Minimal Temporary Setup

[Brian Ward]

I'm interested in getting the Queen Angel from tygger. My problem is that the tank for it isn't finished cycling yet and I have heat problems (tank is running about 85, probably need to replace the mag12 with something else). I have an extra 120RR that is currently empty, as I am building the stand, etc around it so I'm thinking I could keep her in there until the main tank is ready? Or am I trying too hard to rush into this?

 

What is the minimal setup I'd need on the empty 120 in order to house the angel for 6-8 wks until the display tank is ready? Is this a viable solution? I have 2 tunze 6101s I can use for circulation, but plumbing a sump isn't viable. What would I need to add for filtration? Could I move one of the large pieces of live rock from the cycling tank to the empty tank without having chemical problems? I'd appreciate any help you guys can provide. And if this is just a bad idea in general, then let me know that opinion as well - tygger would prefer to give the fish to a wamas member, and I'm definitely looking to have one in the next couple months so it seemed like a good match.

 

~Brian

[ReeferMan]

I think it seems like you are rushing yourself which sets yourself up for disaster. IMO angels can be somewhat sensative and throwing together a 120g with fresh SW for 6 weeks seems like alot of work to keep it stable for a angel. Other option would be to have him hang onto it for you or another member.

[traveller7]

Or am I trying too hard to rush into this?

Yes.

 

Temporary housing without an established filter is quite a balancing act. Not one I would recommend.

[jason the filter freak]

I have a buck - o - water (75 gallon stock tub) in the middle of my room bare bottom with live rock 3 power heads, a heater and a pos skimmer hosting 9 fish and they all seem to be doing fine, going on a month now.

[Brian Ward]

I think it seems like you are rushing yourself which sets yourself up for disaster. IMO angels can be somewhat sensative and throwing together a 120g with fresh SW for 6 weeks seems like alot of work to keep it stable for a angel. Other option would be to have him hang onto it for you or another member.

 

This is what I was thinking. He said he really can't hang on to it since she's too big for the tank she's in right now - came to him from a friend's tank that broke. So unless someone else can hold her for me, I think I'm going to need to let him sell her to someone else.

[davelin315]

I could toss it in a sump once I set up my tank if you'd like. The sumps are already established so there won't be any issues with cycling again. The rock will also go from the sump directly into the tank, so again, no die off. Only thing is you'd have to assume the risk if something happened to the fish (and I would want to make sure that it's disease free).

[bigJPDC]

I agree with Jason.

That 120 will be a HUGE QT tank. You need circulation, temperature and nitrate control, which you could provide by doing weekly water changes. FO tanks don't even need much lighting.

 

If you want the fish and will do due diligence on the final destination, I say go for it.

 

jp

[Brian Ward]

I agree with Jason.

That 120 will be a HUGE QT tank. You need circulation, temperature and nitrate control, which you could provide by doing weekly water changes. FO tanks don't even need much lighting.

 

If you want the fish and will do due diligence on the final destination, I say go for it.

 

jp

 

So it sounds like I have a couple options here. Dave, definitely appreciate the offer, and I may take you up on that for a week or two while I get the QT tank ready. Are you around this weekend? Maybe we can do it Friday night or Saturday?

 

On my cycling tank, I could pull a piece of LR and move it to the QT for some biological filtration. Once the ammonia level is down to 0 in the cycling tank would it be safe to do this? Ammonia being 0 is an indication that all the die-off has been processed, so the rock would only contain live bacteria, right? Since it would only be about 30 secs to carry the rock downstairs I certainly wouldn't expect any additional die-off. What would I use for mechanical filtration? Is it necessary with a bare tank and 1 fish? I've read canister filters are good for this purpose and relatively cheap?

[NRehman]

Brian,

Treat the move as to a quarantine tank. You should not need live rock. Get aged water (if you want I can give you 40g or so). Just add 10g more of fresh as you do not need to fill the 120g. Since it is one fish, you should not have too much trouble if you used water changes. That said, any form of a biofilter (HOB or something just stuck into the tank) will work. I can give you some charcoal from my sump which will keep you going. Stick a small skimmer in and you are set for years!

Nadir

[Brian Ward]

Brian,

Treat the move as to a quarantine tank. You should not need live rock. Get aged water (if you want I can give you 40g or so). Just add 10g more of fresh as you do not need to fill the 120g. Since it is one fish, you should not have too much trouble if you used water changes. That said, any form of a biofilter (HOB or something just stuck into the tank) will work. I can give you some charcoal from my sump which will keep you going. Stick a small skimmer in and you are set for years!

Nadir

 

The system water is what I thought I'd need that I was missing. I'm inclined to take you up on this. Are you around Friday night or Saturday? Is there a particular HOB filter you'd recommend? My only real experience is with the Whisper filters.

[rioreef]

Dont rush.

 

If you tank is not cycled yet, my suggestion for long term health of the tank don't add fish for 6 months. Coral would be ok. This is the route I took and I never had a problem. Fish are messy, bigger ones create bigger messes. Take your time, there will always be other opportunities.

[davelin315]

Sorry, I won't be around this weekend, but I'll be back next week if you'd like.

[Brian Ward]

I've put the idea on hold for now. I'm afraid I won't be able to properly care for the fish while I'm waiting for the tank to be ready. If he still has her in a couple weeks, I may revisit the idea but I told him to sell her if he can find another buyer. Thanks for the suggestions and offers - I may still be in touch closer to the end of the month.

~Brian