Quarantine Tank

G

Greg129

New member
This time I do saltwater, I want to do it right. Therefore, I must setup a quarantine tank. I have two spare tanks that I am willing to use: a 29 gallon (30" long x 12" wide) and a 10 gallon (20" long x 10" wide). Here is the stock I plan to add to my main tank:

1 x Yellow Canary Wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus)

2 x False Percula Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)

1 x Bartlett's Anthias (Pseudanthias bartlettorum)

1 x Shrimp Goby (not sure on species yet)

I plan on buying one or two fish at a time, so no more than two fish will be housed in the quarantine tank at one time. The fish will probably be quarantined for 3 - 4 weeks. So, which spare tank I have will make the best quarantine tank?
 
Either one would work. Just keep in mind that the 10 gallon's water chemistry will change faster than the 29 gallon's water chemistry. The greater water volume would be easier to maintain. Since, an Anthias is one of your wish fish, I'd go with the larger tank for him. The other fish choices would be ok in the 10 gallon.

If you have the room and can go with the 29 gallon, I'd do that one. My ten gallon QT tank is a lot of work to maintain with two fish fouling the water. I'm sure a 29 gallon would be half the work.

Hope that helps.
 
I have a 29 gallon as well. I would go with the 10 gallon QT.. but I'm confused about your post: were you actually thinking of keeping those fish inside a 10 gallon tank? If so I'd strongly advise against it due to the bio-load and lack of space (especially for the anthias which need at least 100 gallon plus tank, IMO).
 
I believe he was setting up a QT and had the 10 and 29 gallon tanks available for the QT. He was asking which he should use. I really don't think he was planning on putting all those fish in either of those two tanks, as his display tanks.
 
You are correct Lamorak. I have a 60 gallon as the display tank. I want to know if I should us the 10 or 29 gallon as the QT. So, which should I use?
 
It's really up to you.

I usually run a 10 gallon QT and it works out fine for me. I just have to keep a steady eye on it, since the water parameters change much more quickly than my 60 gallon display. The 10 gallon is easier to do water changes and you'll be doing a lot of them. I never quite get my QT tanks to stay as steady as the display reef tank. There just isn't enough mechanical filtration on mine to be lazy on it. I end up checking water parameters everyday and changing about 20% of the water every other day for the first week or two until the little HOB filter catches up with the bioload.

The 29 would be a little more stable. But you may have to change out more water than on a 10 gallon, if water params get sketchy. You'll have to be prepared for the water volume change on either tank. That might help you decide which to use.

Since you mentioned that you have a 60 gallon display, you might want to rethink the Anthias. Everything I've read about them indicates that they need at least a 100 gallon tank. They are swimmers and like lots of real estate.
 
I followed my own advice and researched that Bartlett's Anthias. It looks like you are good to go on that particular Anthias in a 60 gallon tank.

It turns out the Lyretail Anthias is the one that needs the big tank.

My apologies for my Anthias fish tank size requirements mistake. Good job on researching that fish better than I :)
 
Thanks Lamorak. Your post was very helpful. First of all, I have no problem doing water changes on either of those small tanks (I have a 120 gallon African Cichlid tank I do water changes on every week). I guess that means that the 29 gallon is the best choice since it would be more stable for the fish.

Yeah. All of a sudden I got scared when you said I couldn't keep the Bartlett. I am really set on that fish. You don't have to apologize. Everyone here is known to make occasional mistakes. Though few correct themselves...
 
For a 29 gallon QT, what "equipment" would you recommend? I was planning on just putting on a HOB filter, heater, PVC pipe, a couple of pieces of live rock, 30 watt fluoresecent light, and a bare bottom. Is this list good enough or am I forgetting something?
 
Dont bother with the live rock because as soon as you treat the tank with copper or hypo, the rock will be dead.

Make it as simple as possible. HOB filter, heater, cheap light and PVC fittings is all you need.
 
i got one at w**** mart, was rated for up to 50gallons, its really all you need nothing fancy, if you get a hob buy the spare cartidges ahead time, as when i needed them they didnt have have them in stock, had to wait for a while before they got them i think the one i got is a aquaclear
 
I personally like the Emperor line. The 280 model would be perfect for a 29 gallon.

Emperor 280

I'm sure you can find a cheaper filter but for 28 bucks these work great. I have a 10 year old 400 model that still runs. The filter pads are available pretty much everywhere as well.
 
I run the small Penguin on my 10 gallon QT. I think the little bio-wheel helps keep the water params somewhat in check and makes it a little easier for me.

I also like making sure there is plenty of oxygen in my QT, so I run a small air pump and stone in there too.

Keep the QT simple with just the basics and it'll do you fine.
 
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