Adequate Hospital Tank Size

zibba · 09/24/2007, 08:22 PM

I posted this same thread in the Fish Disease Treatment forum - but figured I may get a larger response here.

My Powder Blue is showing a few small white spots which clearly resemble Marine Ich - Cryptocaryon irritans. After reading every article in the above stickies (in the Fish Disease Treatment section) - I feel that the best course of action is to remove all the fish - yellow tang, powder blue tang, copperbanded butterfly, royal gamma, and false perc - and follow the outlined hyposalinity treatment. Currently, none of the other fish are showing white-spots and all of the fish are eating very well and have good body shape.

I think that I have everything in order for treatment, however, my one concern is the size of my current hospital tank. I have a 29-gallon which could easily be set up for this treatment - but I'm concerned that this tank may be too small to treat all of my fish at the same time. Specifically, I'm worried that the smaller tank could induce further stress on the fish resulting in an increased risk of becoming infected.

Comments or concerns with this size tank for treatment would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Other concerns not mentioned in the other thread:
1.) What is the best method for removing fish from a reef set up?
2.) Anyone have experience removing a copperband butterfly from a tank? (I'm worried about possible injury from a net)

Randall_James · 09/24/2007, 08:42 PM

Consider the size of the fish. It may require a 30 of 40G tank if the fish are on the larger side. I have a 65g myself (was a factory second that I purchased for 60$)

Do black out or cover the sides of the tank.

Removing fish can be fun but my favorite method is to lower the water level and use a specimen container. Fish traps can work pretty good too.

zibba · 09/24/2007, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Randall_James
Consider the size of the fish.

PBT - 2"-2.5"
Yellow Tang - 2.5"
CBB - 3"
False Perc - 1.5"
Royal Gamma - 1.5"

Thoughts on 29-gallon for 4-6 week quarantine?

Randall_James · 09/24/2007, 09:24 PM

I think I would be prepared to get a second tank if things get rowdy. The Tangs are still smallish so maybe it will work. Do watch the tank closely over the first week as ammonia is going to be an issue. Just use water from your display as needed and put the new salt water in the fallow display.

Also, what is in the main tank? is this a FO/FOWLR or reef? If this was a FO or FOWLR, I would do this a bit differently.

zibba · 09/24/2007, 09:30 PM

it's a reef set up.

Randall_James · 09/24/2007, 09:53 PM

You could isolate your 30G sump if a second tank is needed, *would need to remove any/all rock, substrate, inverts

zibba · 09/24/2007, 09:59 PM

it's a possibility. however, I have all my equipment in sump. my skimmer is in sump only and my refugium is partitioned off the sump via baffles - not a separate tank.

Would I just leave all the equipment in the sump and continue flow in the fallow with powerheads - letting the live rock to the filtration?

09/24/2007, 08:22 PM	#1
zibba Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,605	Adequate Hospital Tank Size I posted this same thread in the Fish Disease Treatment forum - but figured I may get a larger response here. My Powder Blue is showing a few small white spots which clearly resemble Marine Ich - Cryptocaryon irritans. After reading every article in the above stickies (in the Fish Disease Treatment section) - I feel that the best course of action is to remove all the fish - yellow tang, powder blue tang, copperbanded butterfly, royal gamma, and false perc - and follow the outlined hyposalinity treatment. Currently, none of the other fish are showing white-spots and all of the fish are eating very well and have good body shape. I think that I have everything in order for treatment, however, my one concern is the size of my current hospital tank. I have a 29-gallon which could easily be set up for this treatment - but I'm concerned that this tank may be too small to treat all of my fish at the same time. Specifically, I'm worried that the smaller tank could induce further stress on the fish resulting in an increased risk of becoming infected. Comments or concerns with this size tank for treatment would be appreciated. Thank you. Other concerns not mentioned in the other thread: 1.) What is the best method for removing fish from a reef set up? 2.) Anyone have experience removing a copperband butterfly from a tank? (I'm worried about possible injury from a net)

09/24/2007, 08:42 PM	#2
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	Consider the size of the fish. It may require a 30 of 40G tank if the fish are on the larger side. I have a 65g myself (was a factory second that I purchased for 60$) Do black out or cover the sides of the tank. Removing fish can be fun but my favorite method is to lower the water level and use a specimen container. Fish traps can work pretty good too. __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

09/24/2007, 09:24 PM	#4
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	I think I would be prepared to get a second tank if things get rowdy. The Tangs are still smallish so maybe it will work. Do watch the tank closely over the first week as ammonia is going to be an issue. Just use water from your display as needed and put the new salt water in the fallow display. Also, what is in the main tank? is this a FO/FOWLR or reef? If this was a FO or FOWLR, I would do this a bit differently. __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

09/24/2007, 09:30 PM	#5
zibba Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,605	it's a reef set up. __________________ 84x42x30 (~450g) A.G.E. and ADA 90-P (~45g).

09/24/2007, 09:53 PM	#6
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	You could isolate your 30G sump if a second tank is needed, *would need to remove any/all rock, substrate, inverts __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

09/24/2007, 09:59 PM	#7
zibba Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,605	it's a possibility. however, I have all my equipment in sump. my skimmer is in sump only and my refugium is partitioned off the sump via baffles - not a separate tank. Would I just leave all the equipment in the sump and continue flow in the fallow with powerheads - letting the live rock to the filtration? __________________ 84x42x30 (~450g) A.G.E. and ADA 90-P (~45g).