View Full Version : 10gal QT tank
skooby
11-03-2003, 9:14 PM
About how many or how many inches of fish can you put in a 10 qt tank?
Guy W
11-03-2003, 10:21 PM
Generally you only put 1 fish in a QT tank at a time. In a 10 gallon I would say definatly only one, and if it's going to be there for more than 24 hours no more than 3 or 4 inches.
reefpicker
11-03-2003, 11:52 PM
Hi,
If there is a rule of thumb that I find confusing and misleading is the X inch of fish per Y gallons....
It will depend on your filtration and how long you plan to keep the animal in there. Also, you dont want the animal to feel restricted and stressed...
Many people have 10g tanks running with an active biofilter just in case they need to move any fish from their main tank into the q-tank.
I would say that if you have good filtration and you are only keeping the animal for 5 days, you could keep a pair or more of clowns, or a couple of damsels (although they might fight), or even one yellow tang...
If you keep more than one fish, I would provide at least some form of coverage for them. If you do not want live rock in this qtank, you can use an adequate sized piece of PVC pipe....
skooby
11-04-2003, 7:44 AM
Thanks. I have a mechanical wisper filter, my QT tank has been running 2 years. I acclimated black freshwater mollies in it to keep the bio going. Worked Great. My main tanks are a 55, and a 75. I have been very lucky with my 55 cause I haven't ever had to us the qt tank. My 75 I set up 1 week ago. I am getting a yellow tang, a blue tang and another sailfin tang today, and i am not sure how to qt them. I have 4 clowns ,3 damsels, and othere assorted items in my 55 right know. I also have 6 yellow tails for my 75 to get started. I havent added fish for 2 years. Only lost 3. I think I will just add them to the main tank. What ya think?
OrionGirl
11-04-2003, 8:55 AM
I think 3 tangs in a 75 gallon tank is asking for trouble--those fish need a lot of swimming room, and 2 of them get much larger than a 75 can support. They'll be stressed on introduction and fighting, in addition to the sudden increased demand on the bacteria probably causing a spike, and the fish will likely get sick. Sorry, but it sounds like a bad plan to me.
A sailfin tang is the largest of tangs, at a max size of over 15 inches (albeit at a very old age), with a recommended tank size of 135gal according to Marine Fishes by Scott W. Michael. But other than that it's the most peaceful tang and will most likely get bullied by the other two to the point of extreme stress and probably will get sick or die.
I wouldn't keep 1, let alone 3 tangs in a 75 gallon tank. Most people will say it's ok, and it's really not a horrible sized tank for a 75 but tangs are fragile, very active, and most are pretty aggressive. I wouldn't recommend it.
I would reconsider your stocking plans.
reefpicker
11-04-2003, 11:51 AM
Hi,
I have never tried that combination of fish before, but you may be able to get the sailfin and the yellow or blue together in the 75. However, I would not mix the blue and the yellow.
You could split the three between your two show tanks.
However, as for q-tank, you will need more than one tank or no q at all.
I would be careful with that many damsels. What are you planning to do with them?
As for the size attained by the sailfin, I do not think it will be a problem for a 75g tank.
The size and growth rate of this fish in captivity will never be the same as in the wild. I respect Scott Michael but he sometimes overstates tank size requirement, mostly because he is thinking about community reef tanks. So, it will depend on what you have. Yellow tail damsels, specially 6 of them, does not sound that great of a tank budy for this fish.
I would also introduce the sailfin first. It is a shy fish as tangs are concerned, althought once it gets the "this is my tank" feeling he can become obnoxious. I think the yellow tang is more of a bully than this fish. IME
skooby
11-04-2003, 1:25 PM
All three of these tangs are small, and after my 75 gets cycled I planned on moving one. I agree, but they will only be 2 inches in size. I have seen alot of tanks that are 55 that have a blue tang sailfin, and a yellow together I guess I will just try.
reefpicker
11-04-2003, 8:30 PM
I have also seen them, but they where all display tanks. Often tanks at hotels, pet shops and even aquariums, are of the "disposable fish" variety. If a fish dies, they throw it out and replace it with a new one, almost an identical one... I know because I have talk to several people who either maintain or work closely with the maintainance of such tanks... So do not be fooled...
Having said that, let me point out also that the more fish you have in a tank, the less aggression you have. But you have to risk over crowding your tank in only to reach such a point where the aggression will be disipated by overpopulation.
The fact that they are small now does not mean they will be small in a few months... I know you know that, but keep in mind they may grow faster than what you anticipate..... Especially if they are that small...
BTW You are getting this fish from your LFS?
I would be very reserved about putting 3 tangs in a 75, I wouldn't put more than 1 in a 55 (well I wouldn't put any in a 55 but I wouldn't recommend more than 1).
There are a miriade (sp?) of reasons why I wouldn't but besides the size constraints and aggressiveness issues, tangs are constant grazers that need a supply of spirulina pretty much all the time or they will undoubtably develop HLLE, and having that much spirulina in your tank isn't going to help water quality at all. A lot gets broken off and sinks or goes down the filter, and if not collected will shoot the Nitrates up in no time, the end result being a healthy supply of nusance algea plauging your tank.
I'm trying to be helpful, and I'm sure you really like these fish, but consider a MUCH larger tank or not getting them. If I see a post in the future about how your tangs have holes and open wounds running down their bodies or an Ich breakout I won't feel bad in saying it was likely to happen.
Don't take this as me giving you a hard time or being an a$$, I'm just trying to recognize this as a poor decision.
reefpicker
11-05-2003, 9:09 PM
I have a tang in a 55g... I have had it for years... In fact, I had several tangs and none of them died of HLLE... I always fed a variety of food but only lately I have been feeding algae. There is no clear connection between HLLE and food.
I also do not think that keeping a tang is a problem in terms of food requirements. They do eat a lot, but a 55g with enough LR and adequately balanced should be sufficient to support them.
The two problems with tangs that usually preclude them from being a good fish for a small tank are the fact that they like to swim a lot, and the fact thay they are mildly aggressive.
A yellow tang is a beautiful fish, which swims gracefuly and has a captivating personality. Not exactly a beginer's fish, but a most-have for any reef tank...
skooby
11-06-2003, 8:13 PM
I have had my 75 setup for two years and have enjoyed and researched a great deal. I would not say I am totally inexperienced. I put my yellow tang and sailfin together in the 55 and they are buddies. I put the sailfin in first and then introduced the yellow a few hours later. I left the lights off for about 12 hours, and it was the easiest introduction I have ever done. They are very happy together and the only one that has a small attitude is the velvet damsel. I put the blue tang in the Qt until my 75 in real stable, it is doing well. The yellow puts the damsel in his place, and he dont even look at the sailfin. SO Far so good. I think it is going to be fine. They are eating vegies delights like pigs. When my 75 in cycled I am going to put the sail in it. Here are a few pictures.
skooby
11-06-2003, 8:14 PM
another
As those tangs get older, turf wars will occur. It is inevitable. Tangs are not know for being tolerant tank mates. Guy is correct in his predictions I'm afraid.
Be wise and listen to those that have been there and done that a few times already. It is a sign of being a responsible keeper. We've all done dumb and impulsive things with our tanks, the trick is not repeating them ;)
skooby
11-07-2003, 7:29 AM
The sailfin will be put in my 75, My LFS guy showed me his personal tank and his sailfin is huge . He has had it for 4 years in a 75 and it is awesome. I will do the responsible thing and put the fish in a bigger tank.
A 75 is still not big enough for an adult sailfin. A 75 is nothing more than a fat 55. Sailfins need a tall tank with lots of swimming room. The 135 previously suggested would be the minimum to consider.
reefpicker
11-08-2003, 1:20 PM
When I see posts like this it makes me think of many many things...
Will a fish get old enough to outgrow his/her tank? if it does not, and dies before "its time", are we being cruel to it? Should we return all our fish to the ocean because they will be happier there?
If someone buys a fish, which has the potential to outgrow the tank, should I tell them to return it?
Anyway, enough rambling...
I advised this person that tangs are aggressive and that because of shape differences, his best bet was to mix the sailfin with another tang. IME Yellow tangs are mild mannered fish, only partially aggressive until they either outgrow their tankmates and become more aggressive or a more aggressive fish arrive.
Tanks are biological system, thus they are subject to changes in the social structure of its population. Corax is right, it is possible that this fish will fight... However, the tank-keeper should be always looking at his/her fish and determining the level of aggression in the tank.
I do it with all my tanks, both in home and at work. I am always looking at this social interactions. They are ever-changing.
If your sailfin ever outgrows your tank, you can sell it back to your LFS. Someone with more budget can buy it.
There are very large fish which should only be kept in really big tanks. This fish are for the aquarist with money or for research and public aquariums... IMO Tangs are not included in this group.
My tang is happy in its 55g. It has been there for at least two years, perhaps three. Scott Michael is someone I respect, but this is something I just cant agree. I have to check his book again, but if he is saying to keep yellow tangs in 75 ... I dont know... Maybe it was a mistake ;)
I admit that I can not talk about the sailfin with a lot of first hand info. I did not keep my fish for very long. Who kill my fish? It was not a tang.. I had a pair of spawning clownfish... The lights went out because of a hurricaine... My tank was without lights for a few days... Clowns kill it...
Which brings me to another point... There is more to consider when you talk about aggressive fish... Spawning clownfish for example, are very aggressive fish. The female will kill anything that comes close to its clutch.
...and the other lesson learn from this experience is: anything that alters the balance or even physical aspects of your tank can and will alter the social structure of your tank. After this event, I was more careful with keeping the tank when I had long blackouts..
Sorry for the long post, but I had to really make my point... I am not inexperienced. I am not an irresponsible fish keeper ;) Maybe I just have a different point of view, as a scientist-in-training and as a student with limited budget. I see a post that says 135g as a tank recomendation and I say, "wow!", not me. I dont have that kind of money....
Oh, if I only had that much.. A 350g would do fine, thank you.
(and BTW Corax, I do understand your point, I only hope you understand mine ;) )
OrionGirl
11-09-2003, 8:27 PM
The way I look at it, putting tangs in inappropriate sized tanks is like getting a horse for an apartment. Will a horse fit in an apartment? Sort of...But not comfortably. Does that mean you shouldn't get a horse, if that's the best you can provide for it? Yes.
skooby
11-09-2003, 9:27 PM
I have to say , I didnt think this would start a debate like putting a kid in a box, but it did. My yellow tang and sailfin are getting along great, they are not darting they are swimming peacefully, and I think they will be just fine until my bigger tank is ready. They are not running into anything everyone is very peacefull.
Corax
11-09-2003, 10:13 PM
skooby, that is pretty normal.. But the concern is that tangs, much like triggers, are very unpredictable critters... By the time you realize you got a problem, you'll probably have a dead or seriously injured fish. There is someone on Reff Central that has in his quote something along the lines of "strive for the optimal environment, not the minimum" and right now you are striving for LESS than the minimum.
It's your fish, yer going to do what you want, so I'm not going to bother trying to convince you otherwise. The lessons will become self-evident in time, you'll just hafta learn em the hard way.
Good luck..
skooby
11-10-2003, 7:55 AM
Ok thanks for being nice about it. My 75 is allmost cycled so they will have alot of swimming room.