setting up a 10 g. QT Tank- suggestions?

[injunear]

I'm going to set up a QT tank and wondering if anyone has any suggestions to keep it simple.....

I purchased (on sale) a 10g rectangular tank, with cover and a HOB filter (marineland 100 with bio wheel). I also have a 150 watt heater (I know it's on the large size for this tank, but I had it already).

I read somwhere in these forums, or possibly elsewhere that keeping the bottom free of gravel, sand, would be best for a QT tank. True/False, or other?

Any other suggestions appreciated.

[sillypony]

Hello!

Yes keep the bottom empty. This way, you can see if your sick fish is passing waste, and if it is normal or not. It also makes it easier to clean.

I know some people throw a few fish in their qt to keep it cycled. Another option (what I do) is keep some extra filter material in the main tank (ie a sponge filter, or the filter mat'l from your HOB in the other tanks HOB). That way, I can just move that filter, fill up the tank, and I'm good to go.

As far as the heater, I'm not familiar with whats 'safe' and whats not as far as wattage. I do know that if you get a heater that is wayyy too big you'll cook your fish, but not what the definition of 'wayyy too big' is.


Good Luck

[ct-death]

I do 2 things:

1) I have a 8G RubberMaid bucket I wipe out in emergencies. I place an airhose and a heater in the bucket and do 90-100% WCs every day

2) For longer requirements I have a spare 10G tank with hood, lights and heater (no gravel, decorations, etc. in my QTs). I always run an extra whisper filter off of my 90G and simply throw this on the 10G! With only a single fish or 2 I have never seen any cycle-spikes ;)

[injunear]

Thanks- good suggestions so far!

I never thought of leaving the QT empty. My thoughts were to keep it cycled by adding ammonia but it sounds simpler to just keep the extra filter on the main tank and move it over to the 10g as needed.

[oscaremmy]

As far as the heater, I'm not familiar with whats 'safe' and whats not as far as wattage. I do know that if you get a heater that is wayyy too big you'll cook your fish, but not what the definition of 'wayyy too big' is. Good Luck

Yes, I put a big heater in a 5g bucket of water to get ready for a water change...luckily no fish in the bucket - even on lowest setting it shot up to 100 degrees!!! Get a heater just right for your tank size...its not like filters where you have to go one size up! That way, the temperature changes are more gradual and you'll have more time to respond if it starts to get too warm. If you are using the QT for sick fish, you will need to be able to raise temp slowly for some treatments to be more effective.

[msjinkzd]

I keep a tank empty and run and extra sponge filter or keep extra media in my AC filter to m ove to the qt filter when needed. I leave it bare bottom in order to monitor closely how the fish are eating and if they are defecating. I will sometimes put in simple decoration like plastic fake log or terra cotta pots that are inexpensive and can either be discarded or cleaned for re-use. I also will put black background on the back and bottom of the tank to make the fish feel more secure.

[jm1212]

it is probably better to take it down after every use and disinfect it using bleach. it will help make sure that no diseases get passed on to potentially healthy fish down the road.

[injunear]

Okay, sounds simple enough.....Now if I can only get my main tank to cycle, grrrr!

[doreenjoy]

In addition to the suggestions above, I have a bucket, siphon, and net all labeled "QT" that are only used with the QT tank, not the main tank.