon_Quietflow_Aquarium_Power_Filter_HOB_Power_Filters_for_Tanks_Over_30_Gallons-Aqueon-XO06080-FIFRHBTO-vi.html

If I needed to set this up ASAP, could I use a fresh filter and put something else in the QT tank for a few days (like used sock filter)? I was going to look at some new corals tomorrow, and just in case.

 

[Praben]

Can anyone chime in on the ASAP set-up? I'm looking at some frags after work today that are apparently unbelievable rare crazy stuff! Somehow I doubt they will be anything like that, but just in case I want to know if I could have the QT tank ready in an hour (after buying a HOB filter on way home). Would throwing a sock filter (used) in the QT tank be the equivalent of putting the filter pad in the sump for a few weeks? Would the new filter be ok as long as the sock is in there?

 

[stingythingy45]

Can anyone chime in on the ASAP set-up? I'm looking at some frags after work today that are apparently unbelievable rare crazy stuff! Somehow I doubt they will be anything like that, but just in case I want to know if I could have the QT tank ready in an hour (after buying a HOB filter on way home). Would throwing a sock filter (used) in the QT tank be the equivalent of putting the filter pad in the sump for a few weeks? Would the new filter be ok as long as the sock is in there?

Usually,unbelievable crazy rare stuff is unbelievable crazy money also.
So if you don't want to throw money away,get the QT set up correctly and stop window shopping before you have a place to house stuff.