Quarantine Tank Ideas

[FLYING BONES]

Hey Reefers!

I'm in the midst of a VERY strong re-introduction to reefing. I've been running a 29G Nano Cube setup for 5 years or so, but never fancy, just mediocre. Along the way i've bought nice equipment (RKL, MP10 and a Radion. So...I upgraded my tank to a Red Sea 170 and I'm having a great time with it.

Now...I really feel like I need to have a Quarantine Tank for future additions or issues that may arise.

I thought about using my 29G nano cube, but it's almost too big.
So i'm thinking about trying to find a used smaller all-in-one.

What is the minimum size you would get?
(Mine will likelly sit on a countertop or other space restricted location so I'm thinking the smaller the better.)

What's the most awesome QT you have seen?
(This tank will be "on display" because the only way to successfully keep the tank will be in my climate controlled house. For this reason, aesthetics are important.)

Any other important points? People always build the ultimate reef tanks, and they are awesome, but now here I am wanting to build an awesome (and functional) QT.

Thanks for your ideas!
Bones

[thegrun]

It depends on your tank size and fish, but I've found that 20 gallon long tanks (30" x 12" x 12") work great. I divide off the last 4" and make my own "all in one" tank.

[FLYING BONES]

Originally Posted by thegrun

It depends on your tank size and fish, but I've found that 20 gallon long tanks (30" x 12" x 12") work great. I divide off the last 4" and make my own "all in one" tank.

My display is a 34G Red Sea, so i'll never have much more than a large nano fish.

[thegrun]

You could probably get by with a 15 gallon tank, but I think the fish will find the added swimming room in a 20 long less stressful.

[FLYING BONES]

Would coraline covered pvc present a problem if I needed to deal with ich?

[mr9iron]

Originally Posted by FLYING BONES

Would coraline covered pvc present a problem if I needed to deal with ich?

I've never heard of this being a problem, however, if this was from a tank that had ICH then I would be apprehensive. I think the better part of valor would be to put in all new pieces of PVC. It's cheap, and would lessen the risk.

[FLYING BONES]

Originally Posted by mr9iron

I've never heard of this being a problem, however, if this was from a tank that had ICH then I would be apprehensive. I think the better part of valor would be to put in all new pieces of PVC. It's cheap, and would lessen the risk.

I understand, I don't have an ich problem but if im building an "on display" qt for future purposes it'd be cool to have coraline formed in the pvc.

[mr9iron]

Originally Posted by FLYING BONES

I understand, I don't have an ich problem but if im building an "on display" qt for future purposes it'd be cool to have coraline formed in the pvc.

You should be fine then.

[vhuang168]

You have to be aware that if any fish you qt develop an issue, you would have to either leave it fallow for 72days or tear it down n leave it dry for a few days.

[FLYING BONES]

Originally Posted by vhuang168

You have to be aware that if any fish you qt develop an issue, you would have to either leave it fallow for 72days or tear it down n leave it dry for a few days.

Thats a good point in the case of a fish death. I would imagine that I'll be treating the fish for the disease, and when the fish was OK, and reintroduced into the DT, the QT should be clean as well.