best setup for a quarantine tank and hospital

schmuttis · 03/22/2007, 10:28 AM

I have a 120 gallon tank with live rock/sand and fuge. In addition to
this tank, I would like to set up a quarantine tank but I don't have a
lot of room for it. What would you suggest be the minimum size that I
have for this tank. If I have this tank as a fish only tank, what type
of filtration/setup would be best. Of course I don't really want to
spend an arm and a leg on a quarantine tank so I'd like to go with the
minimum necessary. I have no knowledge what a fish only tank needs so please be basic.

For my freshwater tank I just use a little 5 gallon tank for a
hospital. When the need arises, I fill the tank with water from my
large tank and turn on a little filter and aerator. Would this also
work for a saltwater hospital or does this also need to be a tank that is constantly running?

Thanks for the help/education.

BTW, I tried several times to search on quarantine tank and hospital but I get errors or not available each time so please excuse me if this topic has been posted and discussed recently.

buoymarker28 · 03/22/2007, 10:33 AM

my QT for a 120 reef is a 10 gal tank, a power head, a crappy heater, and 3 pieces of PVC pipe inside the tank for hiding out....I don't even have a light on it......total cost about $50

Ruskin · 03/22/2007, 10:38 AM

It depends on the size of the fish you want to keep. If you are keeping relatively small fish then it wont matter how many gallons your main tank is. If you are going to be getting larger fish you might want something say 40 gallons or so. I have a 24g main tank and a 10 gallon qt. My fish will stay small so I went with a small tank.

You can just use a hang on the back filter like you would for Freshwater. I have an Aquaclear and its perfect for my needs. Just place the foam filter in your main tanks display for roughly 2 weeks to build up some bacteria before you add fish. Some people recommend that you continually keep the tank running others just break it down after every use and keep a foam filter in the sump for when an emergency arises.

My QT tank currently has the HOB filter, heater, some pvc pipe for hiding places and a canopy. I also have an ammonia alert badge to constantly keep an eye on ammonia. Handy to have.

Teknagen · 03/22/2007, 12:22 PM

Can't go wrong with a $10 10g tank for small fishes.

03/22/2007, 10:28 AM	#1
schmuttis Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PA Posts: 69	best setup for a quarantine tank and hospital I have a 120 gallon tank with live rock/sand and fuge. In addition to this tank, I would like to set up a quarantine tank but I don't have a lot of room for it. What would you suggest be the minimum size that I have for this tank. If I have this tank as a fish only tank, what type of filtration/setup would be best. Of course I don't really want to spend an arm and a leg on a quarantine tank so I'd like to go with the minimum necessary. I have no knowledge what a fish only tank needs so please be basic. For my freshwater tank I just use a little 5 gallon tank for a hospital. When the need arises, I fill the tank with water from my large tank and turn on a little filter and aerator. Would this also work for a saltwater hospital or does this also need to be a tank that is constantly running? Thanks for the help/education. BTW, I tried several times to search on quarantine tank and hospital but I get errors or not available each time so please excuse me if this topic has been posted and discussed recently.

03/22/2007, 10:33 AM	#2
buoymarker28 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 150	my QT for a 120 reef is a 10 gal tank, a power head, a crappy heater, and 3 pieces of PVC pipe inside the tank for hiding out....I don't even have a light on it......total cost about $50 __________________ A rolling stone gathers no moss Current Tank Info: 125 reef

03/22/2007, 10:38 AM	#3
Ruskin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 373	It depends on the size of the fish you want to keep. If you are keeping relatively small fish then it wont matter how many gallons your main tank is. If you are going to be getting larger fish you might want something say 40 gallons or so. I have a 24g main tank and a 10 gallon qt. My fish will stay small so I went with a small tank. You can just use a hang on the back filter like you would for Freshwater. I have an Aquaclear and its perfect for my needs. Just place the foam filter in your main tanks display for roughly 2 weeks to build up some bacteria before you add fish. Some people recommend that you continually keep the tank running others just break it down after every use and keep a foam filter in the sump for when an emergency arises. My QT tank currently has the HOB filter, heater, some pvc pipe for hiding places and a canopy. I also have an ammonia alert badge to constantly keep an eye on ammonia. Handy to have.

03/22/2007, 12:22 PM	#4
Teknagen Unregistered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lake Forest Posts: 234	Can't go wrong with a $10 10g tank for small fishes.