What size tank for QT?

danmartis · 05/02/2012, 02:03 AM

I'm looking in to getting a qt tank probably on craigslist. What size do I need it to be? And I understand I need a filter for the tank too?

TimeConsumer · 05/02/2012, 04:22 AM

It depends on what you plan to QT.
I'd say at minimum a 20g.
A 30g is a good size to aim for.

You will need a filter, I'd go with the sponge filters and just float the sponge in your sump when the QT isn't in use.

Ron Reefman · 05/02/2012, 05:09 AM

I used a 10g for several years but was mostly doing smaller inverts (wild collected). I set up a 20g for a bigger butterfly I bought. Now I'm setting up a 55g, full time, 'local' tank that will also get used as a QT and the old tanks will be Hospital Tanks if I even need one.

I ran the old QT's with a HOB filter and skimmer, a chiller (they were out in a hot SW Florida garage) and a small powerhead. I keep water parameters under control by doing water changes with water from my DT and putting new saltwater in the DT to replentish it. That way the QT has the same parameters as the DT. I never lost a fish in my QT.

R_Hudson · 05/02/2012, 09:25 AM

Currently I use a 20 long, Its big enough for any animal I will get, yet still small enough the animal can be properly observed.

I had a 10 gal that I used, until my son decided to use it one day as a turtle home. and I needed it shortly after.

I try to keep them small enough that when not in use I can put them up and out of sight. But can easily be filled and ready if an emergency arises

cloak · 05/02/2012, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danmartis

I'm looking in to getting a qt tank probably on craigslist. What size do I need it to be? And I understand I need a filter for the tank too?

Check this out.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ture/index.php

danmartis · 05/02/2012, 12:42 PM

Thanks for the link. So I have a 50 g and I think a 10 g will be fine.any recommendations on the filter?

ReeferBill · 05/02/2012, 12:46 PM

+1 ,,,,,I have a 46 bow with 38 gallon fuge and 10 gallon for Quarrantine and or hospital set-up....

cloak · 05/02/2012, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danmartis

any recommendations on the filter?

You can't go wrong with any of the Aquaclear HOB filters.

http://www.aquacave.com/Hagen-AquaCl...ters-C998.aspx

SaltyReefDog · 05/02/2012, 01:17 PM

A QT tank depends on the display size. My display is only 75g so I run a 10g QT. You want the QT to accommodate the size fish that you will be putting into your display. Larger fish need a larger QT so they are not stressed out.

I run a simple ATO, a AquaTech power filter found at any Walmart, and a 4 bulb t5 light (I use this because I QT coral frags as well).

A couple PVC couplings in the tank for the fish to hide in help reduce stress as well.

danmartis · 05/02/2012, 01:33 PM

Thank you guys.

danmartis · 05/02/2012, 01:51 PM

http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/04...33_500X500.jpg
So will this work for a 10 g or I should get one that is rated for more gallons?

skidoctor · 05/02/2012, 02:16 PM

Do you run a QT full time or only when it is needed for acclimation or hospice? I've been thinking of setting one up, have my sponge for my hob in my sump for 4 weeks, but don't know the proper procedure. I've been told to use 80% DT water and 20% new mix. Would this mean that there is no cycling? And if there needs to be a cycle, doesn't it make sense to run it 24/7 even if there is nothing in it. I plan on no sand or rock, just pvc elbows. An hob with sponge (should I run carbon or phosban), t5 lights, a heater and a pump for circulation. Does this sound right or is there more that I'm missing?

danmartis · 05/02/2012, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skidoctor

Do you run a QT full time or only when it is needed for acclimation or hospice? I've been thinking of setting one up, have my sponge for my hob in my sump for 4 weeks, but don't know the proper procedure. I've been told to use 80% DT water and 20% new mix. Would this mean that there is no cycling? And if there needs to be a cycle, doesn't it make sense to run it 24/7 even if there is nothing in it. I plan on no sand or rock, just pvc elbows. An hob with sponge (should I run carbon or phosban), t5 lights, a heater and a pump for circulation. Does this sound right or is there more that I'm missing?

I will run one just to qt new fish as I don't have the room to run afull time qt tank.

pbhere · 05/02/2012, 02:38 PM

Thanks for that link, what great information. I'm going to begin planning my QT today.

SaltyReefDog · 05/02/2012, 06:34 PM

Quote:

http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/04...33_500X500.jpg
So will this work for a 10 g or I should get one that is rated for more gallons?

That is the filter I run on my 10g QT. It has plenty of flow and it is only $11.00. You can buy a 6 pack of replacement cartridges to keep on hand for around $12.00. The filter is made by Marineland in Cincinnati Ohio. I have never had a problem with them, plus they are super quiet.

Quote:

Do you run a QT full time or only when it is needed for acclimation or hospice? I've been thinking of setting one up, have my sponge for my hob in my sump for 4 weeks, but don't know the proper procedure. I've been told to use 80% DT water and 20% new mix. Would this mean that there is no cycling? And if there needs to be a cycle, doesn't it make sense to run it 24/7 even if there is nothing in it. I plan on no sand or rock, just pvc elbows. An hob with sponge (should I run carbon or phosban), t5 lights, a heater and a pump for circulation. Does this sound right or is there more that I'm missing?

- I run mine full time as I usually have a few coral frags in there.

- You can run 100% new saltwater if you want to with a sponge from the DT. The water column holds relatively little bacteria compare to what is in a sponge or filter media. It is still important to monitor water parameters, a lot of medications will kill off all the beneficial bacteria along with the bad. This is why most people usually keep an eye on ammonia and just do water changes. I use my DT water change water in my QT.

- I would not bother running carbon or phosban. If you are medicating Carbon will remove it from the water. You can use carbon after the recommended medication period to remove the rest.

- Tank, Light, Heater, Thermometer, HOB or Sponge Filter, PVC fittings for fish, and a optional power head are all you really need.

Happy Reefing

Playa-1 · 05/02/2012, 10:16 PM

I'm running a 20 gal and it seems to be a good size for the purpose of QT.

Nirvana · 05/02/2012, 11:12 PM

Where can i find a sponge filter for the bacteria to grow on?

SaltyReefDog · 05/02/2012, 11:29 PM

http://www.marinedepot.com/Ista_Hydr...FRITAD-vi.html

Many of RC sponsors sites sell them.

danmartis · 05/03/2012, 12:53 AM

so, right now im cycling my tank im 2 weeks and a half in.i have dry rock in with some aragonite live sand in.
im trying to get the ammonia spike going but its going slow.i had one raw shrimp in that disolved after a week and im ghost feeding since then.
so if i start my qt tank do i have to cycle that one too for 3 more weeks? or can i get away without cycling the qt tank?

05/02/2012, 02:03 AM	#1
danmartis Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: van nuys, CA Posts: 526	What size tank for QT? I'm looking in to getting a qt tank probably on craigslist. What size do I need it to be? And I understand I need a filter for the tank too?

05/02/2012, 04:22 AM	#2
TimeConsumer Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Orleans, La Posts: 1,043	It depends on what you plan to QT. I'd say at minimum a 20g. A 30g is a good size to aim for. You will need a filter, I'd go with the sponge filters and just float the sponge in your sump when the QT isn't in use. __________________ Steve - Reefing by the seat of my pants 75g Mixed Reef - Reef Octopus Extreme XS 160 - 6x54w Fan Mod Tek Light - Dual MP10w - SG: 1.026 - Calc: 420ppm - Alk: 8dkh - Mag: 1300ppm

05/02/2012, 05:09 AM	#3
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 3,691	I used a 10g for several years but was mostly doing smaller inverts (wild collected). I set up a 20g for a bigger butterfly I bought. Now I'm setting up a 55g, full time, 'local' tank that will also get used as a QT and the old tanks will be Hospital Tanks if I even need one. I ran the old QT's with a HOB filter and skimmer, a chiller (they were out in a hot SW Florida garage) and a small powerhead. I keep water parameters under control by doing water changes with water from my DT and putting new saltwater in the DT to replentish it. That way the QT has the same parameters as the DT. I never lost a fish in my QT. __________________ 180g DT, 200 lbs LR, 2 EG IT2080 leds 70g nem tank, 1 EG IT2040 led 150g sump/refugium with cheap Chinese led, AquaMedic 5000 Shorty skimmer, DIY nitrate reactor, 2400gph Reeflo & OM4 CL, 3200gph su

05/02/2012, 09:25 AM	#4
R_Hudson Just having fun Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Tulsa, Ok. Posts: 971	Currently I use a 20 long, Its big enough for any animal I will get, yet still small enough the animal can be properly observed. I had a 10 gal that I used, until my son decided to use it one day as a turtle home. and I needed it shortly after. I try to keep them small enough that when not in use I can put them up and out of sight. But can easily be filled and ready if an emergency arises __________________ I don't pay to have my dirty work done for me. I do it myself. Ted Nugent

05/02/2012, 12:46 PM	#7
ReeferBill Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 1,187	+1 ,,,,,I have a 46 bow with 38 gallon fuge and 10 gallon for Quarrantine and or hospital set-up.... __________________ I never realized I had to be a Chemist and a Marine Biologist to maintain a Reef Aquarium!

05/02/2012, 12:42 PM	#6
danmartis Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: van nuys, CA Posts: 526	Thanks for the link. So I have a 50 g and I think a 10 g will be fine.any recommendations on the filter?

05/02/2012, 01:17 PM	#9
SaltyReefDog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 134	A QT tank depends on the display size. My display is only 75g so I run a 10g QT. You want the QT to accommodate the size fish that you will be putting into your display. Larger fish need a larger QT so they are not stressed out. I run a simple ATO, a AquaTech power filter found at any Walmart, and a 4 bulb t5 light (I use this because I QT coral frags as well). A couple PVC couplings in the tank for the fish to hide in help reduce stress as well.

05/02/2012, 01:33 PM	#10
danmartis Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: van nuys, CA Posts: 526	Thank you guys.

05/02/2012, 01:51 PM	#11
danmartis Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: van nuys, CA Posts: 526	http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/04...33_500X500.jpg So will this work for a 10 g or I should get one that is rated for more gallons?

05/02/2012, 02:16 PM	#12
skidoctor Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: canandaigua, ny Posts: 364	Do you run a QT full time or only when it is needed for acclimation or hospice? I've been thinking of setting one up, have my sponge for my hob in my sump for 4 weeks, but don't know the proper procedure. I've been told to use 80% DT water and 20% new mix. Would this mean that there is no cycling? And if there needs to be a cycle, doesn't it make sense to run it 24/7 even if there is nothing in it. I plan on no sand or rock, just pvc elbows. An hob with sponge (should I run carbon or phosban), t5 lights, a heater and a pump for circulation. Does this sound right or is there more that I'm missing?

05/02/2012, 02:38 PM	#14
pbhere Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 60	Thanks for that link, what great information. I'm going to begin planning my QT today.

05/02/2012, 10:16 PM	#16
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,502	I'm running a 20 gal and it seems to be a good size for the purpose of QT.

05/02/2012, 11:12 PM	#17
Nirvana Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 231	Where can i find a sponge filter for the bacteria to grow on?

05/02/2012, 11:29 PM	#18
SaltyReefDog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 134	http://www.marinedepot.com/Ista_Hydr...FRITAD-vi.html Many of RC sponsors sites sell them.

05/03/2012, 12:53 AM	#19
danmartis Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: van nuys, CA Posts: 526	so, right now im cycling my tank im 2 weeks and a half in.i have dry rock in with some aragonite live sand in. im trying to get the ammonia spike going but its going slow.i had one raw shrimp in that disolved after a week and im ghost feeding since then. so if i start my qt tank do i have to cycle that one too for 3 more weeks? or can i get away without cycling the qt tank?