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Unread 05/24/2012, 09:41 AM   #1
gridley
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QT setup?

I have read on many posts the extreme imporatnce of putting all fish (including the first ones) through quarantine. My wife and I hope to complete the plumbing on our first DT tomorrow, and hopefully will begin making RO water tonight. By the middle of next week we hope to be able to put rock (mix of live and dry) in the DT, do the aquascpaing and begin the curing/cycle process.

Is this the right time to set up a quarantine tank and purchase a first fish that will eventually go into the DT? or should we wait a bit longer?

Also, several question on setting up the QT
1. how large of a tank do we need? I have an old 5G tank - guessing that is too small.
2. I understand that live rock is not needed. Is that correct?
3. Sand or a bare bottom?
4. I understand that PVC pieces and elbows are good for hiding places - is that correct?
5. I understand that a simple filter is all that is needed with either filter floss or a filter sponge as medium?
6. What do I need for lighting?
7. What about water changes? How often, how much?
8. obviously a heater will be needed - what is ideal temp?
9. Any other things I'm missing or tips I need to know about?

Thanks in advance.


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Current Tank Info: 90G mixed reef, 23g sump, 20g QT, 2 radions, Waveline 5000 retrun pump, RLLS R8u skimmer, filter socks, GFO/Carbon, RO/DI
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Unread 05/24/2012, 10:02 AM   #2
chad316
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gridley View Post
I have read on many posts the extreme imporatnce of putting all fish (including the first ones) through quarantine. My wife and I hope to complete the plumbing on our first DT tomorrow, and hopefully will begin making RO water tonight. By the middle of next week we hope to be able to put rock (mix of live and dry) in the DT, do the aquascpaing and begin the curing/cycle process.

Is this the right time to set up a quarantine tank and purchase a first fish that will eventually go into the DT? or should we wait a bit longer?

Also, several question on setting up the QT
1. how large of a tank do we need? I have an old 5G tank - guessing that is too small.
2. I understand that live rock is not needed. Is that correct? Correct
3. Sand or a bare bottom? bare bottom
4. I understand that PVC pieces and elbows are good for hiding places - is that correct? correct
5. I understand that a simple filter is all that is needed with either filter floss or a filter sponge as medium? Correct. Others can comment on this one.
6. What do I need for lighting? Nothing fancy here, if anything at all. Remember the fishies have been through a lot of stress getting there, and usually lights off helps with that.
7. What about water changes? How often, how much? This depends on if you are using a sponge that has been sitting in an existing tank to instant cycle your QT. If not a few times a day is not unheard of...pending ammonia.
8. obviously a heater will be needed - what is ideal temp? 78-80 F I would say. Once you get your DT up you want the two tanks to be the same temp, SG, etc to make for an easy transition.
9. Any other things I'm missing or tips I need to know about? I dont have the link, but I am sure someone on this thread will post the QT article for your reference. Maybe buy an ammo alert ($5-7) for your QT and I assume you have a thermometer already. Other than that, usually the size of your DT determines an appropriate size for your QT....in the article they mention that a QT should be ~% (30% maybe??) of your DT...so for you that would be 20-30 gallon QT

Thanks in advance.
I hope this helps, I am still a noob too, so I limited my advice because I dont want to tell you something wrong


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Last edited by chad316; 05/24/2012 at 10:06 AM. Reason: more info/spelling
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Unread 05/24/2012, 10:07 AM   #3
sponger0
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Setting up a QT from the very start is a good idea.

1) If this is for your 90, I wouldnt do less than a 20 gallon cause you may decide on getting medium size fish like bristletooth tangs

2) and 3) No live rock or sand as they can absorb medications such as copper. Just use PVC for hiding spaces

4) Just answered it lol

5) Filters can be HOB or sponge filters. In my HOB I use some Fluval BioMax Media to have a place for bacteria to dwell and grow on

6) Do you plan on using this for just fish? If just fish, any light will do

7) Water changes are about the same, but unlike corals, fish are less affected by phosphates and nitrates so 10% a week would work fine

8) Heater is needed. Same temp as your DT. 78-82 degrees

9) Cycle the tank first....and be patient (thats my best advice)....oh and research the fish before buying


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Unread 05/24/2012, 10:09 AM   #4
chad316
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Here's one of the stickies...looking for more and the article LOL.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...ght=quarantine


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Unread 05/24/2012, 10:14 AM   #5
Andrew
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1. how large of a tank do we need? I have an old 5G tank - guessing that is too small.

The size depends on the fish you are going to QT. I would do with no smaller than a 20 gallon regardless. With having little filteration on a Qt tank the ammonia levels will be much higher than normally so water changes are also key. A larger QT tank will give you more stability.

2. I understand that live rock is not needed. Is that correct?

Yes. Use pvc pipes to give the fish some hiding spots

3. Sand or a bare bottom?

No sand or substrate

4. I understand that PVC pieces and elbows are good for hiding places - is that correct?

Yes, make sure you have a couple in there

5. I understand that a simple filter is all that is needed with either filter floss or a filter sponge as medium?

Yes, a Hob filter with floss will work. I change mine out daily.

6. What do I need for lighting?

Anything will work. You want good enough lighting to be able to observe the fish well.

7. What about water changes? How often, how much?

Depends on the bioload in the tank. I change out about 20-30% of the water each week in mine

8. obviously a heater will be needed - what is ideal temp?

Just make sure the tank stays above 75-76


Make sure you keep the water well airated as well with an airstone espcially if you are putting the fish through hypo. A small powerhead will due to keep the water moving.


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Unread 05/24/2012, 10:14 AM   #6
_Mackus_
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I would recommend looking into the tank transfer method to rid your fish of ich prior to even entering them into your QT. So then you are only worried about infections and other things, and ich will never sneak into your DT. Here's a great thread about it: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1996525

Basically you set up two mini tanks (I used 5 gallon buckets) and swap the fish out into the new tank after 3 days, sanitizing and drying out the former one in between.

As a fellow newbie, I agree that everything the previous guys told you about QT-ing will work. I actually don't use any filtration, but I do frequent water changes. 20-25% every other day or so. An ammonia badge and having some AmQuel on hand in case is a good idea, too.


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Unread 05/24/2012, 10:23 AM   #7
sponger0
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Originally Posted by _Mackus_ View Post
I would recommend looking into the tank transfer method to rid your fish of ich prior to even entering them into your QT. So then you are only worried about infections and other things, and ich will never sneak into your DT. Here's a great thread about it: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1996525

Basically you set up two mini tanks (I used 5 gallon buckets) and swap the fish out into the new tank after 3 days, sanitizing and drying out the former one in between.

As a fellow newbie, I agree that everything the previous guys told you about QT-ing will work. I actually don't use any filtration, but I do frequent water changes. 20-25% every other day or so. An ammonia badge and having some AmQuel on hand in case is a good idea, too.
IMO....no need to continuously stress a fish out if nothing is wrong with it. Dont treat for something that isnt there. This could cause more problems than need be.


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Unread 05/24/2012, 10:48 AM   #8
gridley
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Thank you - this has been a huge help for me. One more question:

Assuming that I do indeed manage to get a mix of live and dry rock into my 90G DT by say . . .June 1, when would be an ideal time to have my first fish into quarantine?

Thanks


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Current Tank Info: 90G mixed reef, 23g sump, 20g QT, 2 radions, Waveline 5000 retrun pump, RLLS R8u skimmer, filter socks, GFO/Carbon, RO/DI
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Unread 05/24/2012, 10:54 AM   #9
sponger0
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gridley View Post
Thank you - this has been a huge help for me. One more question:

Assuming that I do indeed manage to get a mix of live and dry rock into my 90G DT by say . . .June 1, when would be an ideal time to have my first fish into quarantine?

Thanks
I would wait until the tank is cycled.


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Unread 05/24/2012, 11:00 AM   #10
mlott132
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sponger0 View Post
I would wait until the tank is cycled.
+1. You never know how long the cycle is going to take.


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Unread 05/24/2012, 11:02 AM   #11
_Mackus_
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sponger0 View Post
IMO....no need to continuously stress a fish out if nothing is wrong with it. Dont treat for something that isnt there. This could cause more problems than need be.
You referring to the tank transfer?

I've only done it with one fish so far, but he didn't seem any more stressed than he was during a couple weeks in my QT afterwards. In fact, since the buckets have opaque walls as opposed to the glass walls of my QT, he seemed even less skittish.

I agree about not treating for things you don't see being a good game plan in most cases, but I don't know if tank transfer is really a treatment. There aren't any medicines involved, just switching the little guy's house every few days for a couple weeks.

I'm sure getting more experience will inform my opinion a lot more than it currently is at this point. My "once" isn't exactly a lot of data points to support the tank transfer.


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Unread 05/24/2012, 11:06 AM   #12
sponger0
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The tank transfer method is a form of treatment used to treat crypt. So it is in essence a treatment.

But each time you move a fish from a environment into another, it causes stress. You may not consider it stress but it is. You taking it out..putting it in...and so on. It is a form of unnecessary stress if the fish isnt infected.



Look at it this way....if someone was to kidnap you and move you from room to room...not knowing what the****** is going on.....you would feel anxiety and other things causing stress to your body. So it is stress.

And also some fish...once moved...due to their sensitivity, as some are more sensitive than others, can chose to not eat.


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Unread 05/24/2012, 11:34 AM   #13
gridley
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sponger0 View Post
I would wait until the tank is cycled.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mlott132 View Post
+1. You never know how long the cycle is going to take.
Thank you very much - you know, this wasn't the answer I was looking for . . . however, we have continually been told to have patience, patience, patience. So despite my desire to "get things going!" we will take the advice and contnue to take it slow.

Thanks for all the advice, this answered my questions!


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Current Tank Info: 90G mixed reef, 23g sump, 20g QT, 2 radions, Waveline 5000 retrun pump, RLLS R8u skimmer, filter socks, GFO/Carbon, RO/DI
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Unread 05/24/2012, 12:09 PM   #14
sponger0
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you know, this wasn't the answer I was looking for .
This was the answer your looking for. It just wasnt what you wanted to hear. Lol.


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Unread 05/24/2012, 12:13 PM   #15
gridley
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sponger0 View Post
This was the answer your looking for. It just wasnt what you wanted to hear. Lol.
Great reply!


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Unread 05/24/2012, 12:48 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mlott132 View Post
+1. You never know how long the cycle is going to take.
This. Since QTs are substantially smaller than DTs, they tend to cycle quicker.

But yes, don't put a fish in QT until it has cycled, just like your DT.


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Unread 05/24/2012, 03:44 PM   #17
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Great thread. I was about to post the same question. Just one more question, is the cycling process any different on a quarantine tank? Sorry, I don't mean to hijack OP. Thanks very much.


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Unread 05/24/2012, 07:39 PM   #18
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How do you cycle the QT if there's nothing in there but PVC pipes, filter floss and a sponge filter? Can you just use outgoing water from a DT that has already cycled for the initial fill, then do water changes with new water?

You are quarantining the inbound fish/life form to check for disease before adding to the DT, not the other way around, right?


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