QT tank

[reefracer]

I have a small tank maybe a 12 gal cube that my son had at college, after cleaning will that be large enough for a QT tank for fish? If yes, then an QT tank should or should not house anything like sand, lr, or small fish? I think for a QT I've read best if bare just SW so meds. can be used without harm to anything. Is that correct or is it ok to have sand and rocks, I think not in case meds will harm life on rocks/sand. Oh, one more would it be a matter standard practice to "treat" all new fish during a QT period or only if problems are indicated? I am getting ready to add fish to my reef tank, it is almost a year old.

[framerguy]

Hi Reefracer, yes a 12g will make a fine QT. You don't need sand or LR but the fish would probably appreciate some to make them feel more comfortable. You definately want at least pieces of PVC pipe for hiding places. Copper base meds would kill inverebrate organisms in the sand but it's for astetics, not filtration in a QT. My best advice is to dip your fish in a methylene blue-freshwater dip (Methylene blue is available from Dr Foster and Smith) then quarantine the fish for two weeks in unmedicated water (preferably water from the MT) and observe. If an outbreak of something does occur then medicate, and once the problem is gone the two week clock starts again. HTH.

[ScubaDrew]

there are a lot of QT threads - ASH has a great thread with lots of Q and A on it. Do a quick search, i'm sure you'll find what you need.

12g will be big enough for a lot of things but i'm not familiar with your tank or what live stock you'd be QT'ing!

Drew

[cheeks69]

I have a small tank maybe a 12 gal cube that my son had at college, after cleaning will that be large enough for a QT tank for fish?

That will depend on the size of the fish as the Q and treatment period can last up to six weeks.

If yes, then an QT tank should or should not house anything like sand, lr, or small fish?

If using copper then no you shouldn't have substrate nor LR as it will bind to them. Also if you use the hyposalinity method and use LR all the fauna in the rock will die.

Oh, one more would it be a matter standard practice to "treat" all new fish during a QT period or only if problems are indicated?

This is debatable but IMHO you should treat prevetatively as fish can carry parasites/pathogens without showing any symptoms of illness and this will put the rest of your livestock in danger.

Here's some good info on setting up a Q tank:

ATJ's Marine Aquarium Site - Reference - Quarantine Tanks

[reefracer]

Thanks to all the answers I know I have a lot of noob questions. Thanks cheeks69 for the link. All Fish will be small types in stature as my main interests are the invert. and lr style reef but family and friends want to see fish and a few fish will be sort of nice and benificial to the tank I believe. Questions: 1. is it best to purchase and introduce all at once or one at the time species wise? 2. but if the answer is one at the time over time what about same species then is it best to introduce 2-3 together at the same time? Thanks

[Woodstock]

(moved to saltwaterfish forum)

Reefracer - check out all of the sticky threads that leebca has created... TONS of info!
http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/saltwater-fish/

[cheeks69]

Questions: 1. is it best to purchase and introduce all at once or one at the time species wise? 2. but if the answer is one at the time over time what about same species then is it best to introduce 2-3 together at the same time?

This is difficult to answer as some sp. are territorial and once established will not tolerate another but if added at the same time your bacterial population may not be enough because of the increase in bio-load. If you have a good amount of established LR and a good skimmer and the fish are relatively small then I would add them at the same time if not I would just add one fish at a time and avoid territorial fish or conspecifics.

[leebca]

reefracer,

I've posted the QT setup and procedure I use here: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...tml#post324146

Hope it helps!

[reefracer]

Many Thanks