Quarantine Tank Question

Lyscer · 08/30/2007, 08:47 AM

I'm going to be picking me up some new fish this weekend and I have a feeling that I need to quarantine them. I know that since I have this inkling, if I don't do it, they will kill off my tank

. So here is my question. I currently have a 25 gallon filled 2/3 of the way with saltwater 1.022 salinity. There is a maxijet 400 and a heater in the tank. The tank has been setup with water for about a week and a half. I have some sponges in the sump of my main tank that I threw in there ages ago for a hospital tank I was going to do, but got lazy and never needed it. So can I take 1 or 2 of those sponges and throw them in the tank I setup? How long before I should pick up the fish(2 clowns) and add them to the quarantine tank? What else do you think I should do? Thanks.

hermitage · 08/30/2007, 10:52 AM

You should use a sponge filter for your QT tank, and insert the sponges that you had in your sump into the spnge filter. Make sure the sponges were in your sump at least 6 weeks. The biggest frustration for me during QT'ing was that I never knew the diff between total ammonia and free ammonia. You want a test kit that tests for Free ammonia. Test daily. I was doing large water changes daily in the QT since I thought my ammonia was high (since I was teting for Total ammonia)...in actuality...it was fine the whole time. I use a Seachem test kit. It tests for both Total and Free.

I like to setup my QT with sponges inserted, and everything running for at least 1 week before I throw any fish in. The week is a good time to make sure water params are ok, and that temps are steady. The temp is really important here, since QT tanks are pretty small.

Lyscer · 08/30/2007, 12:26 PM

This may sound retarded. But why is it so important to use a sponge filter for the quarantine tank? What is the difference between me sticking the sponge on the end of the maxijet as opposed to me puttint it in a little box (Like the aquaclear filter boxes)? I'm just trying to understand the difference(s) here.

hermitage · 08/30/2007, 07:24 PM

I believe it's about surface area. The more water flowing through a sponge, the better.

AndyB4784 · 08/30/2007, 08:58 PM

If you put the sponge on the end of the maxi jet it will probably put more water through the sponge than if you use the HOB. I'd also recommend picking up a 10g to use for the qt tank Primarily because if you do have to medicate the fish most meds come in capsules for a 10g dosage. One other thing that I would do is either cover the tank or put newspaper around the outside so that they won't spook so easily. I'd also use a piece of PVC for some shelter for the clowns to hid in.

08/30/2007, 08:47 AM	#1
Lyscer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 675	Quarantine Tank Question I'm going to be picking me up some new fish this weekend and I have a feeling that I need to quarantine them. I know that since I have this inkling, if I don't do it, they will kill off my tank . So here is my question. I currently have a 25 gallon filled 2/3 of the way with saltwater 1.022 salinity. There is a maxijet 400 and a heater in the tank. The tank has been setup with water for about a week and a half. I have some sponges in the sump of my main tank that I threw in there ages ago for a hospital tank I was going to do, but got lazy and never needed it. So can I take 1 or 2 of those sponges and throw them in the tank I setup? How long before I should pick up the fish(2 clowns) and add them to the quarantine tank? What else do you think I should do? Thanks. __________________ 68 Cadlights Versa 24" x 8 ATI Dimmable Sunpower 2 x Gyre XF-130 DIY Arduino Uno Controller with temp probes and 8 outlets ran from web interface ReefOctopus Skimmer and Eheim 1262 return Current Tank Info: 68 Cadlights Versa

08/30/2007, 12:26 PM	#3
Lyscer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 675	This may sound retarded. But why is it so important to use a sponge filter for the quarantine tank? What is the difference between me sticking the sponge on the end of the maxijet as opposed to me puttint it in a little box (Like the aquaclear filter boxes)? I'm just trying to understand the difference(s) here. __________________ 68 Cadlights Versa 24" x 8 ATI Dimmable Sunpower 2 x Gyre XF-130 DIY Arduino Uno Controller with temp probes and 8 outlets ran from web interface ReefOctopus Skimmer and Eheim 1262 return Current Tank Info: 68 Cadlights Versa

08/30/2007, 10:52 AM	#2
hermitage Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CT Posts: 307	You should use a sponge filter for your QT tank, and insert the sponges that you had in your sump into the spnge filter. Make sure the sponges were in your sump at least 6 weeks. The biggest frustration for me during QT'ing was that I never knew the diff between total ammonia and free ammonia. You want a test kit that tests for Free ammonia. Test daily. I was doing large water changes daily in the QT since I thought my ammonia was high (since I was teting for Total ammonia)...in actuality...it was fine the whole time. I use a Seachem test kit. It tests for both Total and Free. I like to setup my QT with sponges inserted, and everything running for at least 1 week before I throw any fish in. The week is a good time to make sure water params are ok, and that temps are steady. The temp is really important here, since QT tanks are pretty small.

08/30/2007, 07:24 PM	#4
hermitage Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CT Posts: 307	I believe it's about surface area. The more water flowing through a sponge, the better.

08/30/2007, 08:58 PM	#5
AndyB4784 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: lansing, mi Posts: 309	If you put the sponge on the end of the maxi jet it will probably put more water through the sponge than if you use the HOB. I'd also recommend picking up a 10g to use for the qt tank Primarily because if you do have to medicate the fish most meds come in capsules for a 10g dosage. One other thing that I would do is either cover the tank or put newspaper around the outside so that they won't spook so easily. I'd also use a piece of PVC for some shelter for the clowns to hid in.