how big for QT?

[bkc978]

I have a 45G tank and i don't really have room for an 'appropriate' QT - but I was looking at the fish store and did see smaller tanks that would fit underneath my tank (in the stand) and thought i might get one of them for a QT (or maybe a small refuge) - but they are like 5 gallons (or smaller).
the fish i plan to get are small - gobies, dragonet, blenny - etc - the biggest fish i want is a flame angel.
would a 5G Qt be too small - and how long could i leave them in the QT?

 

[carshark]

Originally Posted by BKC978
I have a 45G tank and i don't really have room for an 'appropriate' QT - but I was looking at the fish store and did see smaller tanks that would fit underneath my tank (in the stand) and thought i might get one of them for a QT (or maybe a small refuge) - but they are like 5 gallons (or smaller).
the fish i plan to get are small - gobies, dragonet, blenny - etc - the biggest fish i want is a flame angel.
would a 5G Qt be too small - and how long could i leave them in the QT?
well for one id avoid a mandarin totally with a 45, some may agree or disagree, but a mandarin needs about 90lbs of well established live rock to feed on, otherwise he probably wont make it...but with that size tank, youd be ok with a 10 long really, i think IMO a 5 gallon would be too small to maintain easily in a QT, but its your choice...

 

[bkc978]

Thanks - as for the mandarin - I didn;t realize they need that much LR - I plan on eventually putting a HOB refug with a DSB - this would give pods a place to gorw form my understanding - do you think an 18G HOB would provide enough pods or should i just wait until i eventually 'graduate' to a bigger tank?

 

[popnfrresh]

IMO an 18g HOB fuge is way to big for a 45g tank. Remember that 18g of water sand and some live rock comes out to at LEAST 144 lbs and thats only the water... think of plumbing pump lights....etc . If you want somehting that large i would put it below your tank or plump it next to it. BUT thats only my opinion.
Somone correct me if im wrong.

 

[bkc978]

OK - sorry - 18 inches was the length i had in my head, not the gallons - sorry

- the HOB would be 4-5G - mostly planned on putting some plants, DSB, small amt of LR.
--and YES that would probably tip my tank over if i hung that on the back!!