QT tank size and requirements

am00re34

am00re34

Member
I am finally going to take everyones advice and set-up a QT tank. What size tank should it be? I have a spare 10g laying around, but i was thinking if i QT tangs that it would be to small for any period of time.
Also what type of filtration should be on it? should you run copper? do you need lights? rocks? sand?
 
m0nk

m0nk

Active Member
Originally Posted by Am00re34
http:///forum/post/2502343
I am finally going to take everyones advice and set-up a QT tank. What size tank should it be? I have a spare 10g laying around, but i was thinking if i QT tangs that it would be to small for any period of time.
Also what type of filtration should be on it? should you run copper? do you need lights? rocks? sand?
I have a 12g and a 29g QT. My DT sizes are 55g and 180g. It does depend on the size fish you will have to QT when they come in but should also consider the adult size of the fish, in case something comes up after you're fully stocked. I've had a blue hippo in the 12g for hypo, but it was 1 inch long at the time.
You don't need sand or live rock, in fact I'd recommend against it. You could use a standard HOB filter, a powerhead, heater, PVC pieces (so the fish have someplace to hang out or hide), and yes, you should have a cheap light on top so you can observe the fish.
I wouldn't use copper regularly, but the point of having a QT is in case you need to administer one of the various treatments like copper in the future.
Some people cover the back and sides with paint, background material, or even construction paper; the less light that passes through the better the fish can orient itself and keep calmer when it's stressed.
HTH
 
am00re34

am00re34

Member
ive read you should keep fish in QT for about a month after buying them so ich or any other parisite dies off. Is this overkill?
As for size i think i'll pick up something like a 30l to make sure its large enough. I'm a HUGE tang fan so i want to make sure there is atleast a little room for them to swim.
for the filter i have a Eheim canister just laying around. Would that be overkill? i think i could use it for the filtration and water movement. If i use that or any HOB what should be in it? carbon, those pentagon ceramic things (like bioballs) etc
 
m0nk

m0nk

Active Member
Originally Posted by Am00re34
http:///forum/post/2502411
ive read you should keep fish in QT for about a month after buying them so ich or any other parisite dies off. Is this overkill?
As for size i think i'll pick up something like a 30l to make sure its large enough. I'm a HUGE tang fan so i want to make sure there is atleast a little room for them to swim.
for the filter i have a Eheim canister just laying around. Would that be overkill? i think i could use it for the filtration and water movement. If i use that or any HOB what should be in it? carbon, those pentagon ceramic things (like bioballs) etc
I think a month is ok, I'd go for the 4-6 weeks range. I've had ich pop up as early as day 2 and as late as week 3... and believe me, if you're going for tangs, you'll definitely see ich in QT...
The canister should do fine if you want to use it, just make sure you keep up with a regular cleaning regiment. An HOB would work too, most have their own carbon-based cartridge filter pads. I'm not a fan of bio-balls, personally.
 
jpc763

jpc763

Active Member
I bought a complete 5g hex setup at Walmart for $30. I added a small heater and one powerhead and I was in business. It came with a biowheel filter and so far I have not had a spike of any kind after cycling (which took a long time).
If I was doing it again, I would do the same thing, only buying a 10g or 20g complete setup at the same place.
 
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