Quarantine Tanks

texasfootball21 · 08-24-2007, 06:10 PM

I may soon start a 36 gallon corner tank, which would be my first marine tank. The thought of spending a bunch of money on a tank like this then having all the inhabbitants die from one disease or another really frightens me, especially after reading a few horror stories of all inhabitants in a tank catastrophically die after a new fish or invert is added. For this reason I have come to the conclusion that I should set up a quarantine tank when I set up my main tank. I was thinking a cheap kit at walmart should do the job. Like a ten gallon that comes with lights and a filter, nothing fancy. Would this be okay? And is a QT even necessary for a tank this size?

I do have some questions about this. Do I need to leave the tank constantly running or could I just fill it with water from the main tank, and add some decorations before I plan on buying something new for the tank? What all should be in a QT? And do all things, even something small like small hermits and snails need to be quarantined?

Any thing else that I should know about a QT please state.

Thanks.

Psychojam · 08-24-2007, 07:42 PM

A link that might be helpful. Click Here

**CarmieJo** · 08-24-2007, 08:14 PM

James, good link!

TX, yes a QT tank is absolutely necessary no matter the size of your DT. Rather than giving you redundant info let us know what questions you have after reading the article.

texasfootball21 · 08-24-2007, 08:43 PM

I have just a few questions. I think I like the hybrid idea. I would use water from the main tank, correct? And would you suggest lighting the tank? Would it be beneficial to run a cheap power filter in the tank as well? The 10 gallon kit I was considering comes with lights and a power filter. Thanks, and any other tips are welcome.

**CarmieJo** · 08-24-2007, 09:42 PM

Sure the power filter would be good for circulation. I would recommend a tank with fluorescent lights because the incandescent type run hot. I just keep my QT tank on a shelf in the garage and fill it from my DT when I need it. You will need to do a water change every day or two.