QT Tank?

[atrocity]

What are they exactly, and what do I need to set one up for future use?

[miztahphong2]

well a qt is a tank where you can treat sick animals and like keep them there to see how they do instead of putting them directly into your main tank. some people use some kinda substrate, sand, cc, ect. some even put live rock.

[MikeS]

my QT tank is a bare bottom 15 gal cube that I fill up with tank water when I have a sick fish I need to medicate, or when I purchase a new fish, I keep him in there to make sure he is healthy before I add him to the main tank.

A QT does not have to be anything elaborate...the bare basics will do...tank, filter ( I use an old HOB), heater....that's about it....

Mike

[jdallred]

Also including something for the fish to hide in will help to reduce stress, as Mike suggested nothing elaborate. Many hobbyists (at least those that use a QT) use a section of pvc to accomplish this.

[atrocity]

are you filling this tank up with water just when its needed from your display tank, then adding all the water back to the tank if just used for acclimation (or just tossing it when used for medication)

[moranpr1973]

Whenever I finish using mine (medicated)I just toss it. Just to be sure. But if you just use it for acclimation there should be no problem in putting it back.

[Condiman]

What do you all use to keep your QT going when you are not using it?

[MikeS]

I only set mine up when I need it.

Mike

[moranpr1973]

I set it up when I need it, just so the water will be the same as the main tank.

[Condiman]

Just wondering that is all

[Speckled Grouper]

My QT tank is a 10 gallon and with 2 fish in QT (new purchase) the ammonia started going up after about 2 weeks, and I put the new fish in the main tank, no problems. I left it running in anticipation of another new fish purchase, the ammonia is down, but the nititrites and nitrates are up. So I figure it is best to break it down after each QT session and fill as needed.

[MikeS]

yeah, I agree...I also use a HOB filter with carbon to help get around this problem.

Mike

[atrocity]

Whats an HOB filter?

[MikeS]

hang on the back

Mike

[atrocity]

If I were to upgrade my main tanks filtering system, would the Skilter250 make a great QT filter?

[MikeS]

if you already have it, sure, it'd be fine for a QT tank

mike

[atrocity]

As for my main tank I have a 25 tall using the Skilter right now, but I want to get a filter/skimmer that will be capable of handling a 75 gal in the future when I upgrade. Any recommendations from experience?

[MikeS]

For a 75 gal, I'd go with an AquaC remora. I've never used one, but I have never seen anything but glowing reviews from hobbyists on them.

Mike

[SaltyDawg]

I have a QT set up for when I need to medicate a fish. It has no substrait, but does have stuff in there so the fish can hide. Old conch shell, fake weeds and such.

What I usually do is take the water from my main tank and fill the QT then replace the water taken out of the main tank with some new RO/DI water with the proper salt solution.

If you are going to treat a fish then take the carbon filter out or it will just absorb the medications. If you are just using it to Quaranteen a new fish then the carbon is ok to leave in.

By not putting in a substrait you afford yourself a better chance of properly medicating the fish as per the instructions. Most medicine is used on a per gallon basis and if you have a substrait in a 10g tank how much are you going to dose? You don't really know since you have no way of knowing exactly how much water is in the tank.
Wayne