how to make a quick QT tank?

pompom · 08/09/2009, 09:36 AM

I can't use the search feature - sorry if this is a common question.

I have a sick ocellaris clown that has had popeye for three weeks. We have had the tank set up a year and half with no problems. My husband was replacing the impeller on a hydor nano that was handled by the fish store person but also blew off a lot of sediment on the rocks. I was hoping it was an injury but he now has a white splotch on his forehead.

We have been doing extra water changes to keep the water extra pristine for him. He isn't getting any better.

I would like to treat him with maracyn plus but can't do that with the zoos/gsp in the tank I hear. I can feed him a medicated food if qt isn't an option.

How can I set up a cycled qt tank for him?

Current tank is a 15g with about 17pounds of live rock and just an inch of live sand. Skimmer, ac110 fuge that is empty just extra water volume and flow. I could put a sponge in there or biomax media - how long would this take to seed for a qt tank? Just the two small clowns, a cleaner shrimp and a handful of snails/scarlett hermits.

I have a 10 gallon tank, heater, maxijet, filters. and about 3/4 inch of sand that has dried out over a year. Would this be safe to use? Or is a bare tank best.

Maracyn Plus has never affected a biofilter on our freshwater tanks.

I'd love some help with doing this right. Thanks everyone.

100%hydrophylic · 08/09/2009, 10:27 AM

i would just use a fish safe bucket, put a little heater, thermometer, and little HOB filter on it. leave it bare bottom and put a really week light in it. bare bottom. maybe put some PVC elbows in it big enough for your fish to hide in. you can do the same thing in the 10 gal though. bare bottom is best.... and dont blast him with water flow. OH, i would use a 5 gal bucket instead of your 10 gal because you need to fill the bucket with water from your tank. you also need to closely monitor the qt water. IM NOT AN EXPERT. just my opinions

Sk8r · 08/09/2009, 10:35 AM

A sick tank doesn't even need light, though mild light is helpful. A sick fish wants to hide.
Just do a water change in your main tank, but don't pitch the 'discard' water: use it (bioactive and healthy) for your hospital tank, keep it barebottom, with just a plain floss filter, no carbon (it can remove your treatment drugs) and feed minimally: keep him eating modestly, but don't ruin that water with pity-feeding. Watch your salinity, and stand ready to top off more than once a day: the more stable you can keep his water, the better chance he has.

100%hydrophylic · 08/09/2009, 10:40 AM

sick tanks dont need lights? i didnt know that. Learn something new every day. thanks sk8r

pompom · 08/09/2009, 10:46 AM

Thanks guys.

Misled · 08/09/2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 100%hydrophylic
sick tanks dont need lights?

The lights will normaly make a sick fish hide more. They will hide as they see shadows in the water. Just a normal reaction.

08/09/2009, 09:36 AM	#1
pompom Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 56	how to make a quick QT tank? I can't use the search feature - sorry if this is a common question. I have a sick ocellaris clown that has had popeye for three weeks. We have had the tank set up a year and half with no problems. My husband was replacing the impeller on a hydor nano that was handled by the fish store person but also blew off a lot of sediment on the rocks. I was hoping it was an injury but he now has a white splotch on his forehead. We have been doing extra water changes to keep the water extra pristine for him. He isn't getting any better. I would like to treat him with maracyn plus but can't do that with the zoos/gsp in the tank I hear. I can feed him a medicated food if qt isn't an option. How can I set up a cycled qt tank for him? Current tank is a 15g with about 17pounds of live rock and just an inch of live sand. Skimmer, ac110 fuge that is empty just extra water volume and flow. I could put a sponge in there or biomax media - how long would this take to seed for a qt tank? Just the two small clowns, a cleaner shrimp and a handful of snails/scarlett hermits. I have a 10 gallon tank, heater, maxijet, filters. and about 3/4 inch of sand that has dried out over a year. Would this be safe to use? Or is a bare tank best. Maracyn Plus has never affected a biofilter on our freshwater tanks. I'd love some help with doing this right. Thanks everyone.

08/09/2009, 10:27 AM	#2
100%hydrophylic Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: GA Posts: 1,636	i would just use a fish safe bucket, put a little heater, thermometer, and little HOB filter on it. leave it bare bottom and put a really week light in it. bare bottom. maybe put some PVC elbows in it big enough for your fish to hide in. you can do the same thing in the 10 gal though. bare bottom is best.... and dont blast him with water flow. OH, i would use a 5 gal bucket instead of your 10 gal because you need to fill the bucket with water from your tank. you also need to closely monitor the qt water. IM NOT AN EXPERT. just my opinions __________________ :) Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef, 28g nano SPS

08/09/2009, 10:35 AM	#3
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	A sick tank doesn't even need light, though mild light is helpful. A sick fish wants to hide. Just do a water change in your main tank, but don't pitch the 'discard' water: use it (bioactive and healthy) for your hospital tank, keep it barebottom, with just a plain floss filter, no carbon (it can remove your treatment drugs) and feed minimally: keep him eating modestly, but don't ruin that water with pity-feeding. Watch your salinity, and stand ready to top off more than once a day: the more stable you can keep his water, the better chance he has. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/09/2009, 10:40 AM	#4
100%hydrophylic Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: GA Posts: 1,636	sick tanks dont need lights? i didnt know that. Learn something new every day. thanks sk8r __________________ :) Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef, 28g nano SPS

08/09/2009, 10:46 AM	#5
pompom Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 56	Thanks guys.