Coral QT Question

[jpc763]

A couple of Coral QT Questions.
I currently dip, but do not QT corals. I am thinking about QT of coral for 2-3 weeks but have questions...
I have a 5g hex with 10w 5700 compact flourescent lighting and very minimal flow. I can add a powerhead if needed.
1) Is this enough light to QT coral? Softies, Zoos & LPS?
2) How much flow should I have?
3) Can I drop coral in with fish that are already in the QT?
Thanks, J

 

[perfectdark]

Originally Posted by jpc763
A couple of Coral QT Questions.
I currently dip, but do not QT corals. I am thinking about QT of coral for 2-3 weeks but have questions...
I have a 5g hex with 10w 5700 compact flourescent lighting and very minimal flow. I can add a powerhead if needed.
1) Is this enough light to QT coral? Softies, Zoos & LPS?
2) How much flow should I have?
3) Can I drop coral in with fish that are already in the QT?
Thanks, J
1) Zoa's possibly yes. LPS, NO
2) you should have a small PH in there to give a nice gentle flow
3) sure but its like starting QT for your fish all over again.

 

[jpc763]

1) So LPS can't handle 2 weeks with lower light?
2) I can get a small powerhead, no problem
3) So why does it restart the fish QT? I was under the impression that you were QTing fish for ich mainly and you QT coral for bugs. Can coral bugs inflect your fish or vice versa?

 

[perfectdark]

Well most of the coral tanks I have seen have fish in them. My reasoning is if the coral you purchase was in a tank with a fish that had or has ich then its quite possible that the stage of ich where the parasite leaves the fish it could very well settle on a piece of coral. Being that the life cycle of ich is approx 6 weeks, this could potentially start your qt cycle again. However this whole theory is squashed if the tank you are buying your coral from is fishless.

 

[perfectdark]

1) So LPS can't handle 2 weeks with lower light?
QUOTE]
Is it possible they can survive for 2 weeks with minimal lighting? yes its possible but its also stressful. They usually have to be placed at the top of alot of tanks with marginal PC lighting @ 3 watts or so per gal.

 

[jpc763]

OK, thanks for the input. I will have to figure a different coral QT solution.
John