Understanding QT Essentials

twoodall · 07/25/2008, 06:14 AM

I have been reading and watching posts on QT tanks. The list of items you need is so simple it seems to good to be true. From what I have read and understand this is basically it: water fom display tank, heater, hob filter, powerhead, ambient lighting is sufficient, pvc for hiding places, minimize feeding, and no sand or live rock.

I understand completely that chemical treatments can be absorbed into the rocks and sand and cause harm to inverts down the road when observing them. The only question I guess I have is a skimmer needed or recommended? I really don't remember seeing that addressed.

atwinparadox2 · 07/25/2008, 06:30 AM

I would say a skimmer is needed, you still need to pull the crap out of the water even in a QT tank. Your quarantining them to make sure they aren't bringing anything into your system, you don't want to make them sick from your system

Tswifty · 07/25/2008, 06:37 AM

I have a somehwat different feeling on QT setups.

I utilize a Quarrantine Setup & a Hospital Setup.

My quarrantine setup is a larger tank, and has sand, rocks, skimmer, etc... I try to make the conditions as close as possible to my display tank, for a stress free QT/observation period.

My Hospital tank is a 15g tank and the barebones deal. I only use it if a fish needs to be isolated for treatment.

So far only one of my fish needed to be pulled out and treated in the hospital tank.

kzickovich · 07/25/2008, 06:45 AM

My qt tank has sand filter powerhead and pvc I have a smaller hospital tank if anyome gets sick with just pvc and hob filter. My qt tank is 35 gal.

twoodall · 07/28/2008, 05:32 PM

Using a new hob filter media does it have to be broken in?

07/25/2008, 06:14 AM	#1
twoodall Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Marianna, FL Posts: 201	Understanding QT Essentials I have been reading and watching posts on QT tanks. The list of items you need is so simple it seems to good to be true. From what I have read and understand this is basically it: water fom display tank, heater, hob filter, powerhead, ambient lighting is sufficient, pvc for hiding places, minimize feeding, and no sand or live rock. I understand completely that chemical treatments can be absorbed into the rocks and sand and cause harm to inverts down the road when observing them. The only question I guess I have is a skimmer needed or recommended? I really don't remember seeing that addressed. __________________ Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop drinking coffee..... Current Tank Info: 150 gallon, 3-150w MH, 4 96w Actinic, 4 Lunar Blue Moon Glow LEDs, Aquac EV180 skimmer w/ mag7, Mag18 return pump, 3 #4 Koralia, 250# LR, 3" Live Sand Bed, 55 G sump/fuge

07/25/2008, 06:37 AM	#3
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	I have a somehwat different feeling on QT setups. I utilize a Quarrantine Setup & a Hospital Setup. My quarrantine setup is a larger tank, and has sand, rocks, skimmer, etc... I try to make the conditions as close as possible to my display tank, for a stress free QT/observation period. My Hospital tank is a 15g tank and the barebones deal. I only use it if a fish needs to be isolated for treatment. So far only one of my fish needed to be pulled out and treated in the hospital tank. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

07/25/2008, 06:45 AM	#4
kzickovich Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Zion Il Posts: 959	My qt tank has sand filter powerhead and pvc I have a smaller hospital tank if anyome gets sick with just pvc and hob filter. My qt tank is 35 gal. __________________ Ken Current Tank Info: 90 Gal mixed reef 55 Gallon basement pump up Sump 25 Gal fuge 2 Mp40 DIY led light fixture Bubble King Mini 200 Gen2 skimmer BRS Duel reactor

07/28/2008, 05:32 PM	#5
twoodall Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Marianna, FL Posts: 201	Using a new hob filter media does it have to be broken in? __________________ Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop drinking coffee..... Current Tank Info: 150 gallon, 3-150w MH, 4 96w Actinic, 4 Lunar Blue Moon Glow LEDs, Aquac EV180 skimmer w/ mag7, Mag18 return pump, 3 #4 Koralia, 250# LR, 3" Live Sand Bed, 55 G sump/fuge

07/25/2008, 06:30 AM	#2
atwinparadox2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kingston, PA Posts: 782	I would say a skimmer is needed, you still need to pull the crap out of the water even in a QT tank. Your quarantining them to make sure they aren't bringing anything into your system, you don't want to make them sick from your system