More Questions From a Rookie.

[supertank]

I know I have been asking alot of questions lately, and I really appreciate all the help I have been getting from you all who have responded to my posts. Hopefully I'll sommeday be able to return the favors when I get a little more experience under my belt.
With that, I have two more questions about setting up a QT Tank. First, how come I'm being told to not have any kind of substrate on the bottom of the tank? Does this serve a purpose, or is it merely a cost saver.
Also, when you use your QT tank, is it for ONLY fish, or do you use it for corals and inverts as well?
Thanks again for all the advice.
Happy Reefing.

 

[9supratt4]

The more questions you ask, the more prepared you will be for this hobby!!
A bare bottom QT, yes it's for cost-savings, but also if you ever have to dose anything in that tank, mainly copper and some other drugs, you will never be able to use the substrate or the rock again.
If you can afford to set up a QT tank with the proper lighting and filtration to QT corals then do that. If not then just fish it is.

 

[supertank]

Thank you for the response. I would like to double my QT Tank as an actual FOWLR tank in my 2 year old sons room. I figure if I need a QT tank, then why not have it set up as a FOWLR tank as well for my son to enjoy in his room. Like you said, though, the tank will only be for fish if dosing is ever needed.
Thank you again for the respoonse.
P.S. Does anyone else use there QT tank doubled as a small display tank?

 

[flower]

I dip corals not QT them..I have learned (the hard way)that brains never get dipped...so check on each coral before doing it.
Inverts don't need to be QT. So fish only.
Also I read somewhere that substrate absorbs medicines and it makes it hard to figure the proper dose. So if you have no substrate and the fish turns up sick you can dose without worry if they are getting the proper amount.
Paint the bottom outside of the tank dark or black, with a clear bottom it freaks fish out...a black/dark cloth under the tank will work too.
Hope this helps.

 

[supertank]

Thanks Flower. I really appreciate the advice.