how to set up a Q tank

I am wanting to set up a Q tank but not quite sure if I got this right. I have a 10 gallon tank with an aqueon HOB filter and just the florescent lights that came with the hood. I have a few PVC elbows that I am putting in there for hiding places, but nothing else. No sand or rock.

I have a filter pad in my sump tank that has been collecting goodies for a few months now. Do I just put that in the hob filter? Will I be good to go since that filter pad has the good bacteria on it?

 

Here you go ;D


A Fish Quarantine Process - Step by Step - Reef Sanctuary

 

sweet, thanks

 

I agree with the principals of what they say in that article except for the Sponge filter and the cycling of the tank. Why would you want to keep a tank full of water that had or possibly had a sick fish in it, or put a fish in water that has been medicated for something that it does not have.

I set up my quarantine tank several days before getting an order of fish or going shopping (which I don't do very often) I use salt water from my reef system of water from the tank that the fish is going to end up in. Then over the next 2 or 3 weeks I do water changes every couple of days. I also run a HOB filter using foam filter pads and Carbon unless I have to Treat the fish with chemicals.

I also use a 4" PVC pipe T and small plastic flower pot to give the fish some where to hide, this is very important, if a fish cannot hide anywhere it will become stressed, possibly to the point of getting sick.

After the fish has been put in the tank I tear it down and scrub and clean all the equipment and store it till the next one. And like Lee I have been doing this for well over 45 years for both fresh and Salt water with great success. But you have to decide which works for you and do it.

 

Similar here. I keep six biowheels and 4" PVC in the sump. When I need to set up a QT, I just tap off 10 or 20 gallons from the 500 gallon system, add the filters and PVC. Sponge filters work better for fresh water, IMO.

 

I do similar, set my QT or hospital tank up shortly before needing it and tear it down when I am done. I always use fresh saltwater though so i do not transfer anything from the display to the QT. Jus tanother level of protection. I use the AC hang on filters and keep a souple sponges in my sump at all times. The air lift sponge type filters worke very well too but I prefer the HOB style. That is based on 32 years of saltwater tanks and 25+ reefs.

 

Great advise everyone, makes a QT setup easy.

 

All it takes is a little pre planning and some minor equipment. It should be mandatory.

 

To avoid a cycle in the QT how long should the biowheels be left in my DT sump? Ideally I would have left them in there more months, but first time setting up a QT.

 

I wasn't going to use the sponge filter. I already have a HOB filter I am going to use. I only have 3 fish in my 75 that have been healthy for the 6+ months they have been in the tank. I haven't added any new fish yet and I hope to soon but I plan on QTing all my fish/invery additions from here on out. Thanks for the advise