Quarantine tanks ?s What is a good filter, skimmer, etc.

[Jackson919]

Hello,

I am building a 10 gallon quarantine tank and have a few questions. I currently using the toy lighting hood that it comes with, barebottom, and a few pieces of PVC for structure.

1. Do I want the quarantine tank to be constantly in use, meaning do I just set it up for the time I need it or have it constantly running.
2. What is a good filtration system to use, do I need to use a small skimmer?
3. Do I want to throw a few pounds of LR in the tank when seeding the tank and filter for the first time, and also to use to keep the water in check with the main display tank. Then remove it if and when I need chemicals for any reason?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Anonymous]

My apporach to quarantine is different from some. I leave the tank up and running all the time. In fact, it's pretty much a small reef tank. I have life rock in there and even a few corals. I can't medicate in it, but I haven't needed to medicate a fish in years quite frankly. The tank is stable, and provides the most stress free environment possible.
Filtration is just live rock and sand, a small Aquaclear power filter for circulation. No skimmer.

Alternate plan, keep a spong filter in the sump of your display. This might be an airstone or powerhead driven spong, or the spong from a power filter. When you need to quarantine a fish, move this filter into your quarantine tank along with some water from your display - instant cycled tank. Put a heater in there of course.
In all my years of doing this, the constantly set up tank with life rock has worked the best for me.
If you need to medicate,you will need a hospital tank which is just a barebones setup.


Jim

 

[Mihai]

What Jim said.

1. Do I want the quarantine tank to be constantly in use, meaning do I just set it up for the time I need it or have it constantly running.

You can, some (Jim) do, others don't. Your choice.

2. What is a good filtration system to use, do I need to use a small skimmer?

You don't have to: your main "filtration" method is water changes. A skimmer and/or some macroalgae, and LR will reduce the amount of necessary water changes. So if you have the skimmer around, plug it in, but don't buy one just for the QT.

3. Do I want to throw a few pounds of LR in the tank when seeding the tank and filter for the first time, and also to use to keep the water in check with the main display tank. Then remove it if and when I need chemicals for any reason?

See what Jim said - you can get the bacteria seed by using a sponge filter in your sump a few days before the new purchase (or all the time)
then move it in the QT just before the new guys. LR is good too, but not a must.

M.