Numerous Quarantine Tank Questions

[UsRealm]

Hello All:
Help! I want to setup a saltwater quarantine tank, but I am finding all sorts of differing opinions about the specs and operation. I am sure there are people on sdmas that can help me out. My display tank will be a reef setup in a 46 gallon, with only a handful of fish. Most of them will be less than 2 inches in length.

First question: When a reef setup gets a disease like ick, what are you to do? I have heard it is impossible to net anything in a reef setup, but that you can't treat the tank due to corals. Do you just leave the disease untreated hoping that the fish's natural defences will kick in. I have read that some aquarists disassemble everything into another tank while they wait for the lifecycle of the parasite to run its course. This seems a bit drastic.

Second Question: I was going to purchase a 14 gallon biocube as a quarantine tank, to try to prevent outbreaks of disease in the display tank. Is this a large enough tank? I have read some that say 30 gallon is the minumum, and others that say around 15 gallons is fine. 30 gallons would be like having another full tank in my case.

Third Question: As far as I can tell, the quarantine tank should be as minimalistic as possible. If I were to get a 14 gallon biocube, should I get the mini biocube skimmer that is available on the market, or would sponges in the back of the tank be better. Should there be any substrate, or just plastic plants or PVC pipe? Also, during water changes, would I use water from the main tank to ease the fish into the water quality, or fresh water? Lastly, how do you keep up water quality in the quarantine tank?

Fourth Question: What is the best method for sterilizing the aquarium and parts after use. I have heard a 2% bleach mixture, but I am unsure about this.


Sorry (for the length) and Thanks, Cullen

[treylane]

Basically everybody is going to have their own opinions as far as this goes... you're going to have to take their opinions into account and figure out which method is best for your situation.


First question: When a reef setup gets a disease like ick, what are you to do? I have heard it is impossible to net anything in a reef setup, but that you can't treat the tank due to corals. Do you just leave the disease untreated hoping that the fish's natural defences will kick in. I have read that some aquarists disassemble everything into another tank while they wait for the lifecycle of the parasite to run its course. This seems a bit drastic.

It is usually possible to catch fish in a reef tank, with a fish trap. It takes time and patience, but you'll eventually catch nearly any fish that's eating prepared foods. In my experience, an outbreak of the dreaded ich is usually due to a problem with your tank - poor water quality, stress from agressive fish, not enough food, etc. One of the more typical problems is wide heat fluctuations from aquarists without enough watts of heaters. So in most situations the best way to treat ich is to FIND THE PROBLEM(s) WITH THE TANK, AND FIX IT, while feeding the fish heavily. Catching them and putting them in a strange new tank, often without enough hiding places, can be enough stress to do them in.

[Jessy]

Hello All:
Help! I want to setup a saltwater quarantine tank, but I am finding all sorts of differing opinions about the specs and operation. I am sure there are people on sdmas that can help me out. My display tank will be a reef setup in a 46 gallon, with only a handful of fish. Most of them will be less than 2 inches in length.

First question: When a reef setup gets a disease like ick, what are you to do? I have heard it is impossible to net anything in a reef setup, but that you can't treat the tank due to corals. Do you just leave the disease untreated hoping that the fish's natural defences will kick in. I have read that some aquarists disassemble everything into another tank while they wait for the lifecycle of the parasite to run its course. This seems a bit drastic.

Ahh this question will never fully be answered 100% because there are just too many different types of answers. I've had ich and done both. My experience in a nut shell. I QT'd a new Tang as soon as I got it. 2 days later it had ich. I put copper in the QT tank and left the fish in there for a month. Put said tang in my display and sold the QT tank....and tang got ich in my display (first ich outbreak in my display ever). So I just decided to do the medication in the food, garlic soak everything, keep up the water changes, and use cleaner shrimps method. Tang never kicked the ich, gave it to 7 of my other fish and they all died. the end. Now I have one other tang that has ich...but it seems to be battling it ok. None of the other fish are catching it, and a few spots show up sometimes and leave others on this new tang.....I'm just hoping for the best. If this one dies I'm going to just give up on Tangs all together. As for catching a fish in a reef. It is HARD but with a fish trap you can probably catch your fishes.

Second Question: I was going to purchase a 14 gallon biocube as a quarantine tank, to try to prevent outbreaks of disease in the display tank. Is this a large enough tank? I have read some that say 30 gallon is the minumum, and others that say around 15 gallons is fine. 30 gallons would be like having another full tank in my case. 14 gal biocube is fine for a QT tank. You just have to remember that smaller tanks get fouled quicker and therefore you have to maintain the water quality more often. I wouldn't go and QT 10 fish in a 14 gal tank, but a few small fish would be fine. Remember a QT tank is 1st supposed to be a restful place for you to observe your new fish without risking your tank. Putting 10 fish in a small place that is full of dirty water isn't really all that relaxing.

Third Question: As far as I can tell, the quarantine tank should be as minimalistic as possible. If I were to get a 14 gallon biocube, should I get the mini biocube skimmer that is available on the market, or would sponges in the back of the tank be better. Should there be any substrate, or just plastic plants or PVC pipe? Also, during water changes, would I use water from the main tank to ease the fish into the water quality, or fresh water? Lastly, how do you keep up water quality in the quarantine tank? I'd leave the sponges out, they can become NO3 factories, skimmers are always a good choice. If you have the $$ get a nice one, do some research on the one you want for some customer reviews. I know there are some nano skimmers not worth the glue that holds them together. No substrate, plastic plants are only really for your enjoyment, but PVC pipes are acceptable. The fish like to hide in them and feel safer. And yes you should be able to use the water from the tank to change the QT water. Or do a fresh mix of saltwater I really think its all the same. Just don't go putting in tank water if you are cycling or having an ammonia spike. Water Quality in the QT tank is maintained by water changes. Small and Frequent. You want to keep the PH and the temperature as stable as possible in there = less stress.

Fourth Question: What is the best method for sterilizing the aquarium and parts after use. I have heard a 2% bleach mixture, but I am unsure about this.
unsure about this as well. maybe someone else can chime in.

Sorry (for the length) and Thanks, Cullen

[UsRealm]

Thanks for the recommendations:

So I have been all over the internet this evening trying to find different ideas for setting it up. I have found that all the nano protein skimmers that are affordable (<$100) get horrible reviews for the most part. The cpr sr3 that fits in the back of an oceanic 29 gallon has received really good reviews, although it is very expensive. I figure maybe Ill just suck it up and purchase a 29 gallon setup, and maybe Ill be able to use it as a full tank in the future. Numerous sources said to have the same filtration in the QT as you have in your display tank, and since I have a bakpak already, this seems to be a good idea. Too bad everything is so expensive. Does anyone know where to find any of the items mentioned about, but a bit cheaper (other than craigslist)?

[UsRealm]

Oh... also, what is a "fish trap" you guys keep referring to. Is that an actual device?
Cullen

[Jessy]

Thanks for the recommendations:

So I have been all over the internet this evening trying to find different ideas for setting it up. I have found that all the nano protein skimmers that are affordable (<$100) get horrible reviews for the most part. The cpr sr3 that fits in the back of an oceanic 29 gallon has received really good reviews, although it is very expensive. I figure maybe Ill just suck it up and purchase a 29 gallon setup, and maybe Ill be able to use it as a full tank in the future. Numerous sources said to have the same filtration in the QT as you have in your display tank, and since I have a bakpak already, this seems to be a good idea. Too bad everything is so expensive. Does anyone know where to find any of the items mentioned about, but a bit cheaper (other than craigslist)?

here's a mod idea http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/nano-reefs/14853-skimmer-refugium-mods.html


and a top quality skimmer producer for the biocube http://www.nanotuners.com/product_info.php?cPath=51&products_id=405

you can always look up used sapphire skimmers on reefcentral. you might have to pay shipping but there are so many people selling used goods there, you've got a good chance at finding one or two of whatever you want.

[Jessy]

Oh... also, what is a "fish trap" you guys keep referring to. Is that an actual device?
Cullen

yep. something like this http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=14700&cmpid=03csegb&ref=3312&subref=AA&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=0025823000000

but if you need one, you can generally borrow one from someone on here.

[treylane]

A CPR Bakpak should do fine as a skimmer on a QT tank. They can be a bit loud, but they're inexpensive and they do a decent job of skimming up to a 60g tank or so.