Quarantine Tank

[AdamT]

I have read that the best practice is to have a quarantine tank for all new fish and for treating sick fish. I understand the reasons. It is a bummer though, because I really have no good place to put a QT, and it drives up the cost significantly. Here's my question:

How big does the QT need to be?

What kind of filtration does it need? Could I get away with a 10gal tank with an Eclipse filter, or a hang-on filter, and maybe a power head? Does it need LR or can I use a bio-wheel/bio balls? How do you set up your QT in terms of filtration, and how do you keep it cycled and ready? Do you throw in a cocktail shrimp from time to time or what?

Let me know your thoughts on the most compact, low-cost set up that would be adequate for a QT. My display tank will be 80 gallons with LR, LS, corals and fish.

 

[N8ster]

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

 

[xenon]

Size of your QT tank will depend on the types of fish you need to QT.

Obviously a sohal tang would not do very well in a 10g tank for 4-6weeks. lol

Usually it's a 4ft minimum if you want to QT tangs (40-55g).

Make sure your HOB filter matches the size of the QT tank. You will need to place a sponge in the sump of your display tank for a minimum of 2weeks to build up enough bacteria on the sponge to fight off the ammonia that will spike in your QT tank.

You will need a powerhead, heater, light and pvc pipes for the fish to hide/sleep.

 

[szwab]

very good link N8ster

should answer all your questions

 

[AdamT]

What a great article. Thanks very much. Just what I needed to read.