Qt size?

[AussieReef400]

I'm looking to set up a temporary qt tank, have bio balls in my sump so figure I can use them in a cartridge filter and old dt water for instant cycling? The main question I have, unless I'm completely wrong bout the filter idea, is how big of a tank will I need? Will 2x1x1.5 be big enough? Biggest fish will be a kole yellow eyed tang, will the 2 footer stress him too much while in quarentine?
Thanks in advance :)

[thegrun]

Tangs are always tricky when it comes to quarantine; the stress of being in too small of a QT can sometimes bring on illnesses that the fish may have fought off on its own in a larger tank. Without any scientific data to back me up I would guess that a small tang (2" or under) would be okay in a 20 gallon tank but anything bigger should go into a 36" long minimum QT.

[MondoBongo]

I used a 20 long to qt my tangs, a yellow and kole. However they were both small when in qt. The kole was under 3" while the yellow was just under 2" at the time.

[ali1]

That size tank will be fine for a kole tang as a qt. Lfs have 5" fish in a 6x6 compartment for long periods, and thats not feet.

[Dmorty217]

20g long will work to QT most any fish short term

[MrTuskfish]

I think any of the tanks mentioned above will be fine. FWIW, using old DT water is what I've done for years, but does nothing to help cycle the tank. Water doesn't "cycle"; the friendly bacteria grow on LR, filter media, etc. Your bio-balls should work well, but always closely monitor QT water for ammonia.

[HumbleFish]

20g long will work to QT most any fish short term

+1 But if you're going to go with a 20L, also look at a 29 gal. It has the same footprint as the 20L but is taller. That extra 9 gals may not seem like much... but it gives the fish a little more swimming room, more wiggle room for ammonia, etc.

[AussieReef400]

Thanks guys, you're all very helpful.

[CoralReeForrest]

Keep your filter media that you use for your QT in your sump. It helps to quicken the cycle for your QT or rather then cycle you can do daily water changes if your short on time. Helps a bit!

[AussieReef400]

Yeah that's what I plan to do Forrest, got plenty of bio balls in the dt sump so wad goin to use them.

[ca1ore]

A 20 will work fine for a QT, if you already have one. But if you are going out to buy a tank I have found a 30 to be more generally useful.

[AussieReef400]

Just picked up an old breeder tank, no holes just teo sides painted, 3x1x1 i'm pretty sure it is so it should be plenty big enough. Starting to get really excited with my first salt water tank :)

[AussieReef400]

3x1.5x1.5 it is sorry.

[bnumair]

20 Long is a very good size QT for any tang fish. I have run many through that size including many achillies, blue hippos, naso etc.

[AussieReef400]

I'm just thinking of down the track if for whatever I have to pull my livestock out of the dt for any period of time, fingers crossed I won't though.

[MondoBongo]

no doubt the bigger, the better as far as tanks go. :)

if i had room for it, my QT would be at least a 75 gallon like my DT, but sadly there is only so much floor space, and tolerance from my girlfriend, on how many tanks we can have.

i told her, who needs furniture? but she we seem to have a fundamental disagreement as to the necessity of dining room tables and couches.