Quarantine Tank(QT)

[SloppyWhenWet]

A little about my set up: Have a 120G braceless 4'x2'x'2 with a 40 sump. Set it 2months ago and this is my first time reefing or having a fish tank. Had aiptasia so added two berghia(still finding them roaming the sump) and a klein butterfly( which clear all visable aiptasia in a week flat). Then my trigger got ich so i started to research quarantine tanks which i learned to keep a good display tank you should quarantine all new coral and fish for possible hitchikers.
20G with some pvc pipes, a sponge, heater, overflow return and air pump.
So the real question is what layout works best for QT tank for fish.
hyposalinity?
What is a good temperature?
What is acceptable cover?(no live rocks for ich to come back)
Time table?
What gear is needed for a tank at the minimum?
What chemical levels should i inspect?
And i would like to get some posts instead of always lurking. Add anything that may help or bash or vent or whatever.

 

[sponger0]

.
So the real question is what layout works best for QT tank for fish.
hyposalinity?
What is a good temperature?
What is acceptable cover?(no live rocks for ich to come back)
Time table?
What gear is needed for a tank at the minimum?
What chemical levels should i inspect?
And i would like to get some posts instead of always lurking. Add anything that may help or bash or vent or whatever.

Hypo just requires a basic QT tank.

Standard fishtank cover is fine

Time table for what?

Gear needed: HOB filter, heater, PVC, light, and powerhead

Check ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. And pH during certain treatments

And keep your QT simple. It doesnt need to be complex. Maybe a thermostat and ammonia badge also

 

[downbeach]

Good articles here:

http://www.reefland.com/forum/marin...-treatment/19255-fish-quarantine-process.html
http://www.reefland.com/forum/marin...ment/18915-copper-treatment-use-problems.html
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-10/sp/feature/index.php
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ichart2mar.htm
http://www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2009/07/fish-baths.html

 

[SloppyWhenWet]

HOB filter?
I'm saying time able to get rid of marine ich or just time it takes for fish to be consider clean and ready for display.
Whats a good temperature?

 

[sponger0]

HOB =Hang on the back

The time table to rid ich is dependant on the type of treatment. For the die off in a fallow (fishless) display tank is 6-8 weeks

 

[SloppyWhenWet]

I got HOB for free but no filters to speak off. Maybe ill look into replacing them.

 

[SKurj]

you can get away with a sponge filter and an air pump instead of a HOB filter.

 

[sponger0]

Just use to HOB filter. You dont need filter pads. You can pick up a pack of Fluval Bio Max media and this will help give a place for bacteria to grow.

 

[SloppyWhenWet]

I got HOB, air pump and sponge. Just been running air pump, heater and light.
How about water changes? i was told every day or two for QT tank do a few gallons
Explain how to do it? Ive been just removing some with a 2 liter coke bottle and then replacing with cold water salt water(I need another heater to keep my water change tank warm). Fish have been fine for week and half now. I dont like to shock them but need more equipment.

 

[SloppyWhenWet]

Just use to HOB filter. You dont need filter pads. You can pick up a pack of Fluval Bio Max media and this will help give a place for bacteria to grow.

So just drop a small box right into tank? Did a google search and they look like white cylinders with holes in the middle.

 

[sponger0]

When doing water changes, its best to heat it up to temp and mix it with a pump before replacing it.

Why were you told to do water changes? Did you cycle the QT before putting fish in?

 

[sponger0]

So just drop a small box right into tank? Did a google search and they look like white cylinders with holes in the middle.

No....just put the media into the HOB filter.

 

[SloppyWhenWet]

I used tank water from a water change to start, then ever day or two i take out a little bit and add some fresh saltwater. Just was told that QT needs small water changes daily or at least what i got out of it.

 

[SloppyWhenWet]

No....just put the media into the HOB filter.

so the filter part of the HOB functions as bacteria growth. Why is this important for a QT?

 

[sponger0]

I used tank water from a water change to start, then ever day or two i take out a little bit and add some fresh saltwater. Just was told that QT needs small water changes daily or at least what i got out of it.

This is cause you didnt cycle the QT. So the water changes are being used to control ammonia. Do the fish have any disease? Have you tested the water at all for ammonia?

I would recommend getting an ammonia badge for your QT. they are only like $5 online.

 

[SloppyWhenWet]

Ok i got ammoina dip strip but will get a badge.
I think one had marine ich. White spots and my buddy who reefed for 3 years agreed not that we are perfect marine life experts. Plus i want to get rid of the trigger already had a goby for dinner. I got klein butterfly(eats coral like a pro), pink tail trigger, electric blue damsel, yellow tang all in QT. Had 2 other tangs that didnt make the first trip and had a mystery wrasse i gave up for helping with the move(broke down and reinstalled tank in full running order with in 12 hours)

 

[SloppyWhenWet]

So im guessing high ammonia will kill fish?

 

[sponger0]

Yes ammonia will kill fish. Its very toxic. Have you read what tank cycling is? If not, I highly recommend you read it. Its the very basics of keeping fish alive.

Now if one of the fish showed signs of ich, you should be treating all the fish.

 

[Dr. Reef]

i think sponger0 has this covered mostly, i also recommend reading some sticky's on top of forums and go through the sticky call Guide to setup a QT.
lots and lots of reading will save u lots and lots of headache and money over time.

 

[SloppyWhenWet]

Tank cycling? no can you point me in the right direction.... or share a link.