Qt size?

AussieReef400 · 11/27/2013, 04:32 AM

I'm looking to set up a temporary qt tank, have bio balls in my sump so figure I can use them in a cartridge filter and old dt water for instant cycling? The main question I have, unless I'm completely wrong bout the filter idea, is how big of a tank will I need? Will 2x1x1.5 be big enough? Biggest fish will be a kole yellow eyed tang, will the 2 footer stress him too much while in quarentine?
Thanks in advance

thegrun · 11/27/2013, 07:50 AM

Tangs are always tricky when it comes to quarantine; the stress of being in too small of a QT can sometimes bring on illnesses that the fish may have fought off on its own in a larger tank. Without any scientific data to back me up I would guess that a small tang (2" or under) would be okay in a 20 gallon tank but anything bigger should go into a 36" long minimum QT.

MondoBongo · 11/27/2013, 08:07 AM

I used a 20 long to qt my tangs, a yellow and kole. However they were both small when in qt. The kole was under 3" while the yellow was just under 2" at the time.

ali1 · 11/27/2013, 08:09 AM

That size tank will be fine for a kole tang as a qt. Lfs have 5" fish in a 6x6 compartment for long periods, and thats not feet.

Dmorty217 · 11/27/2013, 12:43 PM

20g long will work to QT most any fish short term

MrTuskfish · 11/27/2013, 01:03 PM

I think any of the tanks mentioned above will be fine. FWIW, using old DT water is what I've done for years, but does nothing to help cycle the tank. Water doesn't "cycle"; the friendly bacteria grow on LR, filter media, etc. Your bio-balls should work well, but always closely monitor QT water for ammonia.

HumbleFish · 11/27/2013, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmorty217

20g long will work to QT most any fish short term

+1 But if you're going to go with a 20L, also look at a 29 gal. It has the same footprint as the 20L but is taller. That extra 9 gals may not seem like much... but it gives the fish a little more swimming room, more wiggle room for ammonia, etc.

AussieReef400 · 11/27/2013, 04:56 PM

Thanks guys, you're all very helpful.

CoralReeForrest · 11/27/2013, 05:38 PM

Keep your filter media that you use for your QT in your sump. It helps to quicken the cycle for your QT or rather then cycle you can do daily water changes if your short on time. Helps a bit!

AussieReef400 · 11/27/2013, 07:51 PM

Yeah that's what I plan to do Forrest, got plenty of bio balls in the dt sump so wad goin to use them.

ca1ore · 11/28/2013, 09:13 AM

A 20 will work fine for a QT, if you already have one. But if you are going out to buy a tank I have found a 30 to be more generally useful.

AussieReef400 · 11/28/2013, 05:59 PM

Just picked up an old breeder tank, no holes just teo sides painted, 3x1x1 i'm pretty sure it is so it should be plenty big enough. Starting to get really excited with my first salt water tank

AussieReef400 · 11/28/2013, 06:01 PM

3x1.5x1.5 it is sorry.

bnumair · 11/28/2013, 06:22 PM

20 Long is a very good size QT for any tang fish. I have run many through that size including many achillies, blue hippos, naso etc.

AussieReef400 · 11/28/2013, 07:28 PM

I'm just thinking of down the track if for whatever I have to pull my livestock out of the dt for any period of time, fingers crossed I won't though.

MondoBongo · 11/29/2013, 08:14 AM

no doubt the bigger, the better as far as tanks go.

if i had room for it, my QT would be at least a 75 gallon like my DT, but sadly there is only so much floor space, and tolerance from my girlfriend, on how many tanks we can have.

i told her, who needs furniture? but she we seem to have a fundamental disagreement as to the necessity of dining room tables and couches.

11/27/2013, 04:32 AM	#1
AussieReef400 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 12	Qt size? I'm looking to set up a temporary qt tank, have bio balls in my sump so figure I can use them in a cartridge filter and old dt water for instant cycling? The main question I have, unless I'm completely wrong bout the filter idea, is how big of a tank will I need? Will 2x1x1.5 be big enough? Biggest fish will be a kole yellow eyed tang, will the 2 footer stress him too much while in quarentine? Thanks in advance

11/27/2013, 08:07 AM	#3
MondoBongo Obligate Feeder Obsessed Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,061	I used a 20 long to qt my tangs, a yellow and kole. However they were both small when in qt. The kole was under 3" while the yellow was just under 2" at the time. __________________ [Citation Needed] "You don't use science to show that you're right, you use science to become right" - xkcd Current Tank Info: A rectangular shaped money pit.

11/27/2013, 08:09 AM	#4
ali1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 997	That size tank will be fine for a kole tang as a qt. Lfs have 5" fish in a 6x6 compartment for long periods, and thats not feet. __________________ Originally Posted by Gogandantess "I'm totally frustrated by this disease. My display has been fallow for 2 months now. If ich happened to mysteriously appear again, I'm giving up and going back to African Cichilds."

11/27/2013, 12:43 PM	#5
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	20g long will work to QT most any fish short term __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

11/27/2013, 01:03 PM	#6
MrTuskfish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Wild Blue Yonder Posts: 8,887	I think any of the tanks mentioned above will be fine. FWIW, using old DT water is what I've done for years, but does nothing to help cycle the tank. Water doesn't "cycle"; the friendly bacteria grow on LR, filter media, etc. Your bio-balls should work well, but always closely monitor QT water for ammonia. __________________ If God didn't want us to eat animals, he wouldn't have made them out of meat. Steve Current Tank Info: 180, 2-240 FOWLRs, 240 reef

11/27/2013, 07:50 AM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Tangs are always tricky when it comes to quarantine; the stress of being in too small of a QT can sometimes bring on illnesses that the fish may have fought off on its own in a larger tank. Without any scientific data to back me up I would guess that a small tang (2" or under) would be okay in a 20 gallon tank but anything bigger should go into a 36" long minimum QT.

11/27/2013, 04:56 PM	#8
AussieReef400 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 12	Thanks guys, you're all very helpful.

11/27/2013, 05:38 PM	#9
CoralReeForrest Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Redding,Ca Posts: 1,010	Keep your filter media that you use for your QT in your sump. It helps to quicken the cycle for your QT or rather then cycle you can do daily water changes if your short on time. Helps a bit!

11/27/2013, 07:51 PM	#10
AussieReef400 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 12	Yeah that's what I plan to do Forrest, got plenty of bio balls in the dt sump so wad goin to use them.

11/28/2013, 09:13 AM	#11
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	A 20 will work fine for a QT, if you already have one. But if you are going out to buy a tank I have found a 30 to be more generally useful.

11/28/2013, 05:59 PM	#12
AussieReef400 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 12	Just picked up an old breeder tank, no holes just teo sides painted, 3x1x1 i'm pretty sure it is so it should be plenty big enough. Starting to get really excited with my first salt water tank

11/28/2013, 06:01 PM	#13
AussieReef400 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 12	3x1.5x1.5 it is sorry.

11/28/2013, 06:22 PM	#14
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	20 Long is a very good size QT for any tang fish. I have run many through that size including many achillies, blue hippos, naso etc. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

11/28/2013, 07:28 PM	#15
AussieReef400 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 12	I'm just thinking of down the track if for whatever I have to pull my livestock out of the dt for any period of time, fingers crossed I won't though.

11/29/2013, 08:14 AM	#16
MondoBongo Obligate Feeder Obsessed Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,061	no doubt the bigger, the better as far as tanks go. if i had room for it, my QT would be at least a 75 gallon like my DT, but sadly there is only so much floor space, and tolerance from my girlfriend, on how many tanks we can have. i told her, who needs furniture? but she we seem to have a fundamental disagreement as to the necessity of dining room tables and couches. __________________ [Citation Needed] "You don't use science to show that you're right, you use science to become right" - xkcd Current Tank Info: A rectangular shaped money pit.