Quarantine Tank

[ReefinND]

So my main tank is still cycling, on week 2 only. I've been on the hunt for a quarantine tank and was wondering how I would go about setting it up.

Do I need to wait until my main tank is done cycling and use a filter pad from there for the quarantine tank or is there another option to have the fish already in quarantine while the display tank is finishing its cycle?

 

[GimpyFin]

IMO, I'd go to Petco and get a $1 per gallon glass tank (I think the sale is still going on?) A 20 or 29G is generally adequate unless you have large fish. In my 29, I use an Aquaclear HOB filter (Carbon removed), a small powerhead, a heater, a basic light, and a cover on the top to curb jumpers. I put a couple large 4-5" PVC tubes in for the fish to hide and maybe put the sponge and some biomedia like Matrix in the HOB filter. Add some biospira bacteria to the tank, and you've got an instant, cycled QT ready for 1 or 2 fish.

 

[scooter31707]

I have a 30 gallon long QT. It took it about 2 weeks to cycle with a raw shrimp and bio-spira added, it wasn't instant. I am actually running a canister filter on mines with Fluval Biomax Filter Media.

 

[CindyK]

I quarantined my clownfish while my tank was cycling in a 10 gal tank from the $1/gal sale from Petco (sensing a trend here...)

I was doing TTM so I just had airstones, PVC for shelter, heater and thermometer. When they were finished with tank transfer, I added a HOB filter (take out the carbon if using meds) and a small powerhead, and I removed the airstones. I also added some ceramic ring filter media and bacteria in a bottle. They were fine.

Now that I have a tank with a sump, I keep a few pieces of filter sponge in the sump so it will be ready with lots of healthy bacteria and I use that instead of the bacteria in a bottle and ceramic rings....same effect, less money

ETA: I have also added a cover for jumpers...

 

[Walla2GSP]

20 gallon from Petco; Aquaclear 70 or 110 (with foam, Zeo-carb insert for Aquaclear 50, and 2-biomaxx inserts or lava rock); and a Hydor Nano 425. I typically take a piece of LR out of my sump and pull water from my cycled tank, but you could try to force a quick cycle with biopira or just do heavy water changes to deal with build up.

 

[ReefinND]

Thanks for the replys! I went ahead and ordered a 20gal aqueon kit off of amazon. I don't have a petco or petsmart near me and their websites wouldn't let me order one. I've always liked aqueon products for my freshwater tanks so I just went ahead with it.

Also bought some Bio spira to get it started.

 

[ReefinND]

Alright, got the tank set up on Wednesday and let it set Thursday. This morning I added the bottle of biro spira and will do all the tests on it tonight. Hopefully if everything seems to be in order, I would like to get a pair of clowns on Saturday. The tank came with a HoB filter, and a heater. Going to pick up a little powerhead and a copper test kit while I'm at the store.

I plan on doing the 21+ day quarantine, and treating with Prazipro, Cupramine, and if needed, Maracyn two.

Anything I'm missing here?

So excited to finally get some fish even if they have to be in the boring qt tank. I've found myself laying in front of the DT tank watching and even empty it's fascinating cant wait for the two fish in there in a few weeks. (Honestly I cant believe I've already had the DT tank going for 3 weeks? it's flown by)