Bare bones quarintine tank

[DaveS]

What are some suggestions for a really bare bones QT? I'd like to set something up but have minimal space, time and patience. Basically the more complicated or expensive it is, the less likely I am to QT my new fish Stupid yes, but also human nature.

 

I'm thinking something real simple like a 10G rubbermaid type container, power head, a few pieces of live rock and heater. Will that work? Any other suggestions?

 

Also what about maint? Does it make sense to replace 1/2 a gal of water from QT with water from the main tank? I was thinking this might help to keep the chemistry between the two tanks similar so that there is less stress when the fish is added to the main tank. Thoughts?

[jason the filter freak]

Don't use live rock... use PVC piping

 

Dan literally in the last few days posted one of the best websites explaining QT tanks I'd ever seen, pm him and ask

[YBeNormal]

For QT tanks, larger is usually better since the idea is isolate and observer the new fish, check for diseases and get them to eat and recover fro shipping and transport. A 10g container is OK for very small fish but a 29g or 30g gives fish more swimming room and reduces stress.

 

I keep some LR in my sump ready to use in a QT tank whenever it is needed. The tank is empty and clean but with an HOB filter and air pump attached and ready for use. When the tank is needed for QT, I fill it will water from my main system (excuse for a water change), throw in some LR and maybe some PVC, turn on the filter and air pump and it's ready to go. When I have fish in QT, I use water from the main tank to do water changes on the QT tank (more excuses for water changes on the main system).

 

Hospital tanks are another matter. I usually use a 10g tank for sick fish unless they are too large. Using a smaller tank allows me to do more frequent water changes and reduces the amount of medication required. They are also easier to vacuum daily and I have several of them lying around so I can swap from one tank to another or set up several of them very quickly if needed.

 

I keep saying "tanks" since I have so many smaller ones laying around. A rubbermaid container or any other food-safe container is just as good though. No need to spend a lot of money on this.

[zotzer]

I plan on having a small main tank (plan was for 30G, but now 46g), and will probably only keep two fish.

 

Just got the QT, a 6g Eclipse. Drs. Foster and Smith had it on sale for $43, and it has everything you'd need (except maybe a heater and some PVC). It's acrylic, lightweight, and fully enclosed, so no one will jump out. Plus, it is easy on the eyes.

 

I think it comes in a 12g as well, if you are looking for something larger.

 

Tracy

[jnguyen4007]

Dave,

 

here is the link that Dan sent posted in my posting when I had a question concerning setting up a QT tank.

 

http://www.petsforum.com/personal/trevor-j...ntinetanks.html

 

James

[dbartco]

agree with bob. go bigger than ten if you get anything larger than gobies. only about a dollar per gallon new, even cheaper on here.

[jnguyen4007]

I know in my situation, space is a commodity that I have little of. If I try to use anything larger than a 10 gal tank as a QT tank, I wouldn't know where to put it other than in the garage.

[JMsAquarium]

For QT tanks, larger is usually better since the idea is isolate and observer the new fish, check for diseases and get them to eat and recover fro shipping and transport. A 10g container is OK for very small fish but a 29g or 30g gives fish more swimming room and reduces stress.

 

I keep some LR in my sump ready to use in a QT tank whenever it is needed. The tank is empty and clean but with an HOB filter and air pump attached and ready for use. When the tank is needed for QT, I fill it will water from my main system (excuse for a water change), throw in some LR and maybe some PVC, turn on the filter and air pump and it's ready to go. When I have fish in QT, I use water from the main tank to do water changes on the QT tank (more excuses for water changes on the main system).

 

Hospital tanks are another matter. I usually use a 10g tank for sick fish unless they are too large. Using a smaller tank allows me to do more frequent water changes and reduces the amount of medication required. They are also easier to vacuum daily and I have several of them lying around so I can swap from one tank to another or set up several of them very quickly if needed.

 

I keep saying "tanks" since I have so many smaller ones laying around. A rubbermaid container or any other food-safe container is just as good though. No need to spend a lot of money on this.

 

Same approach here. Bare bones, some Lr for filtration, air pump, power head. The PVC is just to give the fish some place to hide/rest, so I put some in as well. Does not need to be fancy. Just practical.