QT for rent

[saabtech]

well folks i have gotten real lucky that the last 5 firefish i have added to my DT have not introduced a parasite into the display tank.
i really dont have enough room to set up my 29 gallon tank as a QT and i was wondering if there is anyone who offers their QT tank for rent or as a pubic service to other aquarist.?

[Gseclipse02]

quarantine tank ??? i have a 10g with metal stand that i use to use

feel free to come and borrow it

[corruption]

I think you just did!

As a side note -- a QT doesn't have to be run all the time, and in fact most people don't run them constantly. If you have a filter sponge of some sort in your sump, you can just use this to establish the QT when its needed. Otherwise, you can keep it stored away until the time comes

-Corruption

[saabtech]

ok i feel a little ignorant. i was under the impression that you should set up and cycle another tank with no to little substrate and maybe a couple small pieces of live rock and a filter system that would allow you to house a new addition for 3-4 weeks to assure its health before introduction into the DT.
how does one accomplish a quick QT that will support fish for 3-4 weeks. or am i just way off base here and its not as hard as i would have imagined.

but the main question was "is there anyone with a QT already established and would be willing to "house-sit" a fish for 3-4 weeks?"

[corruption]

ahh, I see your question now... The way to maintain a quarantine when using a colonized filter, instead of an established tank, is to do frequent, small water changes -- 5-15% every 2 days is good. Constantly siphon stuff off the bottom (a bare bottom really works best in quarantine situations) and keep up with maintenance... An air-driven corner sponge filter is enough to maintain an adequate quarantine with a strict regimen of water changes

An established tank is a fantastic way to QT new specimen in a controlled, stress-free environment -- but comes with the established biofiltration (rock, etc) and thus if problems DO arise, medicating is no longer an option.

-Corruption

[saabtech]

can you give a explanaion of "colonized filter" please?

[ErikH]

He means colonized with beneficial bacteria. The filter sponge will be full of life.

Although if you did medicate with the filter in I would assume you would want to throw that filter out ofter QT as not to transfer the medication (ie. copper) over to the display tank; thus killing off your precious corals and fish.

[Jordan N.]

can you give a explanaion of "colonized filter" please?

Run a filter attached to your main display for awhile, the denitrifying bacteria will colonize it over time. Then it's all set up when you attach to QT.

Edit: Blast, Erik beat me to it. Would it be nessary to getrid of the entire filter or just the media?

-Jordan

[ErikH]

I would say just the filter depending on the media. Most media won't leach chemicals back in the water, but it's probably better practice to just replace the media if you plan on putting it back in the display.

[saabtech]

thanks for the replies.
dont really plan on medication but you never know. all i really wanted was to avoid parasitic contamination of the DT with the new additions.
whats the biggest fish one should house in a 10 gallon for 3-4 weeks?
and in a 20 gallon long?
and in a 29 gallon?
(mostly in the tang family)