Advice on setting up a quarantine tub for a 6” fish for two months.

[alton]

I need ideas on what I need to do to keep a 6” fish alive in a 100 gallon tub for two months. I can get dead rock and add water from existing tanks for bacteria or do I start with fresh saltwater and add some kind of miracle drug into the water to control ammonia and Nitrites? Also what type of filtration do I use to oxygenate the water? How often do I need to do water changes and once again do I use water from existing tanks or fresh saltwater?

[BSJF]

I would use existing water, and air pump w/sponge filter (preferably one that has been in a tank for about a month), and an internal circulation pump for flow.
I wouldn't use dead rock.
PRIME is a good thing to have on hand for ammonia/nitrites.
Water changes only as needed to keep the bottom clean.

[alton]

Thanks Lorraine, I should of read this before I sent your PM back.

[Europhyllia]

The MAAST library has a HOB skimmer :)
I agree on the Prime.
How you approach the bacteria filtration thing depends on how much time you have before the fish arrives and how dear it is to you.
Got time: I'd pull a ratty old Polyfilter out of the main tank and plop that into the quarantine tank to cycle it with that
In a hurry and it's my all time favorite fish: I'd go with bottled bacteria. The kind i use is refrigerated and needs to be shipped overnight so that part makes it expensive.

[Scream311]

Hey Alton,

just to add my own experience (wasnt for 2 Months) but rather 2 1/2 weeks when i tore down my 210 and had to house my large fish untill the 240 was set up.

i had a 100 gallon Rubbermaid Tote filled it with Exisitng Water (kept them in the dark with very little light)
stuck some Existing Live Rock approx. 30lbs
dropped a Koralia 3 for circulation
and an Airstone with Sponge as Filtration,
did two 40% water changes over the course of 2 weeks
WITH 50% Newly Mixed Salt and 50% Pre Existing Tank Water form another tank

NO LIVESTOCK LOST !

Good Luck Friend

[hobogato]

i have a hang on tunze skimmer you could borrow if you need it alton

[kkiel02]

How are you planning on quarentining? Copper or hypo? I would just use water and a couple pieces of rock from your display. But if you use copper expect your pods and inverts to die off which may cause a small ammonia spike. I used to do daily water changes as my qt was fairly small you could probably get away with alot less since your tank will be bigger.

[alton]

Lorraine see you tom
Karin I bought some stuff from Louis
Scream thanks for the advice
Ace I will borrow the skimmer, let me know when I can come get it. Today after work will be perfect depending on your schedule
Kevin 20 minutes of fresh water bath and then half dose of of copper to start for a few weeks

[Europhyllia]

Karin I bought some stuff from Louis

That's not the stuff I was talking about ;)

[alton]

FYI I sent in a question to SeaChem about using Prime and Cupramine at the same time;

Hello Alton,

It is good practice not to use any water conditioners when treating with a copper based medication. Most conditioners, like Prime, are reducing agents and have the capability to reduce the medication to a toxic for of copper. To control water parameters, when medicating, it is better to do water changes as needed. Of course, you will want to treat replacement water to ensure the concentration stays at the appropriate level. Also, when treating with Cupramine, most ammonia test kits will give faulty readings caused by the amine complex used in this product. You will want to use a test that reads "free ammonia" not "total ammonia." ( Seachem's Ammonia Multitest and AmmoniaAlert will work well). Please let us know if you have any additional questions.

Product Support
1080

[Louis]

This is very true, here is a link to the information: http://www.seachem.com/support/FAQs/Cupramine.html#faq2

In summary: No prime, no Paraguard, no Formalin. It is better to use copper as the only medication. Remeber you can always FW dip fish for immediate relief of surface parasites. Make sure the water is dechlorinated if using tap and that PH and temperature are the same as your QT's water parameters before doing this.

Also, your hydrosponges are on their way and should be here in the next few days. They are excellent sources of biological filtration and are perfect for QT tanks. I have several II's, III's, IV's, and V's in both the regular and course (Pro) models. For heavier bio-loads I recommend using the Pro series as they do not clog up as easily as the regular sponges.

Hydrosponge Ratings:
II : 15-20 gal
III: 20-30 gal
IV: 30-55 gal
V: 55-100 gal

Any air pump can be used to power the sponge filters so long as they are rated for your size (height) aquarium.

I'll post back when the filters land.

Louis

[alton]

Well he/she took the freshwater bath very well. Thanks to all who borrowed or gave me something to help make this adventure easier. The only thing that surprised me was the temperature of the tank water so I added a heater and when the suction cups would not hold I remembered that Karin had given me a magentic holder setup and it fit and held the heater perfectly.
And Louis remember one of my sponges goes to Lorraine so you better hurry up and get them in!

[Louis]

Aye Aye Sir!

[BSJF]

glad to see the transfer went well. don't forget to have some spare saltwater on hand in case of an emergency.

[alton]

Thanks for the advice. I have 10 gallons made up
looks like ph is a little low. Can i buffer the top off water since i am using ro.di?

[hobogato]

alright, dont you think it is about time for a picture or two alton :)

[alton]

Okay he is a little camera shy plus I was using my phone camera

[Scream311]

oh NICE ! you know you could have just asked me to Fish Sit that Beautiful Magnifecent (http://www.maast.org/search?hl=en&q=Magnifecent&nfpr=1&sa=X) Creature :angel:

[alton]

As much time and money that I am sticking into him/her next time I might take you up on that offer