Healthy Quarantine Tank?

[mlmoore]

OK - please let me know your thoughts on what makes a healthy quarantine tank. We are in the process of setting up or 260 g reef aquarium - we just bought it. We are thinking of getting a 30 to 40 gallon aquarium as a quarantine. I know we should use a quarantine tank for 3 to 4 weeks - but the water quality needs to be very good to not stress the fish out any more than they will anyway.

We are thinking of the following specs:
1) 30 to 40 gallons
2) no sand
3)maybe a live rock peice - to help keep microorganisms working on waste products (obviously never to be put in the main tank if this tank is treated)
4) a sponge filter to be put on an air source. We thought we could keep new sponge filters in the main tank sump to inoculate them with microorganism - bring in a new sponge with a new arrival and discard when the fish moves to the main tank.
5) powerhead for water flow
6) PVC or the like for hidy places
7) standard flourescent light hood

We've seen Amiracle wet-dry systems with a protein skimmer that hang on the side of the tank - but I'm not sure if this is "overkill" for the quarantine tank. If we have a piece of live rock and a seeded sponge with water flow moving through it - will that handle waste from the fish/feeding etc. Of course we will monitor the chemistry of the water as well.

Please let me know what you think of this or if you have found something that works better. This is a critical time for the fish and I want them to be in as good of environment as possible during this transisition time.

Thanks!

 

[HARRISON]

I have a small tank for cuttings and quarentine. I like to use the small hang on filters that have the disposible cartridges. It will do exactly what you were desribing except it will give a little more water movement. This will keep you from having to add a powerhead.

IMO without a large bio load and only temp use you won't need a skimmer. Bacteria should have plenty of time to "catch-up" between new arrivals.

Your new tank is a good place with a little less light and current to put your cuttings. Keeps them from getting blown away while attatching and lower light to give them a break. Anyway, I know there are people that can add to this but that my 2 cents.

Good luck

 

[mlmoore]

Thanks for your input Harrison. It sounds as though a protein skimmer wouldn't be necessary for a 3 to 4 week stay. I would imagine we'd never have more than one fish in the quarantine tank, unless we bought a pair or a school of smaller fish. I guess if we are worried about too many fish (which shouldn't happen), we could up the water changes a bit to help remove wastes. Thanks for your input!