Too early to quarantine?

Thornbreaker · 11/09/2017, 02:04 PM

Would there be any issues with starting a quarantine up months before my main display is ready? I don't think my DT will be ready till late January early February, due to budget.

However, since I've got a 20 gal and most of the equipment for a QT, I've been thinking about getting a pair of clowns before Thanksgiving (provided my saltwater mixing station is ready too).
This means they'd be in the QT for a few months instead of the usual 4 to 8 weeks I've seen recommended.

Would there be any issues with doing that? I figure it may be a good way to get into the routine of QT, feeding, mixing water, testing, etc. before my 150 gal DT is ready to go.

homer1475 · 11/09/2017, 02:31 PM

Sounds like a fine plan to me.

Besides even if you start your tank in February, it probably wont cycle for another 6 to 8 weeks anyways. The clowns will be in QT for plenty of time by then.

SAT · 11/09/2017, 03:25 PM

+1
A well set up quarantine tank should be able to hold the fish indefinitely.

Thornbreaker · 11/09/2017, 03:39 PM

Thanks y'all.

If I've got a hang on the back filter for the QT, do I need a power head or air stone at all for increased oxygen exchange?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

homer1475 · 11/09/2017, 05:07 PM

In a 20G with no corals, the HOB will be fine.

heathlindner25 · 11/09/2017, 05:23 PM

No bacteria, the fish will suffer. Everyone cycles the main tank but have no problem putting fish in a raw qt.

Thornbreaker · 11/10/2017, 09:16 AM

I plan to cycle the QT, esp since it'll be up and running for a good bit of time.

I've just seen some people who mention a powerhead/air stone and some who've gone without that, so wanted to make sure it wasn't needed if the HOB causes enough agitation for oxygen exchange.

Thank y'all for the replies.

scooter31707 · 11/13/2017, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thornbreaker

Thanks y'all.

If I've got a hang on the back filter for the QT, do I need a power head or air stone at all for increased oxygen exchange?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I would recommend one if you have to dose meds to get a more oxygen in the tank. Some meds are known to deplete oxygen.

sde1500 · 11/13/2017, 12:04 PM

I'd doubt that a bio-wheel HOB would be able to house enough bacteria to properly keep a few fish long term. I would add https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sponge-filter-hydra.html as well. This can help add more oxygen to the water and allows for another surface for bacteria to populate.

11/09/2017, 02:04 PM	#1
Thornbreaker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 334	Too early to quarantine? Would there be any issues with starting a quarantine up months before my main display is ready? I don't think my DT will be ready till late January early February, due to budget. However, since I've got a 20 gal and most of the equipment for a QT, I've been thinking about getting a pair of clowns before Thanksgiving (provided my saltwater mixing station is ready too). This means they'd be in the QT for a few months instead of the usual 4 to 8 weeks I've seen recommended. Would there be any issues with doing that? I figure it may be a good way to get into the routine of QT, feeding, mixing water, testing, etc. before my 150 gal DT is ready to go.

11/09/2017, 02:31 PM	#2
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	Sounds like a fine plan to me. Besides even if you start your tank in February, it probably wont cycle for another 6 to 8 weeks anyways. The clowns will be in QT for plenty of time by then. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

11/09/2017, 03:25 PM	#3
SAT Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Berwyn, PA Posts: 4,073 Blog Entries: 1	+1 A well set up quarantine tank should be able to hold the fish indefinitely. __________________ Stuart Current Tank Info: 300G Caribbean biotype reef set up in 2003.

11/09/2017, 03:39 PM	#4
Thornbreaker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 334	Thanks y'all. If I've got a hang on the back filter for the QT, do I need a power head or air stone at all for increased oxygen exchange? Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk __________________ SC Aquariums - 150 Gallon 5'x2'x2'; Trigger Elite 36 Sump; Mars Aqua Lights 150 lbs reefcleaner rock, SCA 302 Skimmer Current Stock: Foxface lo, 2 clowns, royal gramma, 2 spot bristletooth tang, fir

11/09/2017, 05:07 PM	#5
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	In a 20G with no corals, the HOB will be fine. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

11/09/2017, 05:23 PM	#6
heathlindner25 Moved On Join Date: May 2012 Location: flowery branch georgia Posts: 3,644	No bacteria, the fish will suffer. Everyone cycles the main tank but have no problem putting fish in a raw qt.

11/10/2017, 09:16 AM	#7
Thornbreaker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 334	I plan to cycle the QT, esp since it'll be up and running for a good bit of time. I've just seen some people who mention a powerhead/air stone and some who've gone without that, so wanted to make sure it wasn't needed if the HOB causes enough agitation for oxygen exchange. Thank y'all for the replies.

11/13/2017, 12:04 PM	#9
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	I'd doubt that a bio-wheel HOB would be able to house enough bacteria to properly keep a few fish long term. I would add https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sponge-filter-hydra.html as well. This can help add more oxygen to the water and allows for another surface for bacteria to populate. __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.